Russia has test-fired a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile from a submerged nuclear-powered submarine in the Sea of Okhotsk, with the missile headed toward a designated test range in Russia's Arkhangelsk region, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The launch took place on October 28 as part of a scheduled combat training exercise. The submarine, Generalissimo Suvorov, belongs to Russia's Pacific Fleet and carries weapons designed for the country's sea-based nuclear deterrent.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the crew launched the Bulava missile toward the Chizha test range in the Arkhangelsk region, and did not disclose the missile's flight time or provide detailed results from the test. The Bulava has an estimated range of 5,160 miles and a reported launch weight of 36.8 metric tons.
The Generalissimo Suvorov, also known as K-553, belongs to the Project 955A Borei-A class. It measures around 558 feet long and displaces approximately 14,720 metric tons on the surface, rising to about 24,000 metric tons submerged, and carries 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles. Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering in St. Petersburg designed the submarine; construction began at the Sevmash shipyard on December 26, 2014, and the Russian Navy commissioned the vessel in 2022.
The submarine initially served with Russia's Northern Fleet, then transferred to the Pacific Fleet in October 2023 and arrived at its permanent base in Kamchatka. According to the Russian report, Borei and Borei-A class submarines carry 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles, and nuclear propulsion allows them to remain at sea for extended periods.
The latest test confirms that the Generalissimo Suvorov continues to participate in Russia's combat training program, but the ministry released few details about the missile's performance or the exercise's specific objectives. The launch also provides no indication of changes to the Bulava's capabilities, according to the report.