Borei Class Submarines
Russia’s Navy is building its underwater capabilities with the construction of new strategic missile Borey-A class submarines and multipurpose nuclear-powered Yasen-M class submarines, which are equipped with hypersonic Zircon missile systems.
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov announced the move in a statement about the country’s military modernisation. The move is an important step in Russia’s ongoing naval expansion, which aims to increase its naval capability following the shifting trends of global security.
Belousov emphasised that the ships, equipped with the most sophisticated submarine technology, aimed to enhance Russia’s strategic and tactical presence in the ocean. The report underscores Moscow’s resolve to establish a formidable navy, even without specifying the deployment timeline.
Borey-A submarines are an upgrade of the older Borey-class design, a class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines that are to be a cornerstone of Russia’s sea-based nuclear deterrence.
These vessels will be able to carry intercontinental ballistic missiles, the Bulava, with an estimated range of more than 5,000 miles and multiple warhead capability. Naval analysts say the Borey-A class has enhanced stealth technology and hull design that will render it quieter and harder to detect than previous models.
The Russian Defence Ministry reported that these submarines form a vital part of the country’s nuclear triad, complemented by ground-based missiles and strategic bombers. With the existing number of Borey-class submarines operational, the arrival of the updated Borey-A models represents a commitment to building this capability.
Yasen-M arsenal
At the same time, the Yasen-M subs bring a new dimension to Russian naval strategy. The attack submarines are multi-role and nuclear-powered, and they can attack surface ships, submarines, and land targets with conventional and hypersonic missiles.
The Zircon missile, highlighted by Belousov, is a standout in the Yasen-M arsenal. Flying at up to Mach 9—approximately 7,000 miles per hour—the hypersonic cruise missile is being hailed by Russian officials as a naval war game-changer.
Its ability to turn during flight and travel a distance of approximately 620 miles makes it difficult for current defence systems to intercept, according to military analysts who have experience with the technology. With its sophisticated sonar arrays and low-magnetic steel, the Yasen-M submarine’s stealthy design further enhances its ability to remain undetected.
Belousov’s remarks are within a broader Russian government discourse of strengthening its military in the face of perceived Western threats from the United States and its NATO allies. “The deployment of these advanced submarines proves our will to ensure national security in an increasingly complex world,” he stated, framing the development as an approach to strategic parity.
Although he did not specify how many submarines have been commissioned or what their individual operational statuses are, his statement is consistent with earlier Russian state media estimates that some dozens of Borey-A and Yasen-M hulls are in some state of construction or ready for delivery at Severodvinsk’s Sevmash shipyard, a leading Russian submarine-manufacturing facility.
To put things into perspective, Russian naval modernisation has been the number one priority since the early 2000s, after decades of inattention in the wake of the Soviet collapse. Budget cuts severely impacted the Borey programme, which began in the 1980s, but President Vladimir Putin revived it.
Yuri Dolgorukiy
In 2013, the first Borey-class submarine, Yuri Dolgorukiy, came into service, followed by a steady stream of others. The Yasen class, though, was the result of a design programme initiated in the days of the Cold War, and the lead ship, the Severodvinsk, entered service roughly around the same time.
There is also an advanced version, the Yasen-M, the first of which is the Kazan, ordered in 2021. Russian authorities have scheduled the construction of at least eight Yasen-M submarines, albeit with occasional delays due to technical and financial setbacks.
The Yasen-M submarine’s Zircon missile has specifically drawn international defence experts’ attention. Russia first tested the missile from a surface warship in 2020 and then from a submarine, the Severodvinsk, in 2021. The two tests carried out in the White and Barents Seas were successful, as per Russia’s military, with the nation’s military stating the missile had successfully struck its targets.
The Zircon missile’s speed and agility raise doubts about whether U.S. and NATO defences, like Aegis, can respond effectively. These concerns focus especially on the Aegis systems deployed on American warships, which may struggle against such high-speed threats.
A 2021 report from the Royal United Services Institute warned that Zircon’s velocity reduces response time to mere seconds. This delay could overwhelm the ship’s defences before countermeasures can properly activate or track the incoming threat.
