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A Killer Submarine or Not?: Russia’s Lada-class submarines represent a significant upgrade over their Kilo-class predecessors, featuring a monohull design, hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells, and advanced noise reduction systems.

-The newest addition, Velikiye Luki, is undergoing sea trials, while two others—Kronstadt and Sankt-Petersburg—are operational.

-Despite initial development struggles, including a decade-long delay and design flaws, the Lada-class boasts impressive stealth, a 45-day patrol capacity, and powerful armaments like 533mm torpedoes and cruise missiles.

-These submarines are particularly suited for operations in the Arctic and Baltic Seas, enhancing Russia’s naval capabilities amid its broader maritime struggles.

Russia’s Lada-Class Submarines: A Stealthy Upgrade with Firepower to Match

The Russian navy’s Black Sea fleet has struggled in the war in Ukraine, but some good news has emerged. One of its fourth-generation diesel-electric attack submarines has entered sea trials. Dubbed the Lada-class or Project 677, and the third of the Russian subfamily, the Velikiye Luki has been assigned to the Baltic fleet and is undergoing ocean tests.

The Velikiye Luki is the second operating Lada-class submarine after the Sankt-Petersburg (the initial prototype) and the Kronstadt – the first serial unit.

Double-Hull Design Is a New Departure for Engineers

The Lada-class make up the next iteration of Russian subs after the Project 636 Kilo-class.

The Ladas have a monohull design instead of the familiar double-hull design Russian submarine engineers have used since World War Two. The boats are built by Admiralty Shipyards. At 1,765 tons, the Ladas are lighter than the Kilos, making them faster, more agile, and increasingly quiet.

Polish Navy submarine, Kilo-Class.

The Ladas can dive almost 1,000 feet. One reason the Lada class is stealthier with greater range and diving ability is its use of hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells. Two diesel engines with an electric motor enable a speed of 21 knots submerged and 10 knots on the surface. Each patrol can last 45 days. The Russian navy seeks to acquire eight Lada-class boats.

Lada-Class: Many Improvements In This Generation of Subs

Meanwhile, another member of the Lada class, the Kronstadt, was commissioned in January. It has been assigned to the Northern Fleet’s 161st Submarine Brigade.

The Lada class dates back to 1997 with the emergence of the Sankt-Petersburg. This prototype took to the sea in 2004. The Sankt-Petersburg had a stronger hull made of AB-2 strength steel. The hull had an improved coating for better noise reduction. It also featured a new sonar system and optimized combat control mechanisms.

There Have Been Development Difficulties

But the fourth generation Lada-class had endured a checkered history.

There have been reports that it was going to be canceled in 2012. One admiral even spoke about the demise of the entire class. “[T]he declared technical parameters of the Project 677 submarines have not been confirmed by tests of the prototype ‘St. Petersburg.’ In its current form, the Russian Navy does not need the Lada,” according to Naval News.

Kilo-Class

Kilo-Class Submarine.

There were apparently flaws in the Ladas’ design and onboard systems, but the Russians did not give up. They resumed construction in 2013. The prototype Sankt Petersburg began sea trials, but it was not fully operational until 2021.

This long development phase showed how Russian engineers have struggled to build the Lada class.

Construction on More Lada Boats Is Ongoing

Workers have laid the keel on two other Lada-class subs: the Vologda and Yaroslavl. The Lada-class has a small crew of only 35 sailors.

The armaments, however, are impressive. They consist of modern 533mm torpedoes. They can also launch Sizzler and Oniks anti-ship cruise missiles and lay mines. The cruise missiles are effective up to 190 miles away.

While it is encouraging that the Lada-class submarines are moving forward, the Russian maritime industrial base has struggled. It took over two decades for the Ladas to reach maturity. They are quiet and powerful, though. Despite the development issues, Russia has one of the best submarine programs in the world.

Kilo-Class

Pictured is a Kilo-Class Russian Submarine in the English Channel. The image was taken from Royal Navy Wildcat HMA2 Helicopter of 815 Naval Air Squadron. Kilo class is the NATO reporting name for the diesel-electric attack submarine.

What Are the Advantages of the Lada Program?

The Ladas are quiet due to the next-generation propulsion system and new hull design. It makes one wonder why Russian builders have not incorporated mono-hull design into other subs since the 1940s. This shows that these engineers can be stubborn and resistant to change.

The Lada-class will probably be ideal for the Northern Fleet and be able to patrol the Arctic. The Baltic Sea fleet will likely make good use of the Ladas, too. These are two areas of operation that are integral to Russian undersea warfare. The Ladas will be able to sneak up on enemy ships and launch their cruise missiles to full effect. They are not large subs with a high number of sailors, but they pack a punch.

Vladimir Putin should be pleased that the Russian navy did not cancel the Lada program. The Russian military is looking for good news these days after struggling so much with its navy in the Black Sea. The Ladas have primarily delivered on their promise despite long delays in their development. They are quiet and maneuverable, with heavy firepower that could easily attack enemy shipping, including aircraft carriers.

Diesel Submarine

A Russian-built, Kilo-class diesel submarine recently purchased by Iran, is towed by a support vessel in this photograph taken in the central Mediterranean Sea during the week of December 23. The submarine and the support ship arrived at Port Said, Egypt, on Tuesday and were expected to begin transiting the Suez Canal today, Jan. 2, 1996. Ships and aircraft from the U.S. NavyÕs Sixth Fleet are tracking the submarine, which has been making the transit on the surface. This is the third Kilo-class submarine the Iranians have purchased from Moscow. DoD photo

The Ladas are submarines that should be watched closely.

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.