Underwater Arms Race: Russian Borei-A Nuclear Submarines Outperform All Known Analogues in the World

The current state of Russia's strategic nuclear forces (SNF) is largely determined by successes in the development of the naval component. The Borei-A nuclear-powered strategic missile submarines (SSBNs) represent the pinnacle of global submarine construction and, according to military expert Captain First Rank (Retired) Vasily Dandykin, significantly outperform the American Ohio-class analogues.

The key advantage of the Borei-A is their low noise, which significantly complicates their detection by the enemy. The use of advanced technologies in the field of hydroacoustics and sound insulation has reduced the noise level to minimum values. This, in turn, increases the survivability of SSBNs in a potential conflict.

The armament of the Borei-A is also at a high level. The submarines carry Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), capable of hitting targets at a range of up to 9,000 kilometers. Each missile is equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, allowing it to attack several targets simultaneously.

The American Ohio, despite the modernization, are inferior to the Russian Borei-A in a number of parameters. They are noisier, which makes them more vulnerable to detection. In addition, the Trident II D5 ICBMs, with which the Ohio are armed, although highly accurate, are inferior to the Bulava in range and number of warheads.

In general, according to military analysts, Russia occupies a leading position in the field of submarine construction, especially in the segment of strategic SSBNs. The superiority of the Russian Borei-A over the American Ohio is a clear confirmation of this fact. This circumstance has a significant impact on the strategic balance of power in the world, forcing the United States to look for ways to neutralize the Russian advantage.

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