The Russian Navy has commissioned the newest Yasen-M-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine, Arkhangelsk (K-562) to assign to the Northern Fleet.
According to the Russian Defence Ministry, Arkhangelsk represents the fourth submarine in the upgraded Yasen-M series and the fifth vessel in the broader Project 885/Yasen-class lineup. Designed as a fourth-generation multipurpose submarine, it enhances the Russian Navy’s strategic and operational capabilities.
The submarine measures 130 metres in length and can achieve a speed of 35 knots while submerged. Four additional submarines are currently being constructed.
The new submarines will take the place of the Russian Navy’s Project 949/Oscar-class and Project 971/Akula-class vessels, which were initially constructed in the 1980s.
The Arkhangelsk (K-562) was launched from the ship hall at Sevmash in late November of the previous year and has undergone 13 months of sea trials, which included Sea and weapon trials in the White Sea and Barents Sea.
The Yasen-M class is capable of carrying Kalibr and Oniks cruise missiles. The status of whether the Arkhangelsk has conducted tests on the Tsirkon missile remains uncertain.
The multi-purpose submarines of the Russian Northern Fleet play a crucial role in tracking down enemy submarines that pose a threat to the ballistic missile submarines carrying the nation’s second-strike nuclear weapons capability.
The Russian Northern Fleet has selected the piers in Nerpitcha at the submarine base in Zapadnaya Litsa as the home port for the Yasen and Yasen-M class vessels. Nerpitcha, situated just 60 kilometres from the border with NATO member Norway, stands as the westernmost naval base in northern Russia.
