As tensions between Washington and Moscow reach Cold War-like levels, a new front in strategic military capability is drawing attention far beneath the surface of global oceans. Russian naval experts, through state-aligned outlets, have asserted that their next-generation Borei-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) now possess sonar detection systems that “vastly outperform” those fielded by the United States and its allies.
If these claims hold weight, the implications are profound—not just in terms of naval superiority, but in shaping the global balance of nuclear deterrence. The heart of the debate centers around the Borei-class sonar suite: the Irtysh-Amphora-B-055. Russian sources claim it enables detection of underwater threats at distances up to 1.5 times greater than what American SSBNs can achieve, a potentially game-changing capability in modern submarine warfare.
“The strategic nuclear-powered submarines of the Borei class are equipped with sonar systems capable of detecting underwater threats at distances 1.5 times greater than those of American nuclear submarines,” Russian experts told state news agency RIA-Novosti.
This declaration isn’t just a boast; it’s a strategic signal. The technological leap, if real, suggests Russia now holds the upper hand in the most invisible and unpredictable domain of warfare—beneath the sea.
Submarines are only as good as their stealth and their senses. While stealth allows them to evade, sonar is what allows them to see—and strike—first. The Irtysh-Amphora-B-055, reportedly outfitted across both the Project 955 and the improved Project 955A Borei submarines, is said to provide a comprehensive acoustic awareness envelope, extending the submarine’s detection range by nearly 100 kilometers beyond what U.S. systems can manage.
More importantly, Russian sources claim it can simultaneously track up to 30 undersea threats, from enemy submarines to torpedoes and naval mines—an impressive feat in increasingly cluttered maritime zones. The multi-array configuration includes a spherical bow array, flank-mounted sensors, and a towed passive array, all processed through advanced digital signal processing hardware. Together, they give the submarine a full-spectrum acoustic capability across a variety of conditions, including challenging under-ice environments.
This isn’t just about better ears—it’s about a tactical edge that could mean the difference between life and death in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) engagements. If a Borei-class submarine can detect an enemy Virginia-class or Astute-class sub first, it holds the initiative—whether to strike or avoid.
Russia’s push for acoustic dominance is not limited to deep oceans. The Borei-class sonar suite plays a critical role in Arctic operations, where the strategic importance of ice-covered waters is rapidly growing. The Irtysh-Amphora-B-055 can reportedly detect ice thickness and identify polynyas—ice-free zones in the polar region. These pockets are vital for submarine surfacing and even missile launches.
This Arctic capability underscores a broader Russian doctrine shift: building dominance in the High North. As the ice melts and the Northern Sea Route becomes more viable, control of Arctic waters and undersea lanes becomes not just about navigation, but power projection. The Borei-class, armed and invisible, gives Moscow a potent Arctic trump card—one that NATO navies struggle to match beneath the thick, radar-proof ice.
Sonar superiority is one half of the coin. The other is payload. Each Borei-class submarine carries up to 16 RSM-56 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles, each with a range of 8,000–8,800 kilometers and capable of carrying 6 to 10 MIRVs (Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicles). These MIRVs allow a single missile to hit numerous targets across continents in one strike.
What this means in practical terms is chilling: a single Borei-class submarine, operating undetected under ice or in deep oceans, could unleash a barrage that devastates dozens of North American or European cities in minutes. With six Borei-class boats currently in operation—three from Project 955 and three more advanced 955A variants—the destructive capacity of Russia’s second-strike deterrent is formidable.
And that’s precisely the point. In strategic theory, survivability equals credibility. Even if land-based silos and airfields are neutralized in a first strike, a submerged, undetectable Borei can retaliate with enough firepower to ensure mutual destruction. It is the very essence of Cold War nuclear doctrine—retooled for a new era.
Historically, Russian submarines lagged behind Western counterparts in acoustic stealth. Older Soviet models like the Delta or Typhoon classes were large, noisy, and relatively easy to track. The Borei-class represents a dramatic shift. Designed with stealth in mind, these submarines feature a hydrodynamic hull, pump-jet propulsion (a first for Russian SSBNs), and rubber anechoic coatings to absorb sonar pings.
