Oscar II-class

Summary

Description

The Oscar class submarines, with Soviet designations Project 949 Granit and Project 949A Antey (known as Oscar I and Oscar II by NATO), are nuclear-powered cruise missile submarines that were conceived in the Soviet Union for the Soviet Navy. The class includes the fourth largest submarines in terms of displacement and length, surpassed only by the Soviet Typhoon-class, Russian Borei-class, and American Ohio-class submarines. As of 2023, six remain in service with the Russian Navy, and two are undergoing modernization.

Project 949 submarines, created to attack NATO carrier battle groups, were originally commissioned in the 1980s. Their operational strategy involved utilizing long-range P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles in conjunction with satellite targeting data. Despite the economic troubles after the fall of the Soviet Union, the Oscar class remained a priority for the Russian Navy, continuing operations in both the Northern and Pacific Fleets.

The modernization efforts for the Oscar-class submarines were initiated in 2011, aimed at prolonging their service life and augmenting combat capabilities. The modernized submarines, identified as Project 949AM, are anticipated to integrate an array of advanced systems including the replacement of P-700 missiles with up to 72 3M-54 Kalibr or P-800 Oniks anti-ship cruise missiles. Russian officials expect this enhancement to make these submarines comparable to the next-generation Yasen-class cruise missile submarines. Reports in 2021 suggested four Oscar II-class submarines might join Russia's Pacific Fleet after modernization.

Distinctive physical characteristics differentiate the two versions of the Oscar class. Project 949A Antey submarines, longer by about 10 meters, allowed for improved electronics and quieter propulsion compared to their predecessors. Features like an enlarged fin and seven-blade propellers also mark the class, in addition to double hull construction, a double bridge design, and an emergency crew escape capsule incorporated within the fin.

Project 09852 concerns a specialized variant of the Oscar II class, the submarine Belgorod, which began construction in 2012 and was intended for research and rescue missions. Belgorod is notably equipped to transport various underwater vessels, including the rumored Poseidon nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed drones. Following its launch, Belgorod underwent trials and was subsequently delivered to the Russian Navy in July 2022.

Technical specifications

Silhouette