One of Russia’s nuclear-powered submarines of the Russian Pacific Fleet has fired has fired Oniks and Kalibr cruise missiles. The weapons were launched from Novosibirsk, a Project 885M Yasen-M class multi-purpose nuclear-powered submarine.
Reports revealed that Kalibr successfully hit its designated target from 745 miles away. While Oniks cruise missile engaged a maritime target, and covered a distance of 105 miles.
Submarine’s combat capabilities tested
The exercise demonstrated the submarine’s ability to engage targets at sea and on land while operating underwater in the Pacific Ocean. The launches formed part of scheduled military training activities aimed at testing the submarine’s combat capabilities.
The two launches highlighted the submarine’s ability to employ different missile systems against distinct types of targets, combining maritime strike capabilities with long-range attacks against land-based objectives.
Russian Pacific Fleet vessels secured the exercise area, which was closed to civilian shipping and aircraft during the missile launches.
The Novosibirsk belongs to Russia’s Project 885M Yasen-M class of multipurpose nuclear-powered submarines. These vessels are designed to perform a range of missions, including engaging surface ships and attacking land-based targets with cruise missiles.
Submarine is first serial-production vessel of Project 885M class
The submarine is the first serial-production vessel of the Project 885M class, according to TASS. Its keel was laid on July 26, 2013, and it was launched on December 25, 2019.
On September 28, 2022, the submarine arrived at its permanent base in the Kamchatka region, joining Russia’s Pacific Fleet alongside the Knyaz Oleg, a Project 955A Borei-A-class strategic nuclear-powered submarine.
The Yasen-M program represents an important component of Russia’s modern naval force, providing multipurpose submarines capable of conducting operations across different maritime environments.
The Oniks and Kalibr missile families are among the principal weapons associated with Russia’s Yasen and Yasen-M-class submarines. The Oniks is an anti-ship cruise missile designed to engage surface vessels. Its use during the exercise simulated an attack against an opposing naval force.
The Kalibr family includes cruise missiles designed for different missions, including strikes against land-based targets. During the reported exercise, the missile was used against a designated target at the Kura testing ground.
The successful launches, as reported by the Russian Defense Ministry, demonstrate the operational use of both missile systems during a single training activity. However, the ministry’s statement does not provide independent verification of the results or disclose additional technical details about the missiles’ performance.
The reported missile exercise involving the Novosibirsk highlights Russia’s continued emphasis on submarine-based strike capabilities in the Pacific region. By firing Oniks and Kalibr cruise missiles at maritime and coastal targets, the submarine demonstrated the operational use of two key weapons systems associated with the Yasen-M class.
While the Russian Defense Ministry reported that both missiles hit their designated targets, the broader significance of the exercise lies in its demonstration of the submarine’s multipurpose role and its contribution to Russia’s Pacific Fleet.