Pictorial—The Soviet Submarine Force

Long a strong submarine power, the Soviet Navy today is well into its third generation of post-World War II submarines. Striving to keep up technologically with the Western naval powers, the latest Soviet SSBN designs show the impact of the successful Polaris submarine on Soviet strategic thinking. Despite their frequent dependence on Western imagination and naval design experience, however, the Soviets have managed to develop and maintain a huge submarine fleet of about 380 units, deployed in the four fleet areas. On the following pages, the Proceedings presents an introduction to the present-day Soviet submarine fleet. Unless specified otherwise, the data given is from Weyer’s Warships of the World, 1971.

SSBN Y Class

This class of ballistic missile submarine is of substantially the same configuration as the U. S. Navy’s Ethan Allen-class SSBN, and all the evidence points to a ship with operational capabilities roughly comparable to its American counterpart. If past Soviet practice is a reliable guide, the ship itself is of somewhat greater horsepower than an American SSBN. The missile installed is the surface-to-surface Sawfly, a solid-fuel successor to the Serb. First operational in 1968, this class numbered 17 units by April 1971, with 15 more reported under construction.

SSBN H Class

An obvious relative of the diesel-powered Golf-class SSB, the nuclear-powered H-class SSBN carries a primary armament of three Serb submerged-launch ballistic missiles in its enlarged sail. Two nuclear reactors driving separate screws give the H-class submarines a speed of 25 knots. The first examples appeared in the early 1960s, and nine or more were produced. Both the submarine and the missile are markedly inferior to their contemporaries, the American Polaris boats, but they served to give the Soviet Navy a foothold in the SSBN race.

SSB G Class

The first Soviet submarine designed from the keel up to carry ballistic missiles, the early version of the Golf-class SSB (Golf I), is fitted with three tubes for the Sark, surface-launched, ballistic missile in its conspicuously large sail. The first ships of this class were completed in the late 1950s and 22 are now reported to be operational. Diesel engines and two screws give the Golf class a surface speed of 17.5 knots and an operational range of over 22,000 miles. The original Golf configuration required that the sail be above the surface for missile launching, but the Golf-II modification permits firing three Serb missiles while submerged. Far less capable than the Yankee class, the Golf submarines and their 500-mile missiles nonetheless present a formidable threat.

SSB Z V Class

Once reported numbering as many as ten ships, this class is now said to number but three, which suggests that as the new and powerful Yankee-class submarines enter service, these diesel-driven conversions from an attack type are being retired from service or returned to their original role as attack submarines. Even though armed with but two ballistic missiles, they served usefully in the strategic missile role until better ships became available.

SSGN E II Class

SSGN E I Class

The Echo-class submarine has been identified in two configurations, Echo I and Echo II. The Echo II, shown in this photograph, is a nuclear-powered, missile-firing submarine carrying eight storage and launch tubes for the Shaddock, surface-to-surface, cruise missile which has a 400-mile range. An obvious relative of the Juliet class and analogous to the U. S. Navy’s former SSGN, Halibut (which carried five Regulus air-breathing missiles), the Echo is credited with a speed of 30 knots submerged, and carries six bow torpedo tubes. An estimated 25 of the class have been built, in addition to ten Echo I class with six, rather than eight, launching tubes.

SSG J Class

The Juliet-class SSG, analogous to the U. S. Navy’s Regulus-armed Growler (SSG-557) and Grayback (SSG-574), is a diesel-powered submarine equipped to launch four Shaddock, air-breathing, surface-to-surface guided missiles from individual launch tubes mounted on the hull. Reportedly, 15 of these boats have been built. The stubby Juliets have a surface speed of only 16 knots, and are conspicuous on the surface because of their unusually high freeboard. To fire the missiles, the boat must be on the surface and the tubes elevated about 15 degrees.

SSG W “Long Bin” Class

One of the first Soviet submarines to be equipped with surface-to-surface missiles is the NATO-named “Long Bin" modification of the Whiskey-class submarine. Longer and heavier than the standard Whiskey, this modification has included the fairing of the sail area to include fixed storage and launching tubes for four air-breathing Shaddock missiles. The “Long Bin” modification followed the single and twin-cylinder Whiskey SSG modifications. Although obsolescent, about five of the Long Bins are still operational.

SSG W Class (Twin Cylinder)

Now about five in number, this variant on the Whiskey class of attack submarine is characterized by a pair of watertight missile cylinders, one on either side aft of the sail. The weapon reportedly is the 400-mile Shaddock. An earlier version had only a single cylinder, mounted aft, but this design, to which perhaps only one submarine was converted, is no longer reported as operational.

