The world’s largest submarine was built during the Cold War period

The Cold War period in the early 1980s fostered a dynamic development of military power in both the United States and the Soviet Union. It was at this time that the Project 941 Akula submarine was built, which was given the nickname Typhoon by NATO nomenclature . Not without reason. It is one of the most impressive achievements of naval engineering.

First submarines

The first submarine designs were already created by Leonardo da Vinci, and some of the earliest designs of this type date back to the 17th century. The real breakthrough, however, was during the Cold War, during which both American and Soviet engineers conducted an arms race not only in the air and on land, but also underwater. It was then that the largest and, for a very long time, most modern units of this type began to be built, in service until the early 21st century.

The importance of the navy during the Cold War

The experience of using submarines during World War II, both as means of transport and as tools of warfare, demonstrated the tactical potential of these designs. At the same time, an arms race was beginning – by the end of the war, it was the US Navy that significantly dominated the capabilities of the enemy. In response to this advantage, the USSR began to expand its own naval forces, including submarines.

The diesel-powered submarines in use up to that point had considerable design limitations – their peculiarities necessitated frequent surfacing to recharge the batteries that powered the ship underwater. An important strategic turn, therefore, was the 1952 decision to develop and build nuclear-powered submarines. Within a short time, the Soviet fleet of vessels propelled in this way outnumbered that of the United States.

Typhoon

The Typhoon-class ships , also known as Project 941 Acura, entered service in the 1980s. They were distinguished primarily by their enormous size – they were almost 173 meters long, over 23 meters wide, reached a draft of up to 400 meters, and their displacement was expected to reach as much as 48,000 tons. The first ship of this type was a response to the American Ohio-class submarines. Their impressive operational capabilities – they were intended to carry 20 R-39-type SLBM ballistic missiles – aroused both awe and concern among Western countries.

Comfortable colossus

Compared to other military vessels of its type, the Acura had an interior designed for long-term patrol missions, with ergonomically arranged crew quarters and an advanced life support system. Nuclear reactor-based propulsion systems allowed almost unlimited operations in deep ocean depths, and integrated R-39 ballistic missile technology made it possible to strike targets thousands of kilometers away.

Reasons for withdrawal from service

Although such ships were technologically advanced, they soon proved to be very expensive to maintain. The need for modernization, increasingly stringent regulations and a change in policy made it no longer profitable to operate such colossi by the early 21st century. They were gradually replaced by more modern and efficient ships.

The last and also the largest of these, the Dmitry Donskoy, served as an experimental unit, serving, among other things, to test R-30 Bulava ballistic missiles. According to the announcement, it was to remain in service until 2026, but was eventually withdrawn on February 6, 2023. It is currently planned to be converted into a museum ship.

Largest submarines in active service. The backbone of Russia’s strategic fleet

Officially, Russian Project 955-A ( Borya type) vessels are considered the largest submarines in active service. These state-of-the-art designs, created to provide strategic deterrence, are distinguished by their advanced technical solutions, high level of operational efficiency and carefully refined structural layout. Measuring about 170 meters in length and reaching a displacement of 24,000 tons, they form the backbone of Russia’s strategic forces.

The longest in the world – K-329 Belgorod

Although Borya-type ships are now the backbone of the Russian submarine fleet, the longest vessel remaining in active service is the K-329 Belgorod. Based on a Project 949A hull (Antey series, NATO: Oscar II), it measures as much as 184 meters in length – 11 meters more than the 2023 decommissioned. Dmitry Donskoy. It was officially accepted into active service in 2022. However, the project is attracting great interest not only for its size and technological sophistication. It is also a vessel that can, according to various sources, carry Poseidon torpedoes on its deck.

The Poseidon 2M93 is an autonomous strategic torpedo, equipped with nuclear warheads with an estimated strike power of 2 to as much as 100 megatons – depending on the source. This more than 20-meter-long unmanned underwater vehicle was developed as a response to the development of US missile defense systems, with a view to breaking through defenses and rocketing targets with tremendous force, including by creating an artificial tsunami of radioactive contamination that could pose a serious threat to coastal cities, ports or naval bases. Such dangerous weapons in the wrong hands become a cause for concern. According to the official position of the Russian side, however, Belgorod is to be used only for scientific purposes.

To summarize

The story of the largest submarine, the Typhoon-class ship, exemplifies how innovative technology develops in extreme times of the arms race. Project 941 Aculean not only set new standards in submarine design, but also left a lasting mark in military history with its impressive design, unprecedented tactical capacity and strategic significance. Although the days of the colossus are gradually giving way to modern, more compact designs, the Typhoon ‘s legacy continues to inspire successive generations of military engineers.