Russia Inducts Arkhangelsk: Advanced Yasen-M-Class Submarine

By IndraStra Global News Team

Cover Image Attribute: Photo: On December 27, the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk transferred the Arkhangelsk to the Navy. / Source: JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation (Объединённая судостроительная корпорация, ОСК)

On 27 December 2024, Russia officially commissioned its latest nuclear-powered Yasen-M-class submarine, named "Arkhangelsk (K-562)," into the Northern Fleet.  The ceremony, held at the Sevmash Shipyard in Severodvinsk, was attended by high-ranking officials from the Russian Navy, including Admiral Aleksandr Alekseyevich Moiseyev, the Chief of the Russian Navy. 

The commissioning  marks another step in Project 885M, part of Russia's broader military rearmament plan to enhance its underwater warfare capabilities. As a new generation multi-role submarine, Arkhangelsk showcases Russia's ability to operate in both deterrence and active engagement roles. Its advanced capabilities highlight the growing emphasis on deep-water operations and long-range strike capacity, reflecting a significant shift in how naval power is defined in the 21st century.

Technical Prowess and Operational Capabilities

The Yasen-M-class submarines' technological features, including a fourth-generation nuclear reactor that eliminates the need for refueling throughout their service life, represent a significant advancement in naval warfare. This reactor significantly reduces noise levels, making detecting the submarines more challenging. The Yasen-M combines stealth, endurance, and firepower for anti-submarine warfare and strategic strike missions, making it a versatile asset in Russia's naval arsenal.

With a submerged displacement of 13,800 tons, a length of 130 meters, and a beam of 13 meters, Arkhangelsk can operate at depths of up to 600 meters and sustain missions for up to 100 days without surfacing. It is propelled by an OK-650KPM pressurized water reactor generating 43,000 shp, enabling a maximum submerged speed of 35 knots. Its armament includes a Vertical Launch System (VLS) capable of deploying up to 32 Zircon hypersonic missiles, Oniks anti-ship missiles, or Kalibr-PL cruise missiles alongside 10 torpedo tubes equipped with Futlyar heavyweight torpedoes. The submarine also has advanced sensors like the Rim Hat ESM/ECM and Snoop Pair Surface Search Radar, enhancing its detection and defensive capabilities.

Strategic Implications

The induction of Arkhangelsk reflects Russia's focus on leveraging advanced submarine technology to assert its influence in critical maritime theaters. These submarines are not merely defensive assets but strategic deterrence and power projection tools. Their stealth and long-range strike capabilities pose significant challenges to NATO's maritime security framework, particularly in the Arctic, where geopolitical competition intensifies.

Western military analysts have expressed concerns about the Yasen-class submarines' ability to evade detection and their potential to launch surprise attacks. This capability was demonstrated during the maiden deployment of the first Yasen-class submarine, Severodvinsk (K-560), which reportedly operated undetected in the Atlantic for weeks. With three more submarines—Kazan (K-561), Novosibirsk (K-573), and Krasnoyarsk (K-571)—already in active service, the Yasen-M fleet continues to expand Russia's underwater warfare capabilities.

Future of the Yasen-M Project 

The Yasen-M class submarine program continues to evolve as a cornerstone of Russia's naval modernization efforts. Submarines of the same class, such as Perm, Ulyanovsk, Voronezh, and Vladivostok, currently under construction, are set to join the fleet between 2025 and 2028. This sustained production reflects the strategic importance of the Yasen-M class, equipped with advanced capabilities such as stealth and technological sophistication, in maintaining subsurface dominance. Particularly in an era where these factors are critical to global naval power dynamics, this class of submarines positions Russia as a formidable player in underwater warfare and strategic deterrence. 

International Reactions and Challenges

While NATO has not officially commented on the Arkhangelsk's commissioning, the development has raised alarms across Western military circles. The submarine's stealth and strike capabilities directly challenge NATO's maritime security framework, prompting member states to accelerate investments in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) technologies. The United States and the United Kingdom, in particular, are advancing programs involving enhanced sonar systems, unmanned underwater vehicles, and next-generation maritime patrol aircraft to counter the growing underwater threat posed by Russia.

The Yasen-M-class submarines exemplify Russia's use of advanced military technologies to project power and disrupt the strategic balance. As these submarines expand their operational reach, they complicate NATO's ability to ensure maritime stability. The induction of Arkhangelsk underscores the urgent need for collective defense mechanisms and robust international cooperation to counter the evolving underwater threat and maintain global security.

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