Russia’s Belgorod Submarine Is the World’s Largest… But, is It as Advanced as the US Ohio Class?

The Belgorod submarine is one of the new weapons that Russia has placed in service – and while the Russian Navy is not in its best condition, it still has certain weapons that are extremely lethal.

Actually, Russia’s new submarine, the Belgorod, is the biggest submarine ever built… And it is deadly enough to defy the best US Navy submarines.

What’s so special about the Belgorod submarine?

The Belgorod is the world’s largest submarine, and it just entered service on 8th July 2022. It is the best Russian nuclear-powered attack submarine and was named after the city of Belgorod in Russia.

This submarine clearly surpasses the largest current submarines, such as the Russian Typhoon class, Borei-class, or even the American Ohio Class.

Sailors moor the USS Ohio by Chief Petty Officer William Tonacchio US Navy

But, the Belgorod submarine’s main feature is its nuclear capability and mighty torpedos filled with artificial intelligence to act like drones.

These drones will accompany and protect the Belgorod in an actual combat situation, a modern concept that the Russian Navy is starting to apply.

Its overwhelming nuclear capacity is what makes it so dangerous

The Belgorod submarine is a cutting-edge vessel. It is designed for combat against enemy submarines, surface ships, and land targets.

It has new technologies for the Russian Navy standards, including the Poseidon torpedos, which are massive torpedos of up to 20 meters (64,5 feet) with the ability to carry nuclear payloads and dive 1000 meters (3280 feet).

But, the most impressive thing about these torpedoes is that they also operate as unmanned underwater vehicles. This submarine would control nuclear drones, and its destruction capacity would be similar to the American Ohio-class.

Ohio-class submarine launches Tomahawk Cruise missiles
Ohio-class submarine launches Tomahawk Cruise missiles by US Navy. Public Domain.

Some experts believe that its mission would be as a nuclear deterrent since it would be prepared to hit its enemies with nuclear torpedoes in a retaliatory attack causing a nuclear catastrophe in case Russia feels threatened.

The Belgorod compared to the other giant submarines

Belgorod Submarine vs TYPHOON
Belgorod Submarine vs TYPHOON by Bairuilong. Licensed under CC by 4.0

The Belgorod is considerably larger than its predecessor, the Typhoon class. It has a length of 184 meters (603 feet 8 inches), while the Typhoon class has 175 meters (574 feet 2 inches).

It is also much larger and heavier than the largest U.S. submarine, the Ohio class.

An Ohio class submarine weights 18,750 tons submerged, and it has a length of 170 meters (560 feet). But it falls short compared to Belgorod’s 30,000 tons submerged and its length of 184 meters (603 feet).

It is even bigger than the projected Columbia class. So, the title of the largest submarine will surely be held by the Belgorod for a few decades.

K-329 Belgorod submarine specs

  • Laid down: 1992
  • Commissioned: 8 July 2022
  • Status: In service
  • Class and type: Oscar II-class submarine
  • Displacement: 30,000 tons submerged
  • Length: 184 meters (603 feet 8 inches)
  • Beam: 15 meters (49 feet 3 inches)
  • Speed: 32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph)
  • Range: Unlimited
  • Test depth: 520 meters (1,710 feet)
  • Crew: 110 sub-mariners
  • Armament: 6 Poseidon drones

This sea behemoth will put Russia back on the map of sea powers

With this submarine, Russia will have even more nuclear power – and not even the US, with all its conventional and innovative weapons, could pose an existential danger to Russia, which continues to invest in heavyweight nuclear deterrents.


Featured image credit: Томск в Вилючинске by Sergey Konovalov. Licensed under CC by 4.0

Mario Samuel Camacho

Mario Samuel Camacho is a full-time copywriter and content writer. For the past 5 years, Mario has been constantly learning in a quest to better himself and those around him.

He aims to help people fulfill their dreams through his expertise.

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