Russia decommissions Akula class nuclear submarine Dmitry Donskoy


According to information published by Tass on February 8, 2023, the Russian Navy’s Project 941 Akula-class heavy nuclear-powered strategic submarine the Dmitry Donskoy has been decommissioned.
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Russian Vyborg Shipyard laid the Purga ice class coastguard ship of project 23550 925 001 Akula class submarine Dmitry Donskoy. (Picture source: gelio)


The Dmitry Donskoy was laid by Sevmash Shipyard in 1976 and launched on September 29, 1980. The acceptance report was signed on December 29, 1981.

Initially, intercontinental ballistic missiles of the D-19 complex were the main weapon of the submarine. In 2002, the sub was upgraded under project 941UM. Then, it was used to test the Bulava missile. In the summer of 2017, the Dmitry Donskoy sailed to the Baltic Fleet to take part in the Navy parade.

Overall, the Sevmash Shipyard built six Project 941 submarines for the Navy. All the subs were operational with the Northern Fleet. As of today, three of them have been disposed of with US funding. Two submarines, the Arkhangelsk and the Severstal, have been withdrawn from service and are awaiting disposal.

About the Project 941 submarine

Project 941 Akula (NATO reporting name Typhoon) is a class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines designed and built by the Soviet Union.

The class has a displacement of 23,200-24,500 tons surfaced and 48,000 tons submerged. She is 175 meters long and 23 meters wide, with a draft of 12 meters.

The propulsion system consists of 2 OK-650 pressurized-water nuclear reactors with a power output of 190 MWt each, and 2 geared steam turbines with a power output of 50,000 SHP each.

The submarines can reach speeds of 22.22 knots on the surface and 27 knots submerged, with a maximum endurance of 120+ days while submerged. The crew complement is 160 people.

The armament includes 1 9K38 Igla SAM, 4 533 mm torpedo tubes, 2 650 mm torpedo tubes, RPK-2 Vyuga antisubmarine missiles, Type 53 torpedoes, a D-19 launch system, and 20 RSM-52 SLBMs. The test depth is 900 meters.