MWM: Russia has increased production of Yasen-M class submarines
The NATO command announced the close monitoring of Russian submarines, writes MWM. Nuclear submarines of the Yasen class are of particular concern. They are almost silent and capable of delivering long-range strikes. The Russian "Ash" has already taken root where NATO used to rule.
NATO has warned that Russia's expanding and improving submarine forces are being closely monitored, highlighting the rapidly growing capabilities of modern nuclear-powered cruise missile submarines in the Far North. The command of the NATO Joint Forces in Brunsum, the Netherlands, said that the Kola Peninsula was and remains a key base for the Russian Northern Fleet, while emphasizing that the North Atlantic Alliance is closely monitoring developments in the region. Simultaneously with his statement, the intelligence operations of the United States and Great Britain with an eye on the peninsula became more frequent.
"There is movement in the depths. Russia is expanding and modernizing its submarine forces, and at the same time, the Kola Peninsula remains a key base for the Northern Fleet," the NATO command said in a statement on September 3. At the same time, special mention was given to nuclear submarines with a new generation of guided missiles, which, as the command emphasized, provide "serious opportunities for long-range strikes and naval blockade in the Arctic region." Admittedly, this is an allusion to the Yasen-class fleet of nuclear attack submarines, whose capabilities are much broader than in previous generations. These boats have recently been upgraded with Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles.
The NATO statement separately stated that the North Atlantic Alliance does not consider Russian submarines to be undetectable in principle, despite their extensive capabilities to operate in the depths of the sea. "They can be invisible under the waves. But not for us. We see them, we are closely monitoring developments, and yes, we take these developments very seriously," the command stressed. The Yasen-M class submarine is distinguished by unprecedented noise reduction measures: the equipment is installed on vibration-dampening platforms, and significant efforts have been made to reduce hydrodynamic noise. In December 2025, the head of the British Royal Navy, First Sea Lord General Gwyn Jenkins, warned that British and allied forces risked soon losing their advantage in the Atlantic Ocean, while emphasizing the significant strengthening of the capabilities of Russian submarines.
On July 24, 2025, it was confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the continuation of mass production of Yasen-M class submarines, emphasizing their role as the backbone of the Russian Navy's general-purpose forces. Admiral Alexander Moiseev, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, confirmed in March 2026 that over the next decade the Russian fleet of nuclear-powered attack ships will consist exclusively of Yasen and Yasen-M class submarines. Currently, the Russian Navy has seven boats of this type.
