Russia’s Largest Military Shipyard Floats Out Next Yasen-M Class Nuclear Powered Attack Submarine

Russia’s sole producer of nuclear powered submarines the Sevmash Shipyard has floated out the latest Yasen-M class nuclear-powered attack submarine Ulyanovsk, which is the sixth ship of its class. "Today, on July 28, the Sevmash Enterprise of the United Shipbuilding Corporation held a ceremony of rolling out the Project Yasen-M multi-purpose nuclear-powered submarine cruiser Ulyanovsk from its slipway," the Russian Defence Ministry announced. The ship will operate under the Navy’s Northern Fleet, and was laid down almost exactly nine years prior to its launch on July 27, 2017. Its launch closely coincides with confirmation that the fifth Yasen-M class submarine, the Perm, will enter service before the end of 2026, and will be the world’s first equipped with hypersonic cruise missiles.

The Yasen-M is the world’s largest attack submarine class, and integrates an unusually powerful sonar suite, with the distinctive massive spherical bow sonar occupying much of its forward section, forcing torpedo tubes to be relocated farther aft. Its situational awareness is one of the most important component of the design, with its enormous bow array intended to provide outstandingly long detection ranges. This reflects a recognition that in modern submarine warfare, the side that detects its opponent first often gains a decisive advantage, thus making it highly complementary to the major advances in quieting capabilities to make the Yasen-M class less detectable. The ship’s quieting measures are particularly extensive, with machinery is mounted on vibration-damping platforms, while considerable effort was invested in reducing hydrodynamic noise.

Commenting on the floating of the Ulyanovsk, Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev observed: "In June this year, the renowned Sevmash Shipyard laid down the nuclear-powered submarine Murmansk while today the sixth cruiser in the Project’s series, the Ulyanovsk, is being rolled out of its slipway.” “This is evidence of systemic work to renew the fleet and raise the Navy’s combat capabilities. The construction of the Ulyanovsk sub will be completed afloat and it will undergo a series of trials. The submarine will subsequently operate within the Red Banner Northern Fleet and continue the glorious traditions of its predecessors,” he added. 

Admiral Moiseyev in March confirmed that the Navy would transition to fielding a nuclear powered attack submarine fleet comprised exclusively of Yasen and Yasen-M class ships within the next 10 years. He  observed that the submarines have outstanding search, strike, and defensive capabilities, and are outstandingly well armed. "As for ammunition, they are equipped with all the Navy’s modern missile weapons – Kalibr, Oniks, Zircon, and naval underwater weapons. The subs can operate covertly and for extended periods in virtually any area of the ocean and, of course, pose a great threat to naval groups and land targets of any adversary," he stated.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was confirmed on July 24, 2025, to have given instructions to continue the serial production of Yasen-M Class submarines, emphasising their role as the backbone of the Navy’s general-purpose forces. “It is crucial to continue the serial production of the Yasen-M Class submarines," he stated at the time, adding that four were being built and another two were planned. The Sevmash Shipyard 11 months later in June laid down another Yasen-M class submarine, the Murmansk, as the ninth of its class to begin construction. The Russian Navy has made only  limited investments in its surface fleet since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, with no new cruiser or destroyer sized ships having been procured. Investments have been disproportionately focused on the attack submarine fleet.