New missile-armed ships for the Russian Navy
The Perm submarine being launched from its slipway, March 2025. Photo by USC.
Strike capabilities of the navy fleet Russia is defined, first of all, by the presence of a wide range of products missile weapons of various classes and types. In addition, a large number of surface and submarine ships with missile armament are in service. The development of this component of the Navy continues, and new interesting results are expected in the near future. In the coming months, the potential of the missile-carrying fleet will improve both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Submarine carriers
In the context of the development of missile weapons and the corresponding capabilities of the fleet, the construction of Project 885M Yasen multipurpose nuclear submarines is of great importance. Four such submarines are currently at various stages of construction and testing, and another will be laid down in 2026.
The Perm submarine, the sixth Yasen-class vessel, is currently undergoing trials. This vessel is scheduled to be delivered to the customer by the end of the year. It was previously reported that the Perm will be the first vessel of its type to be routinely equipped with the Zircon hypersonic missile system.
Project 885(M) submarines are known to be equipped with eight launchers, each of which can accommodate several missile containers of different types. Specifically, a launcher can accommodate four 3M22 Tsirkon missile containers. The Yasen-class submarines' standard ammunition complement also includes Kalibr missiles and Oniks anti-ship missiles.
According to various reports, the Zircon missile reaches speeds of up to 10-11 km/h or Mach 8-9 in flight. Its range is expected to exceed 1 km. During the main portion of its flight, the missile uses inertial and/or satellite navigation, and target guidance is presumably accomplished using an active radar seeker. Surface or ground targets are destroyed using kinetic energy and a 300-400 kg warhead.
The 3M22 missiles are expected to significantly improve the Perm's combat potential. They will enable it to attack and destroy various surface and air targets, including those with good Defense and missile defense. The deployment of Tsirkons on other Yasen systems is expected in the future. This process will take several years, but will have clear positive consequences.
Return to service
In August 2025, following a major overhaul and modernization, the Project 1144 heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Admiral Nakhimov began sea trials. Barring any significant complications, all such trials will be completed in the coming months. The ship will return to the Pacific Fleet by the end of the year.
The Burya small missile ship under construction. Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The key feature of the modernization was the elimination of the standard set of launchers for the P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles. In their place, a modern 3S14 universal naval launch system with 80 launchers for various missile types was installed.
It was previously reported that the upgraded Admiral Nakhimov will be capable of using all types of weapons compatible with the UKSK 3S14. Its ammunition complement will include Kalibr cruise missiles, Oniks anti-ship missiles, and Tsirkon hypersonic missiles. The number of such missiles on board and the proportions of the ammunition complement will be determined in accordance with the assigned combat missions.
It's easy to see that such an upgrade will positively impact the cruiser's potential. First and foremost, it will lead to a significant increase in the size of its ammunition loadout. Furthermore, the ship will be able to carry several types of strike weapons, allowing it to perform a wider range of missions. The novelty factor should also be considered: all missiles for the 3S14 are significantly newer than those of the Granit, which in itself offers certain advantages.
It has been previously reported that the sister cruiser Pyotr Velikiy will follow the Admiral Nakhimov for repairs and modernization. It will likely also receive a new weapons system based on modern missiles and auxiliary equipment. As a result, the Russian Navy will have two heavy cruisers with broad combat capabilities.
Implementation of plans
It's worth noting that the growth in the missile-carrying fleet's performance isn't solely due to the implementation of bold and high-profile projects. Several series of ships of other types are also under construction. While these ships are smaller in displacement and ammunition capacity than heavy cruisers, they are no less valuable to the Navy.
Launch of the corvette Provorny, July 2024. Photo by USC
For example, several companies are engaged in the serial production of Project 22800 Karakurt small missile ships. Since 2018, eight such ships have been delivered to the customer. In 2026, two new small missile ships, Kozelsk and Burya, which are already undergoing testing, will be delivered to the Baltic Fleet. The Pacific Fleet, meanwhile, will receive the ships Rzhev and Udomlya.
With a full displacement of 870 tons, the Karakurts have a developed missile-artillery weapons. The main weapons are eight missiles of different types, transported in UKSK 3S14 cells.
A larger missile-armed ship is also expected to be delivered this year. This will be the corvette Provorny, built according to Project 20385. It was launched in June 2024 and is currently preparing for mooring trials. The ship will then head to sea for the next stage of testing. Barring any complications, Provorny will join the Pacific Fleet this year.
Project 20385 is based on the previously developed Project 20380 and differs in its primary armament. Corvettes of this class utilize the 3S14 UKSK missile system with eight launch cells. Consequently, the Provorny will be able to carry several types of strike missiles and attack targets on land and at sea.
This year, the Caspian Flotilla is also expected to receive a pair of guided missile combat units. Two Project 12418 missile boats, Stupinets and Strelok, have been under construction for it since the middle of the last decade. They were launched, completed, and sent out for testing in 2024 and 2025. It was previously reported that both pennants would enter service before the end of 2025. However, news There have been no reports of their delivery yet. Apparently, the signing of the acceptance certificate has been postponed until 2026.
The Stupinets missile boat. Photo: Telegram / BMPD
Project 12418 represents a major modernization of an older missile boat design. All major systems and weapons were replaced. For example, the Stupinets and Strelok boats will each receive two quadruple launchers for Kh-35 Uran missiles. The launchers are mounted behind the superstructure and fire sideways, over the side.
General trends
The domestic shipbuilding industry continues to fulfill orders from the Ministry of Defense and regularly delivers new ships, submarines, and boats of various classes to the Navy. Almost all of these ships carry modern missiles for self-defense or attack.
The delivery of the next missile-armed ships is scheduled for this year. The Navy will receive one multipurpose nuclear-powered submarine, several ships of various classes, and a pair of boats. These pennants will be accepted into three major naval formations and will improve their quantitative and qualitative capabilities.
The missile armament of the new combat units deserves attention. Most of these ships will be equipped with a standardized firing system. This will allow them to use a common range of missiles for various purposes. This approach offers clear advantages in terms of procurement, operation, and combat use.
Thus, shipbuilders and the Navy have a significant amount of work to accomplish this year. The results will significantly impact the combat effectiveness of surface and submarine forces. Clearly, such a result will fully justify the effort and resources invested.
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