Russia’s Northern Fleet Set to Unveil a New Era of Nuclear Submarine Power

Russia is gearing up to boost its Arctic submarine fleet with some serious upgrades. By the end of this decade, three new Borei-class nuclear submarines are set to join the northern Fleet, which is based near Murmansk. These impressive vessels stretch 170 meters long and 13.5 meters wide, capable of carrying up to 16 Bulava ballistic missiles—key components in Russia’s strategic defense strategy.

The Borei-class submarines have been around since their first commissioning in 2013, and currently, there are seven operational units. But that’s not all; Russia also plans to add three more Yasen-class nuclear-powered attack submarines into the mix. The Yasen class made its debut post-Soviet Union in 2013 and comes equipped with a variety of cruise missiles like Onyx, Caliber, and Zircon—some even have nuclear capabilities! with speeds reaching up to 28 knots while maintaining stealthy operations, these subs excel at hunting down enemy surface ships.

This submarine expansion reflects a broader trend: Russia is actively modernizing its Northern Fleet as part of a larger strategy for Arctic militarization.Over the last ten years, notable investments have gone into revamping military bases and constructing new ones across its extensive Arctic coastline that spans about 14,000 miles.

Currently operating at least twelve bases along this vast expanse are several state-of-the-art facilities including trefoil-shaped complexes at Ushakovskoye Base and Nagurskoye Air Base.Notably, existing runways have been upgraded for heavy bombers capable of carrying nuclear payloads; seasonal gravel airstrips are now fully paved airfields ready for year-round use. For instance, just last summer saw enhancements completed on the runway at Temp Air Base located on Kotelny Island.

Additionally, the Northern Fleet has welcomed its first combat icebreakers alongside ice-class patrol vessels designed specifically for Arctic operations. Two armed icebreakers are expected to join by 2025 and 2026 respectively—these Project 23550 vessels weigh in