Navy Recognition:
US Navy experts believe the Russian Navy’s most dangerous weapons systems are the Project 885 Yasen-class (NATO reporting name: Severodvinsk-class) nuclear-powered attack submarine, Project 22350 (Admiral Gorshkov-class) frigate and Kalibr (SS-N-27 Sizzler) sea-launched cruise missile system and the future Tsirkon hypersonic missile system as well, according to the Izvestia daily.
Michael Petersen, director, Russia Maritime Studies Institute (RMSI), told the Izvestia that the Russian Navy reached a radically new level of development and was worth close study. RMSI was established under the aegis of the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, in 2016. The think tank’s remit includes gathering and analyzing information for both the US Navy and NATO allies.
“The Russian Navy’s surface component seems to me mostly defensive. Occurrence of such submarines like Yasen is often taken by the US Navy as a reason for concern,” Petersen said. “It’s a very powerful and dangerous submarine, and we don’t understand quite well for which goals it was created.”
The Project 885 submarines are fourth-generation nuclear-powered ships carrying cruise missiles. The Russian Navy commissioned the lead ship, the Severodvinsk, in 2014. The primary purpose of the submarines in the class is antisubmarine and antisurface warfare [ASW and ASuW respectively] and land attacks with cruise missiles.
“The Tsirkon hypersonic and Kalibr cruise missiles are of interest,” Petersen continued. “These are formidable weapons embodying impressive technological advances. I would note the sophisticated Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates from the surface force development point of view. The ships have very impressive capabilities.”
