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Totally Rare Submarine: The Russian Akula II-class submarine Vepr (K-157) has been operational since 1994, despite being a relic of Cold War-era naval design.

-Initially designed to counter the U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-class submarines, the Vepr features enhanced stealth through anechoic tiles and advanced sonar systems.

-It carries a formidable arsenal, including torpedoes and Kalibr cruise missiles. Though its nuclear reactor is outdated, modernization efforts, including reactor refueling and weapon upgrades, have extended its service life.

-Patrolling with Russia’s Northern Fleet, the Vepr remains moderately capable, but its solitary status as the only Akula II-class boat underscores its limited legacy.

Russian Akula II-class Submarine Still on Duty Since the Cold War Ended: There is only one boat with the Russian Akula II-class submarine designation, but it could serve in the fleet for decades to come.

This sub is called the Vepr (K-157). The boat was designed at the end of the Cold War, and it still patrols today. Its keel was laid down in 1990, and it entered service in 1994.

The Akula II originally consisted of three subs, but two, the Kuguar (K-337) and Rys (K-333), were never finished, and their hulls were converted into other Russian fleet submarines.

Succeeds the Akula I-class

The Akula II emerged seven years after the first Akula I-class boats began construction in 1983. The Akula I’s had better propellors and an improved hull design that made them quieter than other subs in the fleet. Akula’s were meant to rival the American Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarines. The Akula I’s were the successor of the Victor III-class and, at the time, were Russia’s most advanced boats.

Vepr Emerges as the Akula-II

The first Akula-I class production run consisted of seven submarines. A later flight of construction, called the Improved Akula-class, produced five boats.

Finally, a third model emerged, known as the Akula-II. One sub from this class was deemed the Vepr and made its first patrol in 1995. At the time, the Vepr had an up-to-date sonar system, the MGK 540.

This sonar had an enviable mechanism for identifying enemy vessels and could pick up other ships and submarines’ sonar signal effortlessly.

Quiet for Its Era

Meanwhile, the Vepr’s hull was covered in anechoic tiles to increase stealth and noise reduction. It may have been even quieter during its heyday than the Los Angeles class. The nuclear-powered Vepr had an older reactor first designed in the 1970s. This was a disadvantage for range, and it required at least one refueling.

Not Bad on Weapons

Despite the ancient propulsion system, the Vepr is blessed with a significant number of weapons choices consisting of Type 53 and 65 torpedoes, RPK-2 missiles, RPK-7 missiles, and mines. The Vepr was active until 2012 when it needed a reactor re-fueling. This modernization period enabled it to field the land-attack Kalibr cruise missile.

The Vepr can run 12 knots on the surface and a speedy 30 knots submerged. The operating depth is 1,700 feet. The crew consists of 73 sailors. The Vepr displaces 12,770 tons when submerged.

Award-winning Sub

The web site RusNavy.com said that the Vepr, “received a high appraisal by military inspection of Security Council of the Russian Federation; took first place in the fleet for longest tracking of a submarine; won the prize as ‘Winner of submarine contest in search and destruction of enemy’s nuclear submarine by torpedo attack.’” It was also awarded by the Russian Navy with a distinction for excellence in training in 2004.

Prying Eyes from NATO Have Spotted It

The Vepr is now patrolling with the Northern Fleet, although a NATO ship spotted it on the surface in the Baltic Sea in 2022. The British navy tracked it again that year northwest of Haakonsvern naval base off the coast of Norway. The Vepr was reportedly sailing from the Arctic Ocean to St. Petersburg. The Royal Navy was tracking the Vepr with a Poseidon P-8 anti-submarine airplane.

The Vepr is outdated although it is still a part of the Russian arsenal. The nuclear reactor is old, but it can still rival the U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-class in noise reduction. It is a pity that only one Akula-II class sub survived. This has to be seen as a disappointment since the boat had much potential as a nuclear-powered fast attack boat.

Nevertheless, Russia should be satisfied that the Akula II-class has still been running since the mid-1990s. The navy welcomes any fast-attack boat that is nuclear-powered, moderately quiet, and well-armed with the Kalibr cruise missile. Plus, the Vepr has enjoyed a long operational life and should serve the Russian navy for years to come.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.