שילוב טילים היפרסוניים בצוללות מרוסיה – הטכנולוגיה החדשה
The Russian Academy of Sciences recently announced the modernization of the Project 949A Antey (Oscar II) nuclear submarines. The Commander of the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet, Admiral Viktor Liina, stated that the Antey class submarines will undergo modernization with new missile systems, including the hypersonic Zircon missiles, as well as Kalibr and Oniks missiles.
According to Liina's statement, the modernization of the 949A Antey submarines aims to expand their capabilities by integrating hypersonic Zircon missiles in the future to meet a wider range of missions, similar to the currently equipped Yasen and Yasen-M nuclear submarines, with Kalibr and Oniks missiles.
The decision to modernize was first made in 2017. Initially, four of the Project 949A Antey submarines were planned to be modernized. In this process, the existing launchers on the Project 949A submarines, which were designed for the P-700 Granit missiles, will be replaced with universal launchers capable of carrying three types of missiles (Kalibr, Oniks, or Zircon). This modernization is expected to increase the number of missiles that Antey nuclear submarines can carry, with estimates ranging from 24 to 48 or 72, depending on the sources.
The modernization process is currently underway at the Zvezda Shipyard. In this context, repair and modernization work will begin with the nuclear submarine Irkutsk (K-132). Subsequently, it is planned to modernize the Project 949A Cheliabinsk (K-442) nuclear submarine and bring it up to the standards of Project 949AM.
Admiral Viktor Liina emphasized the potential of modernizing the Project 949A Antey submarines, stating that they will receive a new missile launching system, as well as updated radio equipment, communication systems, and service. This modernization is intended to position the Antey 949A submarines to carry out missions similar to the versatile capabilities of the Yasen and Yasen-M nuclear submarines.
The submarines, known to the Soviets as Project 949 Granit and Project 949A Antey, were initially developed as nuclear-powered missile submarines for the Soviet Navy.
