Paltus-class submarine

Service And Conflict Use

1. Dec 26, 1984

   AS-21 is incorporated

   GlobalSecurity records AS-21 as the first Paltus boat to be incorporated into the program, before its 1991 launch and commission.

   Sources: Project 678 / Project 1851 - Nelma class / X-Ray class

2. Dec 28, 1991

   AS-21 enters service

   AS-21 came into operation in late 1991, giving the Project 1851.1 family its first active boat.

   Sources: Project 678 / Project 1851 - Nelma class / X-Ray class

3. Oct 12, 1995

   AS-35 joins the fleet

   The second Paltus boat, AS-35, entered operation in 1995 and completed the two-boat class described by open sources.

   Sources: Project 678 / Project 1851 - Nelma class / X-Ray class

4. Jun 27, 2024

   Modern seabed-warfare reporting still cites Paltus

   A recent seabed-warfare study and RUSI commentary still list Paltus among Russia's special-purpose submarines used for undersea infrastructure and special-mission work.

   Sources: Towards “Operation Ivy Bells 2.0”, Stalking the Seabed: How Russia Targets Critical Undersea Infrastructure

Related Weapon Systems

Naval SystemsAlmaz / X-RayDeep-diving nuclear special mission submarineAlmaz / X-Ray is the Soviet/Russian NATO-reporting-name family for the Project 1851 Nelma deep-diving special mission submarines. Open sources describe the 40-meter, titanium-hulled craft as carrier-borne vehicles with a diver lock-out, used for reconnaissance, cable tapping, rescue, and seabed recovery at about 1,000 meters.

Naval SystemsKashalot-class submarineDeep-diving special-purpose submarineThe Kashalot-class submarine is the NATO reporting name for Soviet Project 1910 deep-diving nuclear special-mission submarines. Open sources describe the titanium-hulled boats as covert seabed platforms with manipulator arms, side thrusters, and GUGI-linked undersea warfare roles rather than standard attack-submarine armament.

Naval SystemsLosharik submarineDeep-diving special-purpose submarineLosharik is Russia's Project 10831 AS-31 deep-diving nuclear-powered special-purpose submarine for GUGI undersea missions. Open reporting describes a titanium-hulled boat built around seven joined spherical pressure compartments, supported by a mothership, and still being repaired or tested after the 2019 fire.

Naval SystemsBorei-class submarineNuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN)The Borei-class submarine is Russia's Project 955/A nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarine family, built by Sevmash and designed by Rubin. NTI describes the class as 170 meters long, capable of 29 knots submerged, and armed with 16 Bulava SLBMs, while the improved Borei-A boats add quieter propulsion and updated control systems.

Naval SystemsDelta III-class submarineBallistic missile submarineThe Delta III-class submarine is the NATO reporting name for the Soviet Project 667BDR Kalmar, a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine built at Sevmash in Severodvinsk. FAS says the class carried 16 R-29R missiles, could fire any number of missiles in a single salvo, and introduced a MIRV-capable Soviet SSBN design that remains a reference point for Russia's aging strategic submarine force.

Naval SystemsDelta IV-class submarineNuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine classThe Delta IV-class submarine is a Soviet-designed, Russian-operated nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine class built at Sevmash from 1985 to 1992. NTI says the Russian Navy still fields seven boats in the Northern Fleet, and the class carries 16 SLBMs plus 533 mm torpedo tubes.

Sources