Russia floats out Ulyanovsk nuclear submarine: What makes the Project 885M Yasen-M special
Russia has floated out Ulyanovsk, its latest Project 885M Yasen-M nuclear-powered attack submarine, marking another milestone in the country’s efforts to modernise its undersea fleet. The submarine was launched from the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk and will now undergo fitting out, harbour and sea trials before being commissioned into the Russian Navy.Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Aleksandr Moiseyev said Ulyanovsk is expected to join the Northern Fleet after completing its trial programme. According to Sevmash Director General Mikhail Budnichenko, the submarine will undergo mooring, sea and state acceptance trials before its planned delivery to the Russian Navy in December 2027.The float-out ceremony was attended by senior Russian government, naval and defence industry officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Trutnev and representatives of the Malakhit Design Bureau, which designed the Project 885M Yasen-M submarine.Project 885M Yasen-MThe Project 885M Yasen-M is Russia’s latest class of nuclear-powered guided missile attack submarines, developed by the Malakhit Design Bureau and built at the Sevmash shipyard. It is an upgraded version of the original Project 885 Yasen, incorporating improved stealth, advanced sonar systems, greater automation and a reduced acoustic signature.The programme traces its origins to the late Soviet era, but construction of the lead boat, Severodvinsk, was delayed after the collapse of the Soviet Union.The Yasen-M was developed as a multirole successor to several Soviet-era nuclear submarine designs, combining the hunter-killer role of the Akula-class with the long-range cruise missile strike capability of the Oscar II-class into a single platform. Unlike its predecessors, the class combines anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and long-range land-attack capabilities in a single multirole platform, reducing the need for separate specialised submarine classes.Compared with the original Project 885 Yasen, the 885M features a shorter and redesigned hull, greater onboard automation, a reduced crew, improved acoustic quieting and upgraded sonar and combat systems. The submarine is powered by a nuclear reactor that allows virtually unlimited range, limited primarily by crew endurance and supplies.About the submarineThe submarine measures about 130 metres in length, and has a submerged displacement of around 13,800 tonnes. The Yasen-M has a crew of about 64 personnel and can achieve a submerged speed of over 30 knots (Around 56 km/h).In terms of firepower, the Yasen-M is one of the most heavily armed nuclear-powered attack submarines in service. It features eight vertical launch system (VLS) modules capable of carrying Kalibr land-attack cruise missiles and P-800 Oniks anti-ship missiles, while newer boats are also expected to operate the 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missile.Complementing its missile arsenal are 10 bow-mounted 533 mm torpedo tubes, which can launch heavyweight torpedoes, anti-submarine missiles and naval mines. This diverse weapons suite enables the submarine to engage enemy submarines, surface combatants and land-based targets during a single deployment, giving it significant operational flexibility across multiple mission profiles.