Together, Borey-A and Yasen-M
Still, Western analysts urge caution, as Russia hasn’t shared full data from actual combat use outside of Ukraine. Moscow has not yet made public any comprehensive test results conducted under real combat conditions. Beyond technology, Russia’s submarines provide strategic depth, augmenting global reach with their nuclear-capable designs.
The Borey-A class strengthens Russia’s nuclear deterrent and allows long-distance power projection from beneath the sea. These submarines can stay submerged for months and strike targets on other continents if nuclear war ever erupts.
This endurance ensures a reliable second-strike capability, reinforcing Russia’s core deterrence doctrine. Meanwhile, the Yasen-M class serves a different purpose by enhancing Russia’s conventional strike capabilities in naval warfare.
It can accurately target warships or coastal defences, giving Russia more tactical flexibility in conflict zones. By adding hypersonic missiles, they bypass slower enemy defences, making them harder to intercept.
Together, Borey-A and Yasen-M submarines extend Russian influence across contested waters like the Arctic and North Atlantic. For years, Russia’s navy has aimed to assert control in these strategic maritime regions.
U.S. officials have acknowledged the threat, noting Russia’s submarines are becoming more advanced and harder to track. Admiral Charles Richard called the Yasen-class “highly capable” and warned they could seriously disrupt American naval operations.
Dynamic Mongoose
The Pentagon has increased funding for anti-submarine warfare, focusing on sonar buoys and unmanned underwater vehicles. However, it hasn’t revealed any technology that can directly counter Russia’s hypersonic Zircon missile.
The Virginia-class submarines are stealthy and manoeuvrable but lack hypersonic weapons, highlighting a gap in current U.S. capabilities. This shortage has sparked debates among military analysts and defence strategists across Washington.
“We’re watching carefully for these trends,” said a Department of Defence spokesperson, refusing to give more details. Meanwhile, NATO has been closely tracking Russia’s expanding naval activities in the Arctic and North Atlantic.
To improve readiness, NATO has increased exercises like Dynamic Mongoose, focused on countering enemy submarines. Norway, which borders Russian waters, is especially concerned about the advanced Yasen-M class submarines.
These vessels threaten major Arctic sea routes, heightening regional security concerns. In 2022, Norway’s Intelligence Service warned that Zircon missiles could shift the power balance in the Arctic. Still, they suggested the threat may not cause immediate conflict unless further escalations occur. Russia continues its own naval drills, including high-profile Zircon missile tests in the Mediterranean Sea.
These exercises are part of Moscow’s strategy to project influence far beyond its borders. Building nuclear submarines is expensive, especially with high-tech weapons and under Western sanctions.
Russia’s economy, already hit by falling oil revenues, struggles to maintain these defence projects. Despite Sevmash’s long history, the shipyard has faced delays delivering earlier Yasen-class submarines. Analysts estimate each Yasen-M submarine costs over $1.5 billion, with Borey-A submarines likely priced similarly.
Conclusion
Russian officials have stayed silent, but Moscow consistently spends heavily on defence—20% of its federal budget. This figure comes from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which tracks global military spending trends.
As Russia deploys more submarines, the world is watching closely for signs of shifting naval strategy. The Borey-A and Yasen-M submarines offer both nuclear deterrence and flexible strike options in regional conflicts.
Together with their missile systems, they form a dual-purpose force designed to threaten and adapt. Whether this growth changes global security depends on how these submarines are used—and how others respond.
For now, though, Belousov’s comment clearly signals Russia’s serious commitment to sea power. His words reflect a mindset shaped by naval pride and competition with global rivals.
How other countries react—militarily or diplomatically—will shape the future security landscape. The consequent back-and-forth of moves and countermoves could dominate headlines in the coming years.
References
- Russian Ministry of Defence – mil.ru
- TASS Russian News Agency – tass.com
- The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) – rusi.org
- Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) – sipri.org
- U.S. Department of Defense – defence.gov
- NATO Official Website – nato.int
- Sevmash Shipyard – sevmash.ru
- Norwegian Intelligence Service – forsvaret.no
- The Barents Observer – thebarentsobserver.com
- Russian State Media (RIA Novosti) – ria.ru
