Charlie-class

Summary

Description

The Project 670 Skat submarine, known under NATO classification as the Charlie class, was a nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine operational in the Soviet Navy and subsequently in the Russian Navy. This class of submarines comprised of two distinct iterations: Charlie I and the improved Charlie II, with the latter featuring additional technology and missile systems. Both classes have been fully decommissioned with the last of the class retired in 1994. One of these submarines was utilized to test the Oniks missile. The design for these submarines was credited to the Lazurit Central Design Bureau of Gorky.

The Charlie I-class submarine was first launched in 1967 at the Krasnoye Sormovo inland shipyard with a total of eleven units constructed over five years. The initial armament was supposed to be the P-120 Malakhit medium-range anti-ship missile, but due to development delays, the submarines were initially equipped with the shorter-range P-70 Ametist missiles. These missiles allowed for stealthy 'pop-up' surprise attacks against high-value surface targets, particularly aircraft carriers.

Subsequent refinements led to the creation of Charlie II class, also referred to as Project 670M Skat-M. Between 1972 and 1979, six Charlie II submarines were built, featuring a notable 8-meter insert that housed advanced electronics and launch systems for the P-120 Malakhit missile. Once the Charlie class submarines expended their missile payload, they were required to return to port for reloading. However, they were also equipped with torpedoes and sonar systems, which provided capabilities for anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare beyond their primary role as missile platforms.

An operational incident during this period included the sinking of K-429 near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in 1983, which resulted in 16 fatalities. This vessel was later recovered and used as a training hulk, although it sank again in 1985 before being eventually decommissioned. Additionally, to foster experience in nuclear submarine operations, the Indian Navy leased one unit (renamed as Chakra) from 1988 to 1991.

In total, eleven Charlie I submarines were constructed between 1968 and 1973, with the last being decommissioned in the early 1990s. Meanwhile, six Charlie II submarines were built between 1973 and 1980. All units of both classes were ultimately scrapped between 1990 and 1994, marking the end of the operational history of the Charlie-class submarines. These vessels played a significant role during the peak years of the Cold War, symbolizing the advanced military technology capabilities and strategic prowess of the Soviet naval forces.

Technical specifications

Silhouette