Russian submarine test-fires Bulava ICBM from White Sea

The Russian Navy’s ballistic missile submarine Knyaz Oleg successfully launched a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the White Sea to the Kura range in Kamchatka as part of state trials on Thursday, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

“Within the framework of the program of state trials, the Knyaz Oleg strategic ballistic missile submarine fired a Bulava ballistic missile from the waters of the White Sea. The launch of the ballistic missile was performed from an underwater position to the Kura range in Kamchatka,” the military agency said.

The Defense Ministry reported that, according to confirmed data of the objective control, “the missile’s warheads successfully reached the designated area at the estimated time.”

Knyaz Oleg is the first serial Project 955A Borei-A class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine.

On June 23, CEO of the Sevmash Shipyard (a subsidiary of the United Shipbuilding Corporation) Mikhail Budnichenko told TASS that the submarine would undergo state trials in the second half of the year and would be delivered to the Navy by the end of the year. Earlier TASS reported, citing a source in the military-industrial complex, that the Knyaz Oleg sub would launch a Bulava missile from an underwater position to the Kura range in Kamchatka during state trials this November.

Borei- and Borei-A-class submarines, produced by the Rubin Central Design Bureau of Marine Engineering, carry 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles and are equipped with 533mm torpedo tubes. According to the Defense Ministry, compared to the baseline Borei series, Borei-A subs feature better acoustic stealth, maneuvering and deep-sea running capabilities, as well as an improved armament control system.

Check out Naval Library App to find out more about the specifications of the Borei-A class submarines.