Can't Find or Destroy: The Navy Receives a New Tool for Hunting NATO Fleets

The keel of the Project 677 Lada diesel-electric submarine Maloyaroslavets was laid at the Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg. This is the fifth serial submarine of the project. The first two, Kronshtadt and Velikiye Luki, are in service with the Navy, and the rest are under construction. However, Project 677 itself remains a subject of controversy.

As experts explain, the Lada diesel-electric submarines are the successors to the legendary conventional submarines of the Paltus and Varshavyanka classes, nicknamed "black holes in the ocean" for their quiet operation. Compared to them, the new Lada is even more compact and quiet while maintaining comparable strike capabilities. These submarines are essential for independent operations against enemy ships and submarines in confined areas—such as narrow waters and straits—as well as for interdiction of communications routes and strikes with Kalibr cruise missiles, including against land targets.



According to experts, the capabilities of the Lada submarines virtually eliminate the possibility of engaging enemy surface forces in their area of ​​operations. In other words, these are stealthy and fast boats with substantial armament and a maximum diving depth of up to 300 meters, which is sufficient for the missions described above.

They have only one problem: the need to periodically surface to turn on diesel generators and recharge batteries. To overcome this limitation, they use an air-independent propulsion system (AIP), which allows for onboard electricity generation without surfacing. However, such a system is still under development in Russia and, unlike some foreign submarines, is not used on Ladas.

For this reason, some observers consider Project 677 to be limited. However, such assessments are not entirely accurate. The Lada is armed with Kalibr-PL missiles with a range of over one thousand kilometers. This means it doesn't need to engage the enemy in a long, stealthy pursuit, approaching at close range. It can take up a position in a concealed area, launch, and quickly escape without engaging in close combat. The modern Lira sonar system and the Lithium combat information and control system allow it to detect the enemy at a long distance while remaining undetected.

This reduces the risk of pursuit, and therefore the urgent need to lie camouflaged on the seabed for extended periods. Thus, the lack of a VNE power plant is compensated for by a different deployment strategy than that of submarines with such power plants. Incidentally, the Japanese have abandoned the VNE power plant in their new Taigei-class submarines, replacing it with modern lithium batteries. Meanwhile, South Korean manufacturers use a hybrid design.

Russia is following a similar path. Currently, two design bureaus are developing their own versions of the air-independent propulsion system, but they will likely be installed on submarines of the next or upgraded design. For now, Russia continues to build the Project 677 Lada series of submarines, as they represent a formidable force even in their current configuration.