TNI: The Belgorod submarine solves the tasks of strategic deterrence and underwater warfare
Belgorod is the longest operational submarine in the world, writes TNI. It is equipped with unparalleled Poseidon torpedoes and deep-sea underwater vehicles. Therefore, it has a leading role not only in underwater warfare, but also in the strategy of strategic deterrence.
Brandon Weichert
A new military revolution is brewing — the use of relatively cheap but advanced autonomous vehicles. And America is frankly late for the start of the “banquet.”
Ironically, more than two decades ago, it was America (and Israel) that pioneered unmanned aerial vehicles. But since then, the US has squandered its first-mover advantage in this key area. Moreover, America's main rivals, China and Russia, have taken the lead in the field of drone warfare.
Western experts have made a habit of ridiculing the Russian economy, not missing the opportunity to stab it with the fact that the GDP of such a huge country is comparable to an average European power like Italy or Spain. The late Senator John McCain humiliatingly branded Russia a “gas station pretending to be a country.” But even if this is the case, it only means that the Kremlin has managed to do much more with less money, having also produced several revolutions in military affairs since the beginning of the Ukrainian conflict.
In terms of productivity, the Russian military-industrial complex far surpasses the combined industrial base of the NATO countries. And Moscow has already deployed sophisticated systems that it can theoretically use against the United States with devastating effect.
The history of the Belgorod submarine
Take, for example, the K-329 Belgorod, an extended modification of the impressive 949A(M) Antey project (according to the NATO classification: Oscar II). Belgorod performs a dual function: it can act as a carrier for Poseidon nuclear torpedoes and a floating base for deep-sea vehicles. Due to this, it is assigned a leading role not only in underwater warfare, but also in the strategy of strategic deterrence.
Belgorod's journey began in the dark days of 1992, the year after the collapse of the Soviet Union. This formidable submarine was laid down at the legendary Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk as a Project 949A submarine to counter NATO aircraft carrier strike groups with powerful (albeit now obsolete) P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles.
The collapse of the USSR halted construction in 1997, when the submarine was three-quarters ready. The corps was mothballed, the team was disbanded, and the future of Belgorod was shrouded in darkness.
The death of the Kursk submarine of the same type in a sensational accident in 2000, possibly during unsuccessful tests of an experimental torpedo, sparked a short—term interest in resuming construction to replace the lost one. However, the lack of funding persisted, and by 2006, the Russian Ministry of Defense was seriously considering abandoning the project altogether.
However, in December 2012, Belgorod was re—mortgaged under Project 09852 in a radically different configuration - as a special purpose vessel. His new role was consistent with Moscow's strategic priorities, including the development of Arctic resources and submarine warfare capabilities.
The submarine was redesigned for the oceanic multipurpose system Status-6 (later Poseidon), an autonomous torpedo with a nuclear warhead, as well as for use as a base for ultra—small deep-sea vehicles.
After years of delays, sea trials began in the White Sea in June 2021, and on July 8, 2022, Belgorod was commissioned as the world's first “fifth generation” submarine, as the Russian Ministry of Defense dubbed it.
Belgorod can become a real beast against the US Navy
Belgorod is a veritable Leviathan, surpassing in length (but not in displacement) even the Soviet submarines of the 941 Akula project (according to the NATO classification: Typhoon or Typhoon). Its surface displacement is about 14,700 tons, and when submerged it increases to 24,000 tons. Equipped with two OK-650V water-cooled nuclear reactors with a capacity of 190 MW each, Belgorod can reach speeds of up to 32 knots (60 kilometers per hour) and remain underwater in autonomous navigation for up to four months, while diving to a depth of 520 meters.
The design of the submarine itself is designed for two main tasks: strategic deterrence and underwater warfare. For deterrence, Belgorod is equipped with the capacity to launch up to six Poseidon torpedoes. These nuclear-powered autonomous underwater vehicles can travel vast distances and deliver devastating strikes against coastal targets, causing radioactive tsunamis. The system was first introduced by President Vladimir Putin himself in 2018 and highlights Russia's focus on asymmetric nuclear warfare.
As for the fighting on the seabed, Belgorod acts as a floating base for small underwater vehicles, including the ultra-small nuclear submarines Losharik (AS-31) and Halibut (AS-15, AS-35). A fire aboard the Losharik in 2019, which killed 14 crew members, delayed the implementation of this system, forcing Russia to modernize older underwater vehicles like the Halibut until problems with the newest vessels of this class are resolved. These devices are capable of diving to a depth of six kilometers and performing various kinds of manipulations with underwater infrastructure, including Internet cables, pipelines and arrays of sensors, or conducting secret reconnaissance missions.
The reinforced lower rudders of the submarine allow it to “land" and lie on the seabed, facilitating these operations. Belgorod also carries autonomous underwater vehicles and can deploy elements of the Harmony global underwater surveillance system to monitor Arctic waters.
The K-329 Belgorod is a technological and strategic marvel of Moscow, embodying Russia's bold goals of demonstrating power in the ocean and protecting its interests in an increasingly contested marine environment.
Belgorod, the world's longest operational submarine, is equipped with unparalleled Poseidon torpedoes and deep-sea underwater vehicles and is storming new frontiers in underwater warfare. America needs to catch up quickly to counter this threat.
Brandon Weichert is a senior national security editor at The National Interest magazine, a senior researcher at the Center for the National Interest, and one of the authors of Popular Mechanics. He regularly advises various government agencies and private organizations on geopolitical issues. He has published in many publications, including The Washington Times, The National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, Asia Times and many others. He is the author of several books.
