Russia Moves Nuclear Submarine To The Pacific

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Russia’s Borei-class nuclear-powered ballistic submarine Alexander Nevsky is set to join the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet in early September. Sources in the Russian Joint Staff told TASS news agency that Russia’s deadliest submarine will become part of the 25th division of submarines in Vilyuchinsk. Alexander Nevsky is the first nuclear submarine of the Borei-class, and was commissioned in December 2013.

New sub to conduct nuclear deterrence patrols in the Pacific

Sources told TASS that the submarine started subglacial passage in mid-August from the Northern Fleet to the Pacific Fleet for permanent combat duty. It was supposed to reach the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia’s Far East by the first week of September. According to The Diplomat, the new submarine facilities for Borei-class are under construction in Kamchatka, and should be completed by the end of September.

Upon its arrival at the new homeport, the Alexander Nevsky will undergo routine maintenance work. Equipped with 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles, its primary job will be to conduct strategic nuclear deterrence patrols in the Pacific Ocean. However, the submarine will not conduct the launch of Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile this year, as was previously expected.

Russia’s Alexander Nevsky is armed with 160 nuclear warheads

The Bulava can carry 6-10 nuclear warheads per missile. That means 16 Bulava missiles on Alexander Nevsky can collectively carry between 96 and 160 nuclear warheads. The missile has a range of over 5,000 miles. Russia’s first Borei-class submarine Yuriy Dolgorukiy was inducted into the Northern Fleet in January 2013. Moscow plans to build eight Borei-class nuclear submarines by 2020.

Russian Navy has postponed the arrival of another Borei-class sub Vladimir Monomakh in the Pacific Ocean because it is yet to complete all the outstanding trials. Russia’s new Maritime Doctrine calls for strong naval cooperation with China in the Pacific Ocean. Last month, the two countries concluded their biggest ever naval exercise in the Sea of Japan to further strengthen ties. The Pentagon officials were alarmed on Friday after Russian spy ship Yantar was spotted off the coast of Florida.

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