Documents
Russia Rubin Design Bureau
Akula-class (Project 971)
A Cold War-era nuclear-powered attack submarine that closed the acoustic-quietness gap with Western designs, remaining a mainstay of the Russian Navy's torpedo-armed attack submarine force through ongoing modernization.
In service since 1984 · 1 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
480
m depth
33
kn
8,140
t
73
crew
Pricing: No public modern unit cost
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Russian state channel
Rosoboronexport monopoly; Western sanctions exposure and payment/logistics risk for many buyers.
Channel: Rosoboronexport (state)
Fielded & proven
Limited · 1 operator
In service since 1984. Status: active · ~15 built.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Compatible munitions & weapons
Publicly reported weapons the Akula-class (Project 971) can carry. Linked items have a full spec page.
Full specifications
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Torpedo tubes Number of torpedo tubes (submarines and some surface ships). | 8 |
|---|
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 110.3 m |
|---|
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability. | 15 |
|---|---|
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 1 |
Specifications compiled from public Rubin Design Bureau and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij (RDM) Walrus class 
Naval Group Suffren class Frequently asked questions
What is the Rubin Design Bureau Akula-class (Project 971) used for? +
The Rubin Design Bureau Akula-class (Project 971) is a submarine typically used for anti armor.
How many countries operate the Rubin Design Bureau Akula-class (Project 971)? +
The Rubin Design Bureau Akula-class (Project 971) is operated by 1 countries.
How much does the Rubin Design Bureau Akula-class (Project 971) cost? +
Rubin Design Bureau Akula-class (Project 971): No public modern unit cost. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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