Russia to move newest nuclear sub to Pacific in August

The Generalissimo Suvorov, which will enter service at the end of 2022, is part of the new Borei class of low-profile, manoeuvrable submarines.

Russia plans to move its latest nuclear submarine to a permanent base on the Kamchatka Peninsula in August, according to Russia’s state news agency TASS, as Moscow ramps up its military presence in the Pacific.

The Generalissimo Suvorov, which entered service in late 2022, carries up to 16 Russian Bulava nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles, each of which can carry more than one warhead.

“The submarine Generalissimo Suvorov will make an international transition from the Northern Fleet (in the Arctic) to the Pacific Fleet in August,” TASS said, citing a source close to the military department.

“The transition will be carried out along the Northern Sea Route, including in an underwater position.”

Russia has strengthened defenses in its vast regions of the Far East bordering Asia and the Pacific, raising security concerns in Japan and across the region at a time of heightened concern over China’s growing military might . The United States has also increased its presence in the region, signing a security pact with Papua New Guinea this week.

The Generalissimo Suvorov was one of several new ships commissioned late last year by Russian President Vladimir Putin as he pledged to further strengthen the country’s navy. Russian news agencies reported that it was intended to strengthen the nuclear-powered fleet at the Rybachiy submarine base. on the Kamchatka Peninsula.

“We will increase the pace and scale of construction of several ships and equip them with the most modern weapons,” Putin said at the time.

“All in all to reliably ensure the security of Russia and the protection of our national interests in the world ocean,” he added.

The submarine is the sixth ship in Russia’s Borei class of smaller and low-profile submarines, Russian agencies have reported. They will replace the country’s previous generations of ballistic missile submarines.