As tensions between Moscow and Washington deepen, Russian naval experts have made a bold claim that could alter the strategic balance in the undersea domain. According to Russian defense analysts, the sonar capabilities of their latest Borei-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) significantly outperform those of the United States’ most advanced submarines.
In a rare public statement, Russian specialists asserted that the sonar systems onboard the Borei-class SSBNs are nearly “twice as effective” as those installed on American and NATO nuclear submarines.
“Strategic nuclear submarines of the Borei class have a sonar system capable of detecting underwater threats more than 1.5 times farther than what is possessed by nuclear-powered submarines of the United States,” Russian experts told the state-run news agency, RIA-Novosti.
If proven accurate, this alleged acoustic superiority could tilt the balance of power beneath the waves in Russia’s favor, especially in contested regions such as the Arctic, the North Atlantic, and the North Pacific. These areas serve as crucial theaters for naval supremacy, where the ability to detect and evade enemy submarines is central to strategic deterrence.
The sonar system in question, known as the “Irtysh-Amphora-B-055,” is reportedly the most advanced ever fielded by the Russian Navy. Russian sources claim that it can detect targets up to 100 kilometers farther than its American counterparts, potentially offering a decisive advantage in underwater tracking and evasion.
Beyond its extended range, the sonar system is also said to possess powerful multi-target tracking capabilities, allegedly allowing it to detect and monitor up to 30 underwater threats simultaneously. This feature could give Russian submarines an upper hand in complex naval engagements, where multiple enemy assets—attack submarines, surface ships, and unmanned underwater vehicles—operate in coordination.
At the heart of this sonar complex lies the Amphora hydroacoustic array, supported by advanced digital signal processors. The system integrates:
- A bow-mounted spherical array for long-range detection.
- Flank-mounted side antennas for enhanced lateral scanning.
- A towed array sonar for passive listening at extended ranges.
Together, these components provide a comprehensive underwater picture, helping Borei-class submarines detect threats before being detected themselves.
Strategic Implications in the Arctic and Beyond
One of the most significant aspects of the Irtysh-Amphora sonar system is its relevance to Arctic operations. Russia views the Arctic as a strategic bastion for its second-strike nuclear capability, and Borei-class submarines play a pivotal role in this doctrine.
The sonar system is reportedly capable of measuring ice thickness and detecting polynyas—open water pockets in sea ice that are essential for surfacing and launching nuclear missiles in polar conditions. This capability ensures that Russian submarines can operate effectively under the Arctic ice, where U.S. and NATO forces also maintain a strong presence.
If the Borei-class sonar truly outperforms its American counterparts, it could complicate NATO’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) efforts, particularly in the Arctic and North Atlantic. The ability of Russian submarines to detect and evade Western attack submarines before being detected themselves would undermine NATO’s undersea dominance.
Undersea warfare is evolving into a high-stakes competition where technological superiority can determine strategic advantage. In this era of multi-domain warfare, undersea dominance is as vital as air or space superiority.
If the Russian claims hold, Borei-class submarines could secure a first-move or first-hide advantage—critical in the context of nuclear deterrence. Remaining undetected ensures that these submarines maintain a credible second-strike retaliatory capability, a cornerstone of Russia’s military doctrine.
While Western naval experts remain skeptical, the Kremlin’s statements serve a dual purpose:
- Signaling confidence in its naval modernization efforts.
- Challenging NATO’s perception of its undersea warfare supremacy.
Given that sonar technology is one of the most closely guarded secrets in submarine warfare, independent verification of these claims remains difficult. However, if Russia’s newest sonar truly outmatches U.S. technology, Washington and its allies may need to accelerate their own naval modernization efforts to maintain undersea parity.
The Borei-class submarines represent the future of Russia’s strategic submarine force. As of 2025, the Russian Navy operates six of these submarines across the Project 955 and Project 955A classes. These include:
- Project 955: Yuriy Dolgorukiy, Alexander Nevsky, Vladimir Monomakh
- Project 955A: Knyaz Vladimir, Knyaz Oleg, Generalissimus Suvorov
These submarines form the backbone of Russia’s naval nuclear triad, each designed to deliver devastating nuclear payloads from beneath the waves.
Take, for instance, the Borei-class submarine Vladimir Monomakh, which can deploy up to 16 RSM-56 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). These missiles boast a range of 8,000 to 8,800 kilometers, enabling them to strike strategic targets across continents.
Each Bulava missile is equipped with between six to ten independently targetable nuclear warheads (MIRVs), giving a single Borei-class submarine the ability to launch precision nuclear strikes on multiple targets simultaneously. This ensures a credible second-strike capability in any potential conflict with NATO or other nuclear-armed adversaries.
Unmatched Stealth and Firepower
Measuring 170 meters in length and displacing approximately 24,000 tons when submerged, Borei-class submarines are among the quietest and deadliest nuclear-powered SSBNs ever developed by Russia.
With a crew of roughly 107 personnel, these submarines rely heavily on automation, enhancing their combat effectiveness while reducing manpower requirements.
Their stealth is attributed to:
- Pump-jet propulsion systems, reducing noise emissions.
- A hydrodynamically optimized hull, minimizing water resistance.
- A nuclear reactor with advanced noise-dampening features, making them harder to detect.
Western intelligence agencies have long monitored Russia’s submarine advancements, but if the Borei-class sonar claims are legitimate, it could represent a serious challenge to NATO’s undersea dominance.
In an age where the undersea domain is emerging as a critical battleground in great power competition, Russia’s latest claims regarding sonar superiority underscore the intensifying technological arms race unfolding beneath the ocean’s surface.
While Western military analysts remain cautious about taking Moscow’s assertions at face value, even the possibility that Borei-class submarines hold a decisive sonar advantage over U.S. and NATO forces raises concerns in Washington.
If these advancements translate into real-world effectiveness, the geopolitical implications could be profound. Russia’s undersea deterrent would become more survivable, while NATO’s ability to track and neutralize Russian SSBNs could be severely compromised.
With the United States and its allies investing heavily in next-generation submarine technology—including the Columbia-class SSBN and the SSN(X) attack submarine—the race for undersea superiority is far from over.
What is clear, however, is that Russia’s Borei-class submarines are not just symbols of nuclear power but sophisticated, stealthy, and potentially game-changing platforms in the ongoing struggle for maritime dominance.
Whether these sonar claims prove to be fact or fiction, they send an unmistakable message: The silent war beneath the ocean’s surface is heating up, and the stakes have never been higher.
