Since this article“Soumarsov” short for “Sous-marins soviétiques” (Soviet Submarines) has steered me in the direction of more accurate information on Russian submarines. The website Soumarsov.eu is in French with lots of Russian. But these no longer present language barriers, due to:
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For further background and diagrams (like the Borey above) see Soumarsov’s https://www.soumarsov.eu/Sous-marins/Post92/955/955.htm
PETE COMMENT
One thought is that the US and Russia may see zero sum game threats (meaning "one person's gain is anothers loss") from North Korea (NK) and China building more nuclear warheads. Say 1,000 for China?
It is possible then the rising NK and Chinese capabilities would cause:
- the US to fit or retrofit 10m to 20m plugs (for 4 to 8 more SLBMs respectively) on to its new 16
SLBM future Columbia class SSBNs
- Russia might then retrofit 10m or 20m plugs onto its Boreys for the same purpose.
I think, instead the US would build additional Columbia and Russia additional Boreys all retaining 16 SLBMs. To fit or retrofit 10m or 20m plugs would mean many major adjustments would need to be made to the subs to maintain acceptable Columbia/Borey handling, steering and above all stealth.
Soumarsov and Pete
- on-site “Translate” popups, or
- once in the site right-click mouse to Translate, and/or
- by playing around in the Google Translate box/fields.
An issue that I know keeps submarine aficionados up at night is whether Russia will go to the trouble of fitting its 5 later model Borey 955A SSBNs, not with 16 SLBMs, but with 20. A myth persists on English language websites that from the 4thBorey/Borei (Project 955) SSBN onwards 20 SLBM silos will be fitted.
Russian Wikipedia, on Russian Subs, Better Than English
See English Wikipedia:
“Starting from the fourth hull, all submarines of the Borei class will have 20 missile tubes each, versus 16 for the first three boats.”
But see Russian Wikipedia, which provides a more accurate description of Project 955 Borey Submarines. Once in the Russian site wait 10 seconds for any "Translate" popup or right-click mouse to Translate. Note in the right sidebar “Armament” is:
“16 missiles of the D-30 complex [6] , SL -30 SS-NX-30 Bulava Number of missiles: 16 (project 955), 16 (project 955A) [7]”
So 20 Bulava SLBMs is old news, perhaps encouraged by the glory days of 20 SLBM Typhoons(confusingly called "Akulas" in Russian).
A little More Primary Sources
Returning to Boreys the 16 SLBM original intention stretches back to 2010 (see last paragraph).
Since 2013 Russian military-industrial specialists have made is clear that the current 16 SLBM silos will be retained for all Boreys. See:
February 2013’s https://ria.ru/defense_safety/20130220/923813018.htmlthen right-click mouse to “Translate to English” New "Borey-A" nuclear submarines will be armed with 16, not 20 "Bulavami" [Bulava SLBMs]... "The 955A project differs from the classic Borey [plain] (Project 955), but not in the number of missiles on board - there [will remain] 16. Accordingly, the displacement of the boat will remain the same," the representative of the military industrial complex said. [see much more on Borey-A improvements]
and
Also Russian, April 2013 https://www.newsru.com/russia/13apr2013/bulavaminus.html
“The [SSBNs] of the upgraded project 955A (Borey-A) will carry 16 Bulava [SLBMs] rather than 20, as previously planned, a source in the Russian defense industry told Interfax on Saturday. This will [permit later model Boreys to be built] faster and cheaper.
[which continues] “”"A few days ago at the state level, the final decision was made that all five [Borey 955As] will be armed with 16 ballistic missiles...”
...to add four missile silos, it is necessary to extend the hull of the [Boreys] by 10 meters, to make other structural alterations in them, which would make the [Boreys] heavier and bulky.
The decision on missile armament of the modernized "Boreys" was also taken in view of the trend in the construction of strategic submarines by the leading maritime powers. The development of new missile submarines does not focus on a large number of missile silos, but on ensuring combat stability and survival of boats in the course of combat patrolling.
"16 rockets are enough to launch a nuclear strike against “Borya” [which Pete takes to mean “You know who!" ie America] the most important thing is to covertly go into combat positions and launch missiles for designated purposes." What's the point if a boat with 20 rockets is discovered and destroyed by the enemy without having to launch."
PETE COMMENT
One thought is that the US and Russia may see zero sum game threats (meaning "one person's gain is anothers loss") from North Korea (NK) and China building more nuclear warheads. Say 1,000 for China?
It is possible then the rising NK and Chinese capabilities would cause:
- the US to fit or retrofit 10m to 20m plugs (for 4 to 8 more SLBMs respectively) on to its new 16
SLBM future Columbia class SSBNs
- Russia might then retrofit 10m or 20m plugs onto its Boreys for the same purpose.
I think, instead the US would build additional Columbia and Russia additional Boreys all retaining 16 SLBMs. To fit or retrofit 10m or 20m plugs would mean many major adjustments would need to be made to the subs to maintain acceptable Columbia/Borey handling, steering and above all stealth.
Soumarsov and Pete