Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the launch ceremony of the country’s new nuclear-powered submarine which is equipped with the hypersonic cruise missile – Zircon (Tsirkon in Russian).
The nuclear-powered submarine Perm is the fifth stealth attack vessel in the Yasen-M class under Project 885M. Yasen and Yasen-M class vessels are the fourth generation multipurpose nuclear submarines in the Russian Navy. It is the sixth vessel if Yasen and Yasen-M crafts are counted together.
During the launch event, Putin said that the Perm nuclear-powered submarine is scheduled “to enter service with the Russian Navy and to start performing its combat tasks next year.”
As per a report by Russian news agency TASS, Putin also confirmed that Perm has become the first multipurpose submarine to carry Zircon hypersonic missiles.
“Yasen-M-class submarines are equipped with modern navigation, communication and hydroacoustic systems. They carry high-precision weapons and are fitted with robotic equipment,” he said.
He also stated the new vessel will enhance the security of the country’s maritime borders and protect its interest in Arctic region, among other areas.
Meanwhile, the Russian President also visited the Arkhangelsk nuclear-powered submarine of the Yasen-M class. The submarine had entered service with the Russian Navy in December 2024.
More about Perm and Yasen-M class vessels
Perm has been named after a city which is located on the banks of the Kama river near the Ural mountains.
The reports from Russia state that the construction of the Perm nuclear-powered submarine was carried on different specifications from other vessels of the Yasen-M class. More details about the differences are yet to be revealed by Rosatom.
The Project 885 and Project 885M nuclear submarines are being built with the intention to replace the earlier Oscar-class and Akula-class vessels, which had been built in the 1980s.
The lead vessel of the project, the Severodvinsk, entered service in 2014. Starting with the second boat in the series, the submarines were built according to the modernized Yasen-M project.
Earlier in December 2024, the Russian Navy took control of the Arkhangelsk nuclear-powered submarine at the Sevmash shipyard on the White Sea.
The Arkhangelsk was reported to have a length of 426 feet (130 meters), hull diameter of 42.6 feet (13 meters). The nuclear submarine has a maximum rated depth of 2159 feet (658 meters), and sail submerged at a top speed of 35 knots (40 miles per hour).
It remains to be seen if the Perm will have the same specifications as the Arkhangelsk or if it will differ in terms of size, speed, and more.
Hypersonic missiles on nuclear submarine
Perm has become the first nuclear-powered submarine to carry the Zircon hypersonic missiles as a standard.
The Zircon, capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 9, poses a significant challenge to existing missile defense systems due to its speed and unpredictability.
In 2024, Russia had released a video showcasing the missile’s launch from a Russian combat ship, marking a significant step in the global arms race.
The Zircon is capable of reaching hypersonic speeds of Mach 9 (around 6,835 mph). This extreme speed allows the missile to cover vast distances in minutes, giving adversaries little time to respond.
The missile has a range of up to 621 miles, depending on its trajectory. When flying at low altitudes, it covers approximately 311 miles, but using a semi-ballistic trajectory increases its range.
It combines a solid-fuel booster for initial acceleration and a scramjet engine for sustained hypersonic flight.