The Yasen family of nuclear-powered submarines is expected to expand in the Russian fleet, with plans calling for a total of 12 ships after starting construction on three additional units. A source close to the Russian Navy, cited by TASS, indicated the move to grow the backbone of the Yasen line through new laying of submarines in the near term.
Officials and analysts note that the future flotilla will likely feature a balanced distribution between Russia’s northern and Pacific commands. The ongoing and planned build program suggests that, once the existing vessels are fully integrated, there could be six Yasen or Yasen-M class boats stationed in each of these strategic fleets. This outlook emerges from informal statements about the project, and while TASS has not issued an official confirmation, the pattern of construction and deployment has long been a focal point for discussions about Russia’s submarine capabilities.
As of now, the Russian Navy operates three Yasen or Yasen-M class submarines in active duty: Severodvinsk, Kazan, and Novosibirsk. In parallel, the fourth unit of this project, Krasnoyarsk, continues to approach readiness for service. Reports and maritime observers have tracked Krasnoyarsk’s progress closely, with expectations that it would be handed over to the fleet as part of the modernization wave surrounding the Yasen family.
Earlier estimates and naval press coverage also referenced Tanit-style timelines and transfer windows, with discussions about Arkhangelsk entering active service on a near-term basis. The broader narrative around these submarines ties into Russia’s strategic emphasis on flexible, long-endurance platforms capable of multi-mission operations, from precision deterrence to anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare.
Beyond the ships themselves, observers have noted a cultural and logistical shift in how the navy coordinates construction, testing, and deployment of high-tech ballistic and multipurpose submarine platforms. The introduction of new submarines sometimes coincides with national postage and recognition cycles, underscoring the emphasis placed on these assets as symbols of maritime capability and scientific achievement. In recent years, such public-facing tokens have appeared in various forms, highlighting the navy’s ongoing modernization and the government’s focus on deterrence and forward presence across crucial sea lanes.