File image.
The submarines of the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet have been employing their land-attack capabilities in support of the special military operation in Ukraine.
On April 24, Russian sources shared photos showing a Black Sea Fleet Project 636.3 Improved Kilo-class submarine, Velikiy Novgorod (B-268), being loaded with four 3M14K Kalibr land-attack cruise missiles in the port of Sevastopol. The photos were reportedly taken in mid-April.
The Black Sea Fleet’s Improved Kilo diesel-electric attack submarines have reportedly carried out several strikes on high-value military targets of Kiev forces since the beginning of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine. The most recent strike was reported on April 22.
Click to see full-size image. Via Twitter.
Click to see full-size image. Via Twitter.
The 3M14T cruise missile has a range of 2500 kilometers. The missile’s guidance system is built around an INS [inertial navigation system] and GLONASS satellite guidance systems. The missile can fly at low altitudes thanks to a TERCOM [terrain contour matching] system.
The missile, which has a terminal speed of Mach 0.8, is armed with a 450 kg HE-FRAG [high explosive fragmentation] or bunker buster warhead.
The Kalibr family includes several types of land-attack, anti-ship and anti-submarine missiles that can be launched from warships, submarines, ground vehicles and even warplanes. Ship-launched land-attack cruise missiles of the Kalibr family have already seen action in Ukraine.
At least six Improved Kilo submarines are known to be in service with the Black Sea Fleet’s 4th Independent Submarine Brigade. These quiet, heavily-armed submarines can provide serious offensive capabilities.
