Like the other submarines in its class, the Yakutsk features advanced noise-reduction technology and a low acoustic signature, making it one of the quietest conventional submarines in the world.
As America’s defense industrial base—notably its naval shipyards—remains in the throes of crisis, Russia’s naval shipyards continue meeting the benchmarks their leaders have set out for them to make.
Enter the Yakutsk, the sixth-and-final unit in the Russian Navy’s Project 636.3 Varshavyanka-class—known more generally by its NATO reporting name, the Kilo-class. Assigned to the Russian Pacific Fleet, this new diesel-electric submarine is the last of the newest tranche of iconic Kilo-class upgraded submarines the Russian Navy was set to receive.
An advanced variant of earlier Kilo-class submarines designed by the legendary Rubin Central Design Bureau, these submarines are known for their stealth—earning the nickname “Black Hole” from the US Navy due to their low acoustic signature. The subs are primarily intended for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, intelligence gathering, and strategic missile strikes.
Understanding the Yakutsk’s Mission
The Yakutsk, along with her five other sister subs, were intended to bolster the Russian Pacific Fleet’s capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. For years, the Putin government has striven to augment Russia’s tenuous grip on its resource-rich—though sparsely populated and underdeveloped—Far Eastern regions.
While Russia’s navy is nowhere near the size and scale of America’s or China’s, Russian submarine capabilities are second only to the United States. The deployment of the Yakutsk to the Indo-Pacific suggests that Russia intends to concentrate more fully on securing its interests in this lucrative region.
Yakutsk deployed from the Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg, which is part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC). This shipyard has been the sole manufacturer of the Kilo-class upgraded submarines for the Russian Navy. The keel for the Yakutsk was laid in August 2021, and she was launched on October 11, 2024. After passing all of her inspections, the Yakutsk was delivered to the Russian Navy on June 11, 2025. The ceremony was overseen in St. Petersburg by the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Vorobyev.
This submarine displaces around 2,350 tons while surfaced and between 3,100-4,000 tons when submerged. The Yakutsk is powered by two diesel generators and an electric motor driving a single, seven-bladed fixed-pitch propeller. It can achieve a top speed of 17 knots (19.56 miles per hour) surfaced and 20 knots (23 mph) when submerged; it has an operational depth of 787 feet and a maximum depth of 984 feet. The submarine can travel up to 7,500 miles while snorkeling and, when operating at an economic speed, its range is around 460 miles when submerged.
Like the other submarines in its upgraded class, the Yakutsk features advanced noise-reduction technology, improved acoustic stealth, and a low acoustic signature, making it one of the quietest conventional submarines in the world—and a real threat to NATO ships. Six 533mm bow torpedo tubes line the submarine and are capable of launching heavy torpedoes, such as the UGST, 53-65K, or USET-80K for anti-submarine and anti-ship roles. These submarines can deploy up to 24 naval mines as an alternative to torpedoes, too.
The new Kilos come equipped with the mighty Kalibr-PL cruise missile system—including the 3M14 missiles for land-attack missions and 3M54 for anti-ship missions. What’s more, the Yakutsk can fire four Kalibr missiles in a single salvo at short intervals, with a maximum load of eight missiles. A man-portable air-defense system for surface operations is also available.
Yakutsk’s MGK-400EM sonar system is particularly powerful as its MG-519EM sonar which is used for mine detection.
The Difference Between the American Sub Fleet and Russia’s
The United States is married to its nuclear-powered submarine force—and indeed, America’s nuclear submarines are extremely potent. But America’s naval shipyards cannot keep up with demand, let alone meet increased expectations as the world moves toward a war footing.
Submarines will play key roles in any potential great power conflicts. The Russians have figured out how to build a truly dynamic submarine force that is a mixture of both nuclear-powered and diesel-electric-powered subs. By having such a mix, the Kremlin will remain competitive—ensuring that it will have staying power in any naval fight, and will not be hamstrung by overreliance on the costlier and more complex nuclear-powered submarines that the Americans have committed themselves to.
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: Shutterstock / Sergei Fokin.
