The Belgorod special-purpose nuclear submarine will serve in the Pacific Ocean after passing state trials and commissioning, the Russian TASS agency reported.
“According to preliminary information, the Belgorod submarine will serve in the Pacific Ocean after commissioning. However, it would be able to perform missions in any location of the World Ocean,” the source of TASS said.
TASS does not have any commentary by Sevmash, the submarine’s manufacturer, on this point.
The Belgorod is expected to enter state trials in May 2021. Another source disclosed that, in addition to the Poseidon nuclear drones, the submarine will carry the AS-15 deep-sea nuclear station.
The Project 09852 Belgorod submarine:
The Project 09852 submarine – the first-ever carrier of Poseidon nuclear underwater drones – was launched on April 23, 2019. The submarine was initially scheduled for commissioning in 2020.
Under the current armament program, three special-purpose submarines will be built before 2027.
Intended for special missions, the K-329 Belgorod is based within the 29th autonomous division of the North fleet, thus, its operational capacities confine it to the almost exclusive service of the Direction of Deep Diving of the Department of Defense (GUGI) reporting directly to the Russian Defense Ministry, but not to the Russian Navy.
Specifications:
- Displacement: greater than 14,700 tonnes surfaced (est. 17,000 tonnes), 24,000 tonnes submerged (estimated 30,000 tonnes)
- Length: ~ 184 meters
- Beam: ~ 15 meters
- Speed: <32 knots
- Range: Unlimited supposed
- Endurance: Approximately 4 months
- Operating depth: Estimated as 500–520 meters per OSCAR-II SSGN
- Propulsion: nuclear (2 x pressurized water reactor OK-650M.02 with a capacity of 190 MW driving two steam turbines and twin screws. Plus at least two outboard thrusters.
- Armament: 6 x Poseidon (KANYON) nuclear torpedoes , 6 x 533 mm (21″) torpedo tubes
