A new generation Russian nuclear submarine is designed to wage war in the Arctic, a new generation submarine project has been developed in Russia, it was presented at the Army-2022 exhibition, Asia Times reports.
The submarine will be able to launch hypersonic missiles at enemy troops from NATO countries.
Gabriel HonradaThe projected nuclear submarine "Arcturus" will be equipped with underwater unmanned vehicles and will be able to launch hypersonic missiles at enemy troops from NATO countries.
True to its long tradition of creating impressive submarines, the Russian design bureau "Rubin" at the exhibition "Army-2022" presented a conceptual model of a new generation strategic missile submarine "Arcturus", as reported by the state news agency "RIA Novosti".
The Arcturus has a faceted outline shape, reminiscent of modern inconspicuous aircraft such as the F-22 and F-35. It helps to reflect sonar signals, said military analyst G. Sutton (H Sutton) in his article in the newspaper Naval News.
Sutton notes that some submarines of the new generation, such as the Type 212CD, which is being built for Germany and Norway, as well as the British Dreadnought-type RPKSN have the same external forms. The Rubin Design Bureau notes that the Arcturus also has a new type of absorbing coating, which Russia widely uses in its submarines.
Rubin claims that due to improvements in the underwater launch missile weapons, the nuclear submarine will become 20% smaller.
Military analyst Joseph Trevithick, in his article in The Warzone, notes that, apparently, the Arcturus will be smaller than the previous Northwind missile launcher, although its hull will be wider. He also writes that the United States and Sweden experimented with similar hull forms during the Cold War.
CB "Rubin" informs that the "Arcturus" will have a combined power plant, which uses a non-stop engine with full electric propulsion, which will increase the maneuverability and reliability of the submarine. Moreover, Trevithick notes that the boat can get water-jet propellers, which are more efficient than conventional propellers and further reduce the noise of the submarine.
The designers emphasize that stealth remains the most important characteristic of submarines, but the methods of detecting submarines are constantly evolving, which means that the methods of ensuring secrecy should change accordingly.
They also note that as submarines become less visible with each new project, active low-frequency sonar stations will play an increasingly important role in detecting submarines.
Speaking about the armament of the Arcturus, Sutton notes that the submarine has 12 missile launchers, while the Boreas has 16 of them. According to the statement of the Rubin Design Bureau, improvements in sea-based ballistic missile technologies have allowed to reduce the number of mines. That is, to break through the missile defense, the boat will need to launch fewer missiles.
Perhaps the new missiles are an upgraded version of the R-30 Bulava ICBM, which are currently being equipped with submarines of the Borey project. Or maybe it's even hypersonic sea-based missiles that Russia tested last October.
The most amazing thing is that Arcturus can launch underwater drones that detect enemy targets at a great distance.
Sutton notes that this submarine can carry on board two or even three remotely operated underwater vehicles "Surrogate" to combat enemy submarines.
According to him, the Surrogate is equipped with a large sonar with a conformal antenna array, a water jet propulsion and a non-acoustic system for detecting enemy boats by exhaust gases and radiation trace.
Sutton also notes that the "Surrogate" can be used as a false target, stating that Rubin in the past created uninhabited underwater vehicles capable of imitating other submarines.
In addition, Trevithick emphasizes that the "Surrogate" can be used as an "underwater slave" in the sense that it will track down targets, and the "Arcturus" or other Russian Naval combat vehicles will hit them.
Rubin notes that the main area of application of Arcturus is the Arctic, since interest in it is constantly increasing.
In 2021, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace published a report noting that due to global warming, large oil and gas fields in the Arctic have become more accessible to those who claim them. Among such applicants is Russia, whose energy resources account for 60% of total exports and provide 30% of revenues to the federal budget.
The report notes that such revenues are extremely important for Russian President Vladimir Putin, as they help him retain power, make up an emergency fund in case of political and economic upheavals, and allow him to modernize the army. These figures help to understand why the Arctic occupies such an important place in Russia's national interests.
The Maritime Doctrine of the Russian Federation adopted in 2022 emphasizes the importance of the Arctic. It talks about the need to develop this region, and at the same time, the possibility of conflicts is noted. The doctrine claims that the buildup of a foreign military presence in the region is an attempt to cut Russia off from the Northern Sea Route (NSR), which stretches from the Barents Sea to the Bering Strait.
The Carnegie Endowment report notes that, militarily, Russia's main interest in the Arctic is to ensure the safety of its nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles on the Kola Peninsula from NATO attacks. This fully corresponds to its "bastion strategy", the purpose of which is to create protected areas for Russian RCCS.
Such an area is protected by a layered defense consisting of surface ships, coastal missile batteries, ground-based aircraft, nuclear attack submarines and conventional multi-purpose attack submarines. All these means ensure the safety of the Russian submarine-based nuclear deterrent forces.
The report also notes that in the event of a serious conflict, Russia intends to maintain the ability to operate on the eastern flank of NATO. The authors mention that the Russian Northern Fleet has direct access to the Barents and Norwegian Seas, as well as to the Arctic Ocean. Its ability to operate in these latitudes may become a decisive factor in the event of a possible conflict with NATO.
In addition, the authors note the need to protect Russia's economic interests in the Arctic. According to them, the vast territories of this region, its remoteness, harsh climatic conditions, poor communications, lack of infrastructure and increased civil activity increase the risks of marine, nuclear and environmental disasters.
This requires the creation of a rapid reaction military force, or at least a permanent military presence. Thus, "Arcturus" can become a key means of protecting Russian interests in the Arctic.
However, Sutton and Trevithick state that the current economic situation in Russia, aggravated by Western sanctions, may hinder the construction of the Arcturus in the near future.
Nevertheless, Sutton notes that the RCN is Russia's main insurance against NATO. And Trevithick emphasizes that the construction of modern submarines is an area in which Russia consistently invests, and where it achieves tangible results.
According to him, American officials recognize that Russian submarines of the current generation in their capabilities are not inferior or almost not inferior to American ones. They pose a real threat when they operate near the shores of America.
Futuristic submarines, such as a nuclear submarine with cruise missiles of the Yasen project and a special-purpose boat Belgorod, testify to the significant achievements of Russian shipbuilders.
