Russia's 3 Recent SSBN Types & Warheads - SSBN Program 1

Diagram 1. Russian submarines (Artwork courtesy pinterest(dot)com) much larger here.

 For Russian submarine Diagram 1:

-  At top of is the retired Typhoon class (48,000 tons (submerged), 175m long, 20 RSM-52 Sturgeon

   SLBMs). 

-  Second from bottom a Delta IV 667BDRM "Delfin" (18,200 tons (submerged), 167m, 

   16 R-29RMU Sineva SLBMs).

-  Bottom is a current/being introduced Borei/Borey class (24,000 tons (submerged), 170m,

   16-20 RSM-56 Bulava SLBMs).

Russia’s strategic nuclear missile forces, including SSBNs, have the highest priority. The SSBN program has moved from:

- disruption with the collapse of the Soviet Union from the early 1990s, with attendant plunge in

  funding, cessation of patrols, and related loss of design, managerial and construction experience

- to gradual rebuilding since 2010.

Since the 1970s Russia's SSBN program relied on the 43 Delta class (total Is, IIs, IIIs and IVs) built. About ten Delta IIIs/IVs are still in use.:

From the 1980s to 2000s Russia temporarily deployed six huge Typhoon class. Their profligate use of high cost Titanium and large size made them unsustainably expensive to build and operate within Russia's limited defence budget. The Typhoon class suffered short service (on average launched in mid 1980s but began to be withdrawn from service from the mid 1990s).

Diagram 2. The Borei/Borey SSBN
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From the 2010s Russia's submarine budget and organisation have settled down sufficiently to introduce the Borei class submarines (Diagram 2. above) mounting 16 new Bulava SLBMs. The Boreis will steadily replace the Deltas.

First of class Borei K-535 Yuriy Dolgorukiy (Diagram 2.) was launched in 2008 and commissioned 2013. Two more Boreis have been commissioned, which now serve in the Pacific Fleet (out of Vilyuchinsk SSBN Base). Ten in all are envisaged, possibly with the final seven (Borei "II" class) mounting an increased 20 Bulava SLBMs). 

Some Bulava SLBM features are similar to the Topol-M ICBM, but the Bulava been developed both lighter and more sophisticated with comparable range, similar CEP, high maneuverability and similar warhead configurations. Bulava has a declared START throw weight of 1150 kg to 9,500km. Bulavas can be launched from an inclined position, allowing the Boreis to fire them while moving. Bulavas  have a low, harder to shoot down, flight trajectory, and due to this could be classified as quasi-ballistic missiles. Bulavas possess advanced defense capabilities making them resistant to missile-defense systems. If 6 MIRVs are carried this is more than the 3 or 4 carried on the Delta's R-29 SLBMs (see RUSSIAN SSBN/SLBM TABLE below).

See the New START site for maximum numbers of missiles + bombers = warheads numbers.

RUSSIAN SSBN/SLBM TABLE (modified from Russian sources. As at April 2016.)

Strategic submarines	Number of subs	Number of SLBMs and their type	Warheads	Total warheads
Project 667BDR (Delta III)	3	32 R-29R (SS-N-18)	3	96
Project 667BDRM (Delta IV)	6[1]	80 R-29RM (SS-N-23)	4	320
Project 941 (Typhoon)	1[2]	-	-	-
Project 955 (Borei/Borey)	3	48 R-30 Bulava	6	288
Total	12	160	4 (average)	704

[1] One submarine is in overhaul. Its missiles are not accounted for in the total.

[2] One Typhoon (first of class Dmitri Donskoi) was refitted as a Bulava missile testbed. It is not counted in the total number of operational submarines.

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Pete