Monsters of the deep sea are no match for human creations. There are submarines several times larger than blue whales, the recognized giants of the planet. They can stay underwater for up to six months, dive to unimaginable depths, and travel unnoticed through seas and oceans — meet the TOP 10 largest submarines in the world.
1 Project 941 “Akula” – 48,000 tons
The “Akula” class submarine (“Typhoon” in NATO classification) is 173 meters long with a full displacement of 48,000 tons. This submarine is called the “Hilton” among submarines. The crew has access to rest rooms, a gym, a swimming pool, a solarium, and a sauna. All of this is to ensure comfort, as the “Akula” can stay submerged for up to 180 days. A total of 6 such submarines were built.
2 Project 955(A) “Borey” – 24,000 tons
With a displacement of 24,000 tons and a length of 170 meters, the “Borey” class submarines can remain autonomously underwater for up to 90 days. This is a new class of submarines, produced for the Russian Navy since 2013. There are currently three of these submarines in service.
3 Ohio Class – 18,750 tons
The “Ohio” class submarines were produced from 1976 to 1997—they are contemporaries of the “Akula.” This type of submarine surpasses the Russian Project 941 in range and number of missiles but falls short in displacement, almost three times less, at 18,750 tons with a length of 171 meters. Currently, 18 such submarines are in operation.
4 Project 667BDRM “Delfin” – 18,200 tons
The “Delfin” class submarines slightly fall short of the “Ohio” class with a displacement of 18,200 tons and a length of 167.4 meters. A total of 7 of these submarines were built, but only 5 are currently in service. Notably, artificial satellites of the Earth were launched from submarines of this project.
5 Vanguard Class – 15,900 tons
Four “Vanguard” class submarines of the British Navy were built between 1986 and 1999, and all are still in service. At 150 meters long, they carry 16 “Trident II” cruise missiles. The UK has four of these submarines in service, but there have been talks of converting one of them for peaceful purposes.
6 Triomphant Class – 14,335 tons
The hull length of the four French strategic nuclear submarines of the “Triomphant” class is 138 meters. They can dive to a depth of 400 meters (the “Ohio” class, for example, can dive to 550 meters) and carry 16 ballistic missiles. The crew consists of 121 people.
7 Project 885 “Yasen” – 13,800 tons
Currently, the Russian Navy has only one “Yasen” class submarine, but there are plans to build seven such submarines. This is a multipurpose nuclear submarine, designed for stealth operation. It is equipped with both torpedoes and missiles. The length of the submarine is 120 meters.
8 Project 971 “Shchuka-B” – 12,770 tons
These are among the fastest submarines in the world. While the massive monsters leading our list can travel underwater at no more than 25 knots (about 65 km/h), the “Shchuka-B” (NATO classification – “Akula”) can reach 33 knots. Moreover, its maximum diving depth is 600 meters, and it can operate autonomously for 100 days. A total of 15 of these submarines were built.
9 Project 945A “Kondor” – 10,400 tons
Another nuclear submarine project developed in the USSR, representatives of which are successfully serving in the Russian Navy. With a length of 110.5 meters, this submarine can also dive to 600 meters but moves even faster, reaching 35 knots underwater. There are 2 submarines of this project in service, launched in 1989 and 1992.
10 Seawolf Class – 9,130 tons
The American “Seawolf” submarine was designed in response to the Soviet “Shchuka-B.” It is primarily armed with torpedoes but can launch up to 50 “Tomahawk” missiles from its torpedo tubes. The length of the submarine is 107.6 meters, and it can travel at speeds of up to 35 knots, or up to 25 knots silently.
