Russia’s improved Project 885M (Yasen-M) nuclear-powered submarines will feature the capability of salvo-launching Kalibr-PL and Oniks cruise missiles.
The nuclear-powered submarine Kazan made a salvo launch of two missiles from a vertical launcher and a torpedo tube during state trials, according to the Russian TASS agency.
In November 2020, “the Kazan made a salvo during state trials, which confirmed the possibility of such launches,” the TASS reported. A Kalibr-PL cruise missile was fired from a vertical launcher against a coastal target while an Oniks missile was launched from a torpedo tube against a surface target. Both targets were successfully struck, the source of TASS specified.
It was reported in early April that shipbuilders would deliver the improved Project 885M (Yasen-M) lead nuclear-powered submarine Kazan to the Russian Fleet by Navy Day that will be celebrated on July 25 this year.
YASEN-M Class Kazan
The Project 885M lead nuclear-powered submarine Kazan was floated out at the Sevmash Shipyard on March 31, 2017. The sub entered shipbuilders’ sea trials on September 25, 2018.
The timeframe of the sub’s delivery to the Russian Navy was numerously rescheduled. The nuclear-powered sub failed to fulfil the planned program of state trials on schedule for some reasons. The Sevmash Shipyard press office announced on December 31 that the Kazan would be delivered to the Navy in 2021.
It was reported that the Kazan had fulfilled the program of Kalibr and Oniks cruise missile launches during the trials and no other launches were planned.
Project 885/885M submarines are armed with Kalibr-PL and Oniks cruise missiles and will eventually carry Tsirkon hypersonic missiles as their basic weapons.
