Russia new Borei-A class submarine Knyaz Pozharsky begins state trials.

According to information published by bmpd on October 16, 2024, The Russian Navy’s latest Borei-A class strategic nuclear submarine, Knyaz Pozharsky (K-555), has entered state trials, with recently published images showcasing the vessel undergoing testing.
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Launching ceremony of the Russian Project 955A submarine Knyaz Pozharsky. (Picture source: Kirill Zykov)

This submarine is the fifth of its modified 09552 project (Borei-A) and the eighth next-generation ballistic missile submarine of the Borei family overall. Built at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk under the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), Knyaz Pozharsky first set sail for sea trials on July 28, 2024. It is expected to join the 31st Submarine Division of the Northern Fleet in December 2024.

Construction of Knyaz Pozharsky began under a contract signed by the Russian Ministry of Defense with USC on May 25, 2012, covering the production of four Borei-A class submarines. This submarine, laid down on December 23, 2016, was launched on February 3, 2024. The vessel is the last of this batch, which includes the previously commissioned submarines Knyaz Oleg (K-552), Generalissimus Suvorov (K-553), and Imperator Aleksandr III (K-554).

The Borei and Borei-A class submarines represent the backbone of Russia’s strategic submarine fleet, with earlier units like Yuri Dolgorukiy (K-535), Aleksandr Nevskiy (K-550), and Vladimir Monomakh (K-551) already in service. These vessels are divided between the Northern and Pacific Fleets, with the Borei-A submarines expected to ensure the continued capability of Russia’s nuclear deterrence well into the future.

Equipped with Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles, the submarine can carry multiple nuclear warheads, offering a critical component of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces. Technologically, Knyaz Pozharskiy incorporates advanced features compared to earlier Borei-class submarines. These include better stealth capabilities, improved maneuverability, and cutting-edge sonar and electronics systems, making it more difficult to detect and more efficient in long-range operations. The submarine’s reactor systems and overall design provide operational endurance, allowing it to remain submerged for extended periods and conduct global patrols.

Its ability to operate in critical regions such as the Arctic underscores Russia’s growing presence and influence in this increasingly contested area. The Arctic, with its valuable resources and strategic shipping routes, is a focal point of Russia’s geopolitical ambitions.

As a submarine-based platform for launching ballistic missiles, it is much harder to detect and counter compared to land-based missile systems. This complicates the efforts of potential adversaries to neutralize Russia’s nuclear forces.