Western analysts cautiously agree that the Borei-class has closed much of the noise gap. Some even suggest it approaches or rivals the quietness of America’s Virginia-class submarines—a claim that would have been unthinkable just two decades ago. Combined with its superior sonar, this acoustic balance means Borei-class subs can both hide and hunt with enhanced confidence.
In the cat-and-mouse world of submarine warfare, quietness is survival. For NATO navies, this presents a serious challenge. Traditional methods of detection and tracking may no longer be sufficient, particularly in deep or Arctic waters where sonar performance is already degraded.
Russia currently operates six Borei-class SSBNs:
- Project 955
- Yuriy Dolgorukiy
- Alexander Nevsky
- Vladimir Monomakh
- Project 955A (Improved)
- Knyaz Vladimir
- Knyaz Oleg
- Generalissimus Suvorov
The 955A variant features upgrades in acoustic performance, command-and-control systems, hull shaping, and reactor efficiency. All are capable of carrying the full complement of Bulava missiles. Each boat measures approximately 170 meters long and displaces up to 24,000 tonnes submerged. They support a crew of around 107 personnel and are designed for long-duration patrols in distant waters.
This modern fleet replaces aging Soviet-era SSBNs and is a pillar of Russia’s broader nuclear modernization program, which includes new land-based ICBMs and strategic bombers. Under President Vladimir Putin, this modernization has been a priority, both as a military imperative and as a geopolitical signal of continued Russian great-power status.
From the perspective of NATO naval planners, the growing capabilities of the Borei-class submarines pose a vexing problem. Their combination of stealth, mobility, sonar acuity, and nuclear payload make them difficult to track and nearly impossible to neutralize before launch.
The potential sonar edge is particularly concerning. In traditional ASW scenarios, U.S. and British attack submarines attempt to shadow enemy SSBNs, maintaining a trail in case hostilities escalate. But if Russian Boreis can detect their shadows first, this tactic is rendered obsolete. Worse, if the trailing sub is detected and counter-hunted, the hunter could quickly become the hunted.
And the stakes are not abstract. In an era of renewed great-power rivalry, particularly with flashpoints like Ukraine, the Baltics, or the High North, the ability to project undetectable, retaliatory force could embolden Kremlin decision-making. The psychological edge of knowing that a nuclear-armed submarine is lurking somewhere offshore, unseen and untouchable, adds weight to Russian diplomatic and military posturing.
While some Western defense officials remain skeptical of Russia’s sonar superiority claims—citing the lack of independent verification—the risk of underestimating Moscow’s submarine force is real. The United States is now investing heavily in its own next-generation SSBN, the Columbia-class, which aims to replace the aging Ohio-class fleet by the 2030s.
But until then, a technological gap may exist. And in warfare, even a temporary edge can translate into lasting strategic gains.
Meanwhile, Russia is not resting. Further Borei-class submarines are in production, with up to 10 expected in total. Enhancements to sonar, stealth, and weaponry are likely ongoing. Moscow’s message is clear: its submarine fleet is no longer a legacy of Soviet might, but a reinvigorated tool of 21st-century power projection.
In the opaque world of submarine warfare, truth is often elusive. Disinformation, exaggeration, and secrecy are par for the course. Still, the claims surrounding Russia’s Borei-class submarines and their sonar systems are being taken seriously because they align with broader patterns: consistent investment, iterative improvement, and doctrinal emphasis on undersea nuclear deterrence.
If the Irtysh-Amphora-B-055 truly outclasses its Western counterparts, it marks a pivotal shift in strategic deterrence. For NATO, this would require new ASW strategies, faster procurement of advanced submarines, and more investment in under-ice warfare. For Russia, it is a validation of decades of work—and a powerful reminder that beneath the calm surface of our oceans, a silent contest for global balance is playing out, sonar ping by sonar ping.
