Class name: Fourth-generation SSBN (Delta IV follow-on) (Project:?)
Producer (country/manufacturer): Russia/Severodvinsk
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): [?] 13,000-15,000 (submerged)
Dimensions (ft/m): (unknown)
Armament: est. sixteen SS-N-? SLBMs; six 650mm and 533mm torpedo tubes with about 20 weapons
Machinery: PWRs with steam turbines driving two 7-bladed screws;? SHP
Speed (knots): [?] 25–30 (submerged)
Number in class:?
Users: Russia
Comments: Should the Russians choose to build a fourth-generation SSBN, it will probably be based upon the highly successful Delta IV boat. Improvements will probably be limited to further quieting and some refinement to weapons (improved targeting and accuracy), as well as sensors.
Class name: Kilo (Russian: Varshavyanka class) (Project 877)
Producer (country/manufacturer): Russia/Komsomolsk, Krasnaya Sormova, United Admiralty
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 2,325/3,076
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 243.7/74.3 Beam: 32.8/10 Draft: 21.6/6.6
Armament: Six 533mm torpedo tubes with 18 weapons
Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with one 6-bladed screw; 5,900 SHP
Speed (knots): 17 (submerged)
Number in class: 20+
Users: Russia, Poland, Algeria, Romania, India, Iran
Comments: Currently the only diesel-electric submarine known to be in production in Russia. The Kilo is a medium-sized, inexpensive SSK with excellent quieting and weapons, although the lack of a towed array limits it in the area of sensors. Something of a best-seller, the Kilo has become an important source of hard currency for the struggling Russian sub builders, though newer, more advanced Western designs may intrude on sales.
Class name: Tango (Project 641B)
Producer (country/manufacturer): Russia/Krasnaya Sormova
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 3,100/3,900
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 300.1/91.5 Beam: 29.5/9 Draft: 23/7
Armament: Ten 533mm torpedo tubes with 24 weapons
Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with three 5-bladed screws; 6,000 SHP
Speed (knots): 20 (submerged)Number in class: 18
Users: Russia
Comments: One of the last big classes of diesel boat to be constructed by the Soviet Union, the Tangos were originally designed to be open ocean SSKs with the primary missions of attacking aircraft carriers and interdicting merchant ships. Extremely quiet and capable, they have excellent range and weapons. A number of the Tangos will continue to serve until the turn of the century.
Class name: Fourth-generation SS (Kilo follow-on) (Project:?)
Producer (country/manufacturer): Russia/Severodvinsk
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): [?] 2,500-3,000 (submerged)
Dimensions (ft/m): (unknown)
Armament: six 533mm torpedo tubes with about 20 weapons
Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with one 7-bladed screw; probable AIP system;? SHP
Speed (knots): [?] 25–30 (submerged)
Number in class:?
Users: Russia and?
Comments: If Russia chooses to keep building conventionally powered submarines, they will probably base the next design on a prototype boat known as Beluga that has been undergoing testing in the Black Sea. The new design SS may utilize a novel Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system to extend slow-speed submerged endurance, which reduces the time the submarine would have to spend snorkeling. In addition, with a hull form based on the Alfa-class SSNs the fourth-generation SS may be capable of high SSN-like speeds for short periods.
People's Republic of China
While the Russians ran headlong into the business of building nuclear submarines, the People's Republic of China (PRC) took a slow, steady pace. Their first SSN, the Han class, is a simple boat with very little of the high technology that would be considered standard on an American or British boat. From the Hans have come the Xia class, the PRC's first SSBN. It appears that both the Han and the Xia have finished their production runs. With only six first-generation units, the Chinese appear to have mixed feelings about the success of the Han and Xia. Nevertheless, it is likely that within the foreseeable future, the Chinese will begin production of the Han and Xia follow-ons.
Class name: Han
Producer (country/manufacturer): PRC/Huludao
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 4,500 (submerged)
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 295.2/90 Beam: 32.8/10 Draft:?
Armament: Six 533mm torpedo tubes
Machinery: One PWR with turboelectric drive; one-bladed screw; 15,000 SHP
Speed (knots): 30 (submerged)
Number in class: 5
Users: PRC
Comments: This is the first class of SSN produced by the PRC, and it shows. Rather noisy and limited in its weapons load and sensors, it is still relatively fast and better than nothing. Roughly equal to a Skipjack or Victor I in performance.
Class name: Xia
Producer (country/manufacturer): PRC/Huludao
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 7,000 (submerged)
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 393.6/120 Beam: 32.8/10 Draft:?
Armament: Twelve CSS-N-3 SLBMs; six 533mm torpedo tubes
Machinery: One PWR with turboelectric drive; one-bladed screw; 15,000 SHP
Speed (knots): 20 (submerged)
Number in class: 1
Users: PRC
Comments: The first class of SSBNs built by the PRC, the Xias are roughly similar to the Soviet Yankee II-class boat in performance and weapons loadout. A derivative of the Han class (the hull and reactor are virtually identical), the Xias give the PRC leadership a minor and somewhat credible FBM capability in their part of the world.
France
The French are somewhat unusual because they chose to develop nuclear submarines to carry ballistic missiles (SSBNs) before they developed nuclear attack submarines (SSNs). This was due to the desire of General Charles de Gaulle in the 1960s to have a nuclear deterrent independent of NATO. Consequently, they developed a force of four SSBNs, the Le Redoubtable class, first, and only recently developed a force of SSNs. Currently they are finishing the construction of the Amethyst-class SSNs, as well as working on a new class of SSBNs, the four units of the Le Triomphant class. In addition, the French maintain a small force of diesel-electric submarines, though the number of these will surely decrease. As for the future, the French plans are not clear beyond the attempts of commercial yards to market conventional versions of the Amethyst-class boats.
Class name: Amethyst
Producer (country/manufacturer): France/DCAN, Cherbourg
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 2,400/2,660
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 241.4/73.6 Beam: 24.9/7.6 Draft: 21/6.4
Armament: Four 533mm torpedo tubes with 14 weapons
Machinery: One PWR with turboelectric drive; one 7-bladed screw; 9,500 SHP
Speed (knots): 28 (submerged)
Number in class: 1 + 2
Users: FranceComments: Basically an improved Rubis with a rounded bow, these boats are superior in both radiated noise and sensors. Currently there are no plans by the French Navy for a larger SSN force, and these will be the last ones built in the foreseeable future.