If the Soviet Navy’s base at Cienfuegos, Cuba, had been fully established before the Nixon administration intervened to stop it, these submarines would have been operating just off American shores.
Officially designated as Project 667A “Navaga” by the Soviet Union, the Yankee-class submarine (NATO designation) stands as one of the most significant naval developments of the Cold War era. Entering service in the late 1960s, these nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), represented a major leap forward in Soviet naval capabilities, enabling the Soviet Red Navy to project strategic power across the globe to better counter the United States’ growing submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) arsenal.
In fact, the Soviets were so invested in this program—and the Americans were so worried about its potential threat—that a second Cuban Missile Crisis almost erupted over the possibility that the Soviets were readying to base these submarines at the port of Cienfuegos, Cuba in 1970.
The Yankee-Class Submarine’s Specs
The Yankee-class submarines were developed in response to the United States’ deployment of the Polaris missile submarines, such as the George Washington and Lafayette-classes in the late 1950s and 60s.
The Soviet Navy, recognizing the strategic importance of a credible second-strike capability, sought to close the gap in nuclear deterrence. Prior to the Yankee-class, the Soviet Union relied on diesel-electric submarines, such as the Golf and Hotel-classes (NATO designations). These older Soviet subs carried ballistic missiles like the R-11FM and R-13. However, they were woefully limited by their noisy propulsion systems, short missile ranges, and the need to surface to launch missiles, making them vulnerable to detection and attack.
In the early 1960s, the TsKB-18 Soviet design bureau (later Rubin Design Bureau) began work on “Project 667A,” aiming to create a nuclear-powered submarine capable of carrying advanced SLBMs. The goal was to produce a platform that could operate stealthily, remain submerged for extended periods, and deliver nuclear warheads to targets thousands of miles away. The resulting Yankee-class submarines became the Soviet Union’s first true SSBNs, making a significant step toward achieving strategic parity with the United States.
For their time, Yankee-class submarines were a technological marvel, incorporating advanced nuclear propulsion and missile systems. These submarines could displace around 9,600 tons, the Yankee-class was comparable in size to its American rivals.
Powered by two VM-4 pressurized nuclear water reactors, each driving a steam turbine, the submarines could reach speeds up to 27 knots (31 miles per hour) when submerged and could operate months without the need to resurface.
The lead variant of the Yankee-class submarine carried 16 R-27 SLBMS, each with a range of approximately 1,491-1,864 miles and capable of carrying a single one-megaton nuclear warhead. In later variants, that warhead could be equipped with multiple independent reentry vehicles (MIRVs), increasing the potential nuclear threat.
The R-27 missiles were housed in vertical launch tubes located in the submarine’s sail and midsection, a design inspired by American SSBNs. Unlike earlier Soviet missile subs, the Yankee-class could launch its missiles while submerged, significantly enhancing its survivability and deterrence value.
In addition to its ballistic missiles, the Yankee-class was equipped with six 533mm torpedo tubes, capable of firing both conventional torpedoes and anti-submarine weapons such as the Type 53-61 torpedo. This secondary armament allowed the submarines to defend themselves against surface ships and enemy submarines, though their primary role remained strategic deterrence.
The submarines were also fitted with advanced sonar systems, including the MGK-100 Kerch, and navigation systems like the Tobo, which improved their ability to operate covertly and accurately target their missiles.
The first Yankee-class submarine, K-137 Leninets, was commissioned in 1967. A total of 34 subamrines of the class were built under the auspices of Project 667A and its variants between 1967-74. They were deployed primarily with the Soviet Northern Fleet, based in the Barents Sea, and the Pacific Fleet, operating from bases on the Kamchatka Peninsula. If the Soviet Navy’s base at Cienfuegos, Cuba, had been fully established before the Nixon administration intervened to stop it, these submarines would have been operating just off American shores, too.
Yankee-class submarines conducted regular deterrence patrols, often operating under the Arctic ice cap to evade detection by Western anti-submarine warfare (ASW) forces. These patrols were grueling, with crews enduring months of isolation in cramped conditions. The submarines’ ability to remain hidden while carrying a devastating nuclear payload made them a cornerstone of Soviet strategic doctrine, ensuring that the USSR could retaliate against a nuclear first strike.
The Yankee-Class Submarines Had Flaws, Too
Of course, the new Soviet submarines were not without their share of challenges. Early models were noisier than their American counterparts, making them more susceptible to detection by advanced sonar systems. The R-27 missiles’ relatively short range also required the submarines to operate closer to US territory—another reason the Red Navy wanted to base some of these subs at Cienfuegos.
To address these limitations, the Soviet Union introduced improved variants that carried longer-range R-29 missiles. Additionally, some Yankee-class submarines were converted to other roles, including cruise missile carriers and attack submarines, extending their operational utility.
One of the most notable incidents involving a Yankee-class submarine occurred in 1986, when K-219 suffered a catastrophic missile fuel leak and fire off the coast of Bermuda. The submarine surfaced, and despite heroic efforts by the crew to save the vessel, it sank after several days.
Four sailors died onboard and the submarine was lost. The incident highlighted the dangers of operating nuclear-powered submarines with volatile liquid-fueled missiles. It also raised concerns about environmental contamination from the sunken reactor and warheads.
Ultimately, the Yankee-class was an important Soviet submarine in the Cold War. It served as a credible deterrent against their Western foes and helped maintain the balance of power.
Indeed, the Yankee-class paved the way for more advanced Soviet SSBNs, such as the Delta and Typhoon-classes, which carried longer-range missiles and incorporated stealthier designs. In turn, these submarines were gradually phased out during the 1980s as newer platforms entered service.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
