Aha Dua Permata: Russia's new nuclear submarine test launches Bulava intercontinental missile

Sunday 5 November 2023

Russia's new nuclear submarine test launches Bulava intercontinental missile

Russia's new nuclear-powered submarine Imperator Alexander III carried out a successful test launch of the Bulava ballistic missile, designed to carry nuclear warheads, the Russian defence ministry said on Sunday.

"Firing a ballistic missile is the final element of state tests, after which a decision will be made to accept the cruiser into the Navy," the defence ministry said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.

President Vladimir Putin has been pushing for Russia to maintain its nuclear deterrent to counter what he calls growing security threats, as ties between Moscow and the West have hit new lows over the war Russia launched in Ukraine in 2022.

The intercontinental missile, launched from an underwater position in the White Sea off Russia's northern coast, hit a target thousands of kilometres away on the Kamchatka peninsula in the Russian Far East, it said.

The ministry did not say when the test occurred.

The Borei class strategic-missile cruiser is equipped with 16 Bulava missiles and modern torpedo weapons, it said.

Putin took part in a ceremony in December setting the Imperator Alexander III afloat, TASS state news agency said.

The navy has three nuclear-powered submarines of the Borei class in service - one is completing tests and three more are under construction, the defence ministry said.

The 12-metre (40-foot) long Bulava missile, which has an estimated range of around 8,000 km (5,000 miles) and can carry up to six nuclear warheads, has become the cornerstone in the naval part of Russia's nuclear triad.

In a statement in the early hours of Sunday, the ministry said that the submarine ‘Emperor Alexander III’ had “successfully launched the Bulava sea-based intercontinental ballistic missile from the White Sea to the Kura test range on the Kamchatka Peninsula.” It added that the missile was fired underwater and that its warheads reached the target on time.

Russian military officials also noted that the test concluded the vessel’s sea trials, the results of which will determine whether the ‘Emperor Alexander III’ officially joins the Russian Navy. Built as part of Project 955 Borei, it was laid down in late 2015 and launched in 2022. The fleet currently has three active boats of this class, with three more under construction.

The ministry also released a video capturing the moment of the missile launch, with a large roaring fireball bursting into the night sky.

The ship bears the name of the Russian emperor, who ruled the country in the late 19th century. Known for his conservative policies, Alexander III was nicknamed ‘The Peacemaker’ because Russia fought no major wars during his reign.

Alexander III is also credited with the phrase “Russia has only two allies – its Army and its Navy.”

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the submarine can carry both advanced torpedoes and 16 Bulava ballistic missiles. The latter weapon, which entered service in 2018, can carry nuclear warheads and has been described as the future cornerstone of the country’s nuclear triad.