At Sevmash in Severodvinsk, a formal ceremony marked the withdrawal and launch of the strategic missile submarine Emperor Alexander III from the slipway, signaling another milestone for the Borey family. The vessel stands as the seventh ship of project 955 and the fourth of project 955A (09552) Borey-A within Russia’s strategic fleet. The keel was originally laid on December 18, 2015, bearing serial number 207, and the submarine has since progressed through the final stages of construction to become an active unit ready for deployment. By late 2023, RPK SN was anticipated to join the Pacific Fleet, targeting Krasheninnikov Bay on the Kamchatka Peninsula as its home port in the completion phase of its integration. This program is managed by the Central Marine Design Bureau Rubin, which has overseen the design lineage of this generation of strategic submarines and is responsible for the project’s modernization path within the Borey line. [citation attribution: Sevmash press materials]
The Emperor Alexander III is described as a newer variant within the Borei family, boasting improvements in several core systems compared with earlier Borei-class submarines. The modernization emphasizes reductions in acoustic signatures, enhanced maneuverability, deeper operating capability, and more precise weapons control. These enhancements aim to strengthen stealth, survivability, and situational awareness while maintaining formidable launch capabilities. [citation attribution: official program notes]
In terms of specifications, the submarine presents a surface displacement of about 14,720 tons and a submerged displacement around 24,000 tons. Its length measures approximately 170 meters, with a width near 13.5 meters and a draft of about 10 meters. Underwater, it can reach speeds up to approximately 29 knots and achieve depths approaching 480 meters. The crew complements roughly 107 personnel, including 55 officers. [citation attribution: official specifications documents]
Armament for the project 955A RPK SN includes the Bulava ballistic missile system, carrying 16 SLBMs. Each Bulava missile, known as the R-30 or SS-NX-30, is capable of delivering multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, with a projected range well beyond eight thousand kilometers. This missile system remains the backbone of Russia’s strategic deterrent on this class of submarine. Alongside missiles, the hull features six bow 533 mm torpedo tubes, with a maximum combat load of 40 torpedoes, rocket torpedoes, or mines. The boat can also deploy USET-80 and UGST torpedoes, as well as RPK-6M Vodopad anti-ship missiles. An additional six disposable, non-reloadable 533 mm REPS-324 Barrier launchers provide passive sonar countermeasure capability from the superstructure, mirroring features seen on earlier project submarines. Each countermeasure suite is supported by six expendable sonar devices such as MG-104 Launch or MG-114 Beryl. [citation attribution: technical data sheets]
The Borey-A program continues to be recognized for its potential to evolve through modernization, offering a pathway to sustain growth in Russia’s strategic forces even as later hulls enter service. Observers note that the Borey-A fleet could remain a central element of Russia’s deterrent posture, with modernization and maintenance programs designed to extend service life and maintain combat readiness. In contrast, the United States has embarked on a modernization cycle to replace the Ohio-class fleet with the upcoming Columbia-class submarines, reflecting parallel strategic recalibrations in different naval powers. [citation attribution: defense analysis briefings]
Current composition of Russia’s naval strategic nuclear forces includes a mix of submarines from multiple projects and fleets. The Pacific Fleet operates several Borey and Borey-A units, including the leadership of project 955 and 955A submarines that form the backbone of the strategic force in that region. The Northern Fleet has seen other classes, including a few 667BDRM and the 941U class, in varying states of readiness or decommissioning. The steady emergence of new Borey and Borey-A submarines underscores Russia’s intent to preserve a robust underwater leg for its strategic deterrence well into the coming decades. [citation attribution: defense force composition records]