The Russian navy has modernized a base in the Far East, enabling seven nuclear-powered submarines to enter service in recent years. Vice Admiral Vladimir Dmitriyev, commander of the Russian Pacific Fleet’s submarine forces, reported this to Defense Minister Andrei Belousov during his visit to the Kamchatka region. Five Borei-class ballistic missile submarines and two Yasen-class cruise missile submarines, both powered by nuclear reactors, have been put into service. Two of these submarines recently completed a voyage under the Arctic ice, traveling over 4,000 nautical miles from the Barents Sea to the Pacific Ocean.
The submarines arrived at Rybachiy submarine base near Petropavlovsk on the Kamchatka Peninsula, the home of the Russian Pacific Fleet’s nuclear-powered submarines. The 24,000-ton Borei-class submarine is armed with up to 16 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, each carrying up to six nuclear warheads. The 13,800-ton Yasen-class submarine has 32 vertical tubes for launching conventional long-range missiles. The Pacific Fleet has been preparing for the arrival of the Borei-class submarines since 2014 by upgrading piers at Rybachiy to accommodate them. Construction to extend the length of the pier is expected to be completed next summer, significantly enhancing the submarine forces’ combat capabilities.
In a video released by the Russian military, two Yasen-class submarines and four Borei-class submarines were seen docked at the Rybachiy submarine base in the Far East region of Russia. Defense Minister Belousov’s visit to the Far East followed an inspection of the Northern Fleet in the Murmansk Region in the northwest. During the visit, he inspected military and social infrastructure facilities and received a report on plans to build warehouses for rockets and missiles. Belousov also paid respects at the monument to members of the Russian naval infantry killed in conflicts.
The modernization of the pier at the Pacific Fleet base, which was not disclosed in the report, has allowed the Russian navy to enhance its submarine forces’ capabilities. The upgraded pier will provide necessary resources such as energy, communications, air, and water supply, reducing the wear of mechanisms and systems of submarines at the base. The Borei-class and Yasen-class submarines are considered the new generation of submarines for the Russian navy, with advanced technology and armaments. The completion of the construction to extend the length of the pier will further enhance the combat capabilities of the submarine forces.
Belousov, who was appointed by President Vladimir Putin in May, has been actively inspecting and assessing various military facilities across Russia. His visit to the Far East region and inspection of the submarine base in Kamchatka demonstrate the importance placed on maintaining and strengthening the Russian navy’s capabilities. The presence of nuclear-powered submarines at the Rybachiy base showcases Russia’s commitment to modernizing its naval forces and ensuring maritime security in the region. The deployment of advanced submarines provides a strategic advantage to Russia in maintaining a strong presence in the Pacific Ocean and projecting power in the Arctic.
