Russian Nuclear Sub to Launch Two Bulava SLBMs in Barents Sea Drill

A Russian nuclear submarine will launch Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles as part of the Northern Fleet’s routine test of the country’s nuclear deterrent capability, the newspaper Izvestia wrote on Wednesday. The two Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missiles will be fired either by the Borei-class nuclear-powered submarine Yuri Dolgoruky or her sister ship, the Vladimir Monomakh, Izvestiya reported citing a source at the Northern Fleet’s headquarters.

The Borei-class submarines are the future of the Russian Navy. Eight such submarines are to replace the older generation Dolphin subs. The upcoming launch will test the submarines’ ability to fire 16 SLBMs while moving from the depth of 50 meters in choppy seas. READ MORE