Russia has unveiled the latest addition to its nuclear-powered submarine fleet—the Perm, a Yasen-M class attack submarine armed with the cutting-edge Tsirkon hypersonic missile system. This launch marks a critical shift in global naval dynamics, solidifying Russia’s ability to project power across contested waters from the Arctic to the Pacific.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, addressing the commissioning ceremony via video link from Murmansk, delivered a statement that underscored the vessel’s strategic significance. “I hereby authorize,” he declared, officially inducting Perm into Russia’s growing fleet of next-generation undersea assets.
Named after the historic industrial city of Perm in the Ural Mountains, a key hub in Russia’s defense sector, the submarine represents a technological leap in stealth, firepower, and endurance. The Perm is the first nuclear-powered submarine to integrate the 3M22 Tsirkon hypersonic missile as a standard weapon—an advancement that threatens to reshape undersea warfare and naval deterrence strategies worldwide.
At the heart of Perm’s military significance is its primary strike weapon—the Tsirkon missile, a revolutionary hypersonic glide weapon capable of speeds up to Mach 9 (over 11,000 km/h). With a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers, it is designed to obliterate high-value naval and land-based targets with pinpoint precision.
The Tsirkon’s combination of unpredictable flight paths, extreme speed, and high maneuverability makes it nearly impervious to current missile defense systems, including the U.S. Navy’s Aegis and THAAD platforms. Additionally, the missile is dual-capable, meaning it can be equipped with either a conventional or nuclear warhead—adding a layer of strategic uncertainty to Russia’s military posture.
The missile’s introduction into an attack submarine like Perm signifies a profound shift in undersea strike capability. Unlike traditional submarine-launched cruise missiles, which travel at subsonic speeds, the Tsirkon reduces enemy reaction time to mere seconds—a nightmare scenario for naval commanders tasked with defending against it.
Perm is part of the Yasen-M class (Project 885M), a lineage of highly advanced nuclear-powered attack submarines designed to compete directly with the U.S. Navy’s Virginia-class submarines. While both classes emphasize stealth and multi-role flexibility, the Yasen-M series carries a greater cruise missile payload, positioning it as a more formidable strike platform.
Laid down on July 29, 2016, at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, Perm is expected to enter full operational service with the Northern Fleet in 2026. This fleet plays a pivotal role in Russia’s Arctic military strategy, securing critical sea lanes and deterring NATO forces in the region.
During his visit to Murmansk, President Putin also toured the Arkhangelsk, another Yasen-M class submarine, and inspected Atomflot, Russia’s nuclear icebreaker enterprise. The visits underscore Moscow’s ambitions to dominate Arctic waters, where melting ice caps are opening new naval routes and fueling geopolitical competition.
Sevmash, Russia’s premier nuclear submarine manufacturer, has already delivered four Yasen-M class submarines:
- Kazan (2021)
- Novosibirsk (2021)
- Krasnoyarsk (2023)
- Arkhangelsk (2024)
Several more, including Ulyanovsk, Voronezh, Vladivostok, and Bratsk, are in various stages of construction, reflecting Moscow’s long-term commitment to undersea superiority.
Stretching over 130 meters in length and displacing 13,800 tonnes submerged, Perm is an imposing vessel built for both survivability and offensive dominance. It features stealth enhancements, making it significantly quieter than previous Russian attack submarines, a crucial factor in undersea warfare where acoustic detection can mean the difference between survival and destruction.
The submarine’s operational depth exceeds 500 meters, and it can cruise at speeds over 30 knots (55 km/h) submerged. Its next-generation nuclear reactor allows it to stay submerged for months at a time, providing persistent presence in strategic waters without needing to surface for refueling.
Tsirkon missile, Perm’s arsenal:
- Kalibr cruise missiles – battle-proven, long-range weapons used extensively in conflicts such as Syria and Ukraine.
- Oniks supersonic anti-ship missiles – designed for rapid strikes against enemy naval groups.
- Heavyweight torpedoes – capable of engaging enemy submarines and surface ships.
- Electronic warfare suites – enhancing survivability by countering advanced enemy detection and tracking systems.
These capabilities make Perm one of the deadliest submarines in the world, offering a mix of stealth, speed, and unparalleled firepower.
The unveiling of Perm comes at a time of escalating naval competition between Russia, NATO, and other global powers. The Arctic, once a frozen frontier, has transformed into a highly contested theater as countries race to secure shipping lanes and untapped energy resources.
Western analysts view the Tsirkon-armed submarines as a game-changer that could severely limit NATO’s ability to defend against Russian naval aggression. Traditional air and missile defense systems are designed to counter slower-moving threats, leaving hypersonic weapons like Tsirkon largely unstoppable with existing technology.
In response, the U.S. and its allies are expanding their undersea warfare programs, increasing anti-submarine patrols and investing in next-generation defense systems. However, many experts argue that closing the technological gap on hypersonic missile defense will take years—if not decades.
Moscow’s deployment of Perm also highlights its growing partnership with China in Arctic and naval cooperation. Both nations have ramped up joint exercises in the region, challenging Western dominance and asserting their interests in emerging sea routes.
The launch of Perm signals Russia’s unwavering commitment to naval expansion, despite mounting economic sanctions and the strain of ongoing conflicts. As global powers enter a new era of naval arms competition, submarines like Perm will play a defining role in deterrence, warfare, and power projection.
With its silent propulsion, hypersonic strike capability, and extended endurance, Perm is not just another submarine—it is a strategic weapon designed to rewrite the rules of maritime warfare.
As NATO and other world powers scramble to counter this emerging threat, one thing remains clear: the battle for naval supremacy is far from over—and it is now being fought at nine times the speed of sound.
