Key Points – Russia’s Akula II-class nuclear-powered attack submarine Vepr (K-157), a late Cold War-era design, remains a versatile and potent asset despite the broader Akula-class aging.
-It was built with one mission in mind: to compete with U.S. and NATO submarines.
-Commissioned in 1995, the Vepr boasts a top submerged speed of 35 knots, a double-hull for enhanced quietness and survivability, and innovative (for its time) wake-detection technology.
-It is capable of diverse missions including anti-submarine/surface warfare, land attack with Granat and Kalibr cruise missiles (used against Ukraine from the Black Sea), intelligence gathering, and escort duties.
-While the Akula-class is fading into obsolescence, the Vepr continues to be a formidable presence.
Russia’s Akula II-class Submarines Are Versatile and Still Deadly
The Russian navy has seen better days.
There is the country’s only aircraft carrier that may never sail again.
Its Black Sea flagship, the Moskva, was sunk by the Ukrainians in the early stages of the war.
Plus, Vladimir Putin has sometimes to hold his breath when he commands the navy to patrol outside its region. One bright spot are submarines and the maritime branch has a full complement of “boomer” subs that can launch nuclear weapons and nuclear-powered fast attack boats that are hunter-killers.
One submarine class that is noteworthy is the Akula family. The nuclear-powered Akula II variant has only one submarine in the class – the Vepr, but this older boat keeps on ticking.
Confusingly, another sub is sometimes considered part of the Akula II-class too (the Gepard), but this submarine is typically categorized as the Akula III-class. They are similar submarines.
This ‘Shark’ Has Teeth
The Akula II-class or “shark” was designed during the Cold War.
The Vepr is a third-generation submarine and when it came out it was seen as a formidable beast. It is speedy and stealthy with the ability to sneak around enemy submarine screens and target its torpedoes on adversarial shipping.
Variable Mission Set that Allows It to Stand Apart
The Akula II-class has many mission parameters. The first order of business is to take out enemy submarines and shipping. Then the Akula-class escorts Russian warships. Next is the ability to fire Granat and Kalibr cruise missiles. It also protects the homeland and creates a defensive shield from American aircraft carriers that could stray close to Russian borders. Since the sub is nuclear-powered the range is unlimited except when taking a break for more food, water, and other supplies (endurance is about 100 days). The Akula II-class is also good for collecting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data.
Smaller Stature But Punches Above Its Weight
The Akula II-class is 380 feet in length with room for only 52 personnel. The medium-sized vessel is swift with a top speed of 35 knots submerged. The Akula II-class was laid down in 1990 and joined the fleet in 1994 with its first deployment in 1995.
The Akula II variants had three original subs, but two, the Kuguar (K-337) and Rys (K-333), were never completed due to the post-Cold War drawdown, and their hulls were carried over and meshed into other Russian fleet submarines.
The Akula II-class can even lay mines with its submarine tubes and they can launch decoys. There are anti-aircraft missiles on board too although these are more for the last line of defense rather than offense.
Surprising Speed and Stealth
Akula-class subs were ahead of their time in the 1980s when the boats were introduced. They combined a high level of speed and stealth in those days. Russia believed they were better than the American Los Angeles-class and the U.S. Navy command structure were concerned that the Russian submarine service had leapt ahead. It wasn’t clear in those days if existing American sonar systems could spot and track the Akula boats.
Early Technology Was Noteworthy
The Akula II-class had some innovations that concerned the U.S. Navy. The double-hull system made them quieter. This gave the sub more buoyancy and better survivability. Another feature was its wake detection technology.
This was known as the “System Obnarujenia Kilvaternovo Sleda.” Let’s say an enemy warship was steaming on the surface; it would provide a telltale wake from its propulsion system. There would be changes on the surface waters that had different temperatures and salinity. The Akula II-class could sense these anomalies, and weapons could better lock on to the ships for excellent targeting.
The Akula II-class Vepr boat could continue to serve the Russian navy in years to come. It gives the maritime force various types of missions – the main of which is hunting and killing, but launching cruise missiles has been a plus when the Vepr has served in the Black Sea to send the projectiles at targets in Ukraine.
The Akula II-class was not as awe-inspiring as the Russians intended. The most significant advantage is the versatility of the different abilities used to deliver the goods in battle. The Akula-class was dominant when it first came out, but has since faded into obsolescence.
The Vepr is still a multi-mission force of nature that keeps sailors from the U.S. Navy’s Silent Service on their toes.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
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