SSN C Class

One of the latest classes of nuclear-powered Soviet attack submarines, the Charlie class, said to number about five vessels, is armed with eight anti-shipping missiles, presumably all in the bulbous bow. These ships are reported to have a submerged speed of 30 knots. Another new design, the Victor class, reported to consist of ten ships, is also nuclear-powered, but is armed with torpedo tubes rather than missiles. No photographs of that class have been released.

SSN N Class

The Soviet Navy's first nuclear submarine, the November-class SSN, appeared in the fleet in the late 1950s. Believed to have included at least 15 units, the construction program for the November submarine reflected confidence in this first-generation design. Armed with six or more torpedo tubes and carrying 32 torpedoes, the November units are assumed to have an operational depth capability in excess of 750 feet. Two propellers drive the November subs at about 30 knots and the operational range is essentially unlimited. The November units are the most frequently sighted of the nuclear attack submarines. One November-class SSN sank at sea in April 1970.

SS F Class

The Foxtrot-class, diesel-powered SS first appeared in 1958. Credited with an operational range of 20,000 miles, the Foxtrot submarine can do 18 knots surfaced or, for brief periods, submerged. Forty or 50 of this class have been built, equipped with six torpedo tubes forward and two tubes aft. Foxtrot submarines are often seen outside of Soviet coastal waters, and at least one of this class was surfaced by U. S. fleet units during the Cuban missile crisis. Two F-class were among the small Soviet task force that visited Cuba in the summer of 1969 and four others are now in the Indian Navy. A possible successor, the diesel-powered Bravo class, has recently been identified.

SS Z III/IV Class

The Zulu-class, diesel-powered submarine, of which over 20 units have been built, is apparently the immediate predecessor of the Foxtrot design. Open sources credit the Zulu submarine with an operating depth of 750 feet and a cruising range of 20,000 miles. Reportedly mounting six tubes forward and two tubes aft, the Zulu submarine, like the Foxtrot, carries 24 torpedoes. Like all Soviet submarines, the Zulu class is also credited with a minelaying capability. Some years ago a number of this class were modified to carry a pair of ballistic missiles in an enlarged sail section. (See Zulu V-class SSB).

SS R Class

The Romeo-class submarines, of which about 20 were built (of these, 13 are currently credited to the Soviet fleet), were designed to be an improvement on the Whiskey class. Built between 1959 and 1963, the ships of this class carry four to six tubes forward and two aft, and are credited with an operational range of 13,000 miles. The snorkel induction stack atop the superstructure is a prominent recognition feature for these boats, several of which have been transferred to the Egyptian Navy. Occasional Soviet units have been sighted on patrols in the Mediterranean Sea.

SS Q Class

A short-legged coastal patrol vessel, the Quebec class had a fairly long production run in the middle 1950s. Similar in general characteristics to small submarines found in the navies of other European powers, the Quebec class apparently fulfilled a need for a modern submarine suitable for operations in confined waters. Diesel-powered in its initial design, the basic Quebec boat is credited with a surface speed of 16 knots. A number were converted to some sort of closed-cycle propulsion system which has proven to be less than satisfactory, contributing to the nickname within the Soviet Fleet of zazhigatel or “cigarette lighter.” As many as 25 may have been constructed in this class, although the number still operational is now reported to be only 15.

SS W Class

The most numerous submarine in the Soviet inventory, the Whiskey-class, diesel-powered submarine began appearing in the early 1950s. The first new design, fleet-sized boat to be produced after World War II, the Whiskeys show the impact of the German type XXI U-Boat on Soviet submarine design. The standard Whiskey boat is equipped with six torpedo tubes and carries 24 torpedoes. The original Whiskeys were equipped with deck-mounted guns, but all remaining fleet boats have had their guns removed. The Whiskey subs are frequently seen deployed in all four Soviet fleet areas. A number of these boats have been modified for special uses, including SSG, SSR, and oceanographic research. Others have been transferred to other countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Indonesia, North Korea, and Poland. About 170 are now reported to fly the Soviet flag.

SSN W Canvas Bag Class

According to Siegfried Breyer's Guide to The Soviet Navy, several of the Whiskey class were rebuilt in 1963 and 1964 to serve as relay stations for mid-course guidance of the Shaddock missiles with which many Soviet submarines and surface ships are armed. The number of such conversions is not given.