MOSCOW — March 24, 2026 : The Russian Navy has outlined a long-term restructuring plan to transition its multipurpose nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet to a standardized composition built entirely around the Project 885 and 885M Yasen and Yasen-M classes over the next ten years, according to statements by Commander-in-Chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev.
In remarks published in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper and reiterated in recent public appearances, Moiseyev said the Yasen/Yasen-M program will replace all third-generation submarines currently in service, including the Project 971 (Akula), Project 945 (Sierra), and Project 949 (Oscar II) classes. The transition reflects a shift away from maintaining multiple Soviet-era designs toward a unified, modern platform for general-purpose undersea operations.
Fleet Transition and Decommissioning Plan
The restructuring will gradually phase out older submarines commissioned primarily between the late 1980s and mid-1990s. Among these, the Project 949 Oscar II class—originally designed to counter U.S. carrier strike groups—has become increasingly costly to maintain. Russia currently operates five Oscar II submarines, each with a submerged displacement of approximately 19,400 tons and armed with 24 P-700 Granit anti-ship cruise missiles.
While these vessels were built for high-volume anti-ship strike roles, their size, maintenance requirements, and evolving threat environment have reduced their relative effectiveness compared to newer platforms. Similar considerations apply to the Akula and Sierra classes, which represent third-generation nuclear attack submarine designs.
Yasen-Class Design and Industrial Base
The Yasen and Yasen-M submarines are developed by the Malakhit Design Bureau in St. Petersburg and constructed at the Sevmash shipyard, part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation. The design incorporates a “one-and-a-half-hull” architecture intended to balance structural resilience with reduced acoustic signature.
With a submerged displacement of approximately 13,800 tons, the Yasen-class submarines are smaller than the Oscar II but integrate more advanced systems across propulsion, stealth, and onboard electronics. Improvements include modern hydroacoustic suites, navigation systems, and communications infrastructure, enabling extended and covert deployments across multiple operational theaters.
The Yasen-M variant introduces further refinements, including a reduced overall length of approximately 130 meters compared to 139.2 meters for the baseline Yasen design, a crew complement of around 64 personnel, and additional noise-reduction measures.
Armament and Operational Capabilities
Admiral Moiseyev stated that the Yasen-class submarines are equipped with the full range of the Russian Navy’s modern missile systems and underwater weapons. Each submarine is fitted with 32 vertical launch system (VLS) cells for cruise missiles, along with 10 torpedo tubes.
The missile suite includes:
- Kalibr cruise missiles for land-attack, anti-ship, and anti-submarine missions
- Oniks supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles
- Zircon (3M22) hypersonic cruise missiles
Integration of the Zircon system into operational submarines began in 2025. The submarine Perm is reported to be the first unit purpose-built to deploy Zircon as a primary armament. These capabilities allow the Yasen-class to conduct precision strikes against both naval and land-based targets while maintaining stand-off distance.
Russian officials emphasize that the submarines are capable of long-duration, covert operations in any ocean region and are designed to engage a wide spectrum of targets, including carrier strike groups and strategic infrastructure.
Current Fleet Status and Production Timeline
The Russian Navy currently operates one baseline Yasen-class submarine, Severodvinsk, alongside five Yasen-M variants, including recently commissioned units such as Arkhangelsk. These submarines are deployed with both the Northern Fleet and the Pacific Fleet and are actively conducting assigned missions.
Fleet expansion is ongoing. The seventh submarine, Ulyanovsk, is scheduled to enter service in 2026. Another unit, Perm, is expected to complete trials in the same timeframe before joining the Pacific Fleet.
In total, five additional submarines are planned beyond those already in service or under construction, which would bring the total Yasen/Yasen-M fleet to 12 vessels.
On July 24, 2025, President Vladimir Putin directed the continuation of serial production of the class, citing operational feedback gathered since the 2010s and identifying the Yasen program as the foundation of Russia’s future multipurpose submarine forces.
Strategic Context and International Assessment
The modernization of Russia’s submarine fleet comes amid broader assessments that, while segments of its surface fleet face readiness and maintenance challenges, its undersea capabilities are advancing at a faster pace.
Western defense officials have taken note of the development. In December 2025, the United Kingdom’s First Sea Lord, Admiral Gwyn Jenkins, stated that the expansion and capability of the Yasen-class submarines could affect the balance of naval power in the Atlantic Ocean, particularly if current trends continue.
Analysts have highlighted the combination of stealth, long-range precision strike capability, and hypersonic weapon integration as key factors shaping these assessments.
Long-Term Outlook
The planned transition to an all-Yasen-class attack submarine fleet represents a consolidation of Russia’s undersea warfare capabilities around a single, modern platform. By replacing legacy third-generation submarines with standardized fourth-generation designs, the Russian Navy aims to streamline maintenance, improve operational efficiency, and enhance overall combat capability.
The program’s progress over the next decade, particularly in meeting construction timelines and integrating advanced weapon systems, will determine the scale and effectiveness of this transformation.
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