Nuclear subs made trans-Arctic under-ice transfer from Barents to Pacific
Two of Russia’s newest nuclear-powered submarines have completed a 5,500 nm voyage under the Arctic ice cap.
Built at Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk and tested in the White- and Barents Seas, the two submarines “Novosibirsk” and “Knyaz Oleg” are now ready for combat patrols.
The inter-fleet transit from the Northern Fleet to the Pacific Fleet contributes to a substantial strength of the submarine forces in the Russian Far East. “Knyaz Oleg” of the Borey-class carries 16 ballistic nuclear missiles, while the “Novosibirsk” is armed with some of the navy’s most modern long-range cruise missiles, torpedoes and mines.
Both submarines participated in the Umka-2022 naval exercise taking place in the Chucki Sea now in September before sailing into Vilyuchinsk naval base near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy this week, the Defense Ministry informs.
There are now three Borei-class ballistic missile submarines in active service with the Pacific Fleet. The “Novosibirsk” is the first 4th generation Yasen-class multi-purpose sub to be deployed in the Pacific.
The Defense Ministry posted this video from the two subs’ arrival at the Vilyuchinsk naval base.