Submarines of the Soviet Navy Trivia Quiz

Answer: Kilo class

The "Kilo" class began entering service with the Soviet navy in 1980. The largest diesel-electric submarines built by the Soviets, the "Kilos" were designed for anti-shipping and anti-submarine operations, mostly in coastal waters. The "Kilo" class was built in three batches, with units of the third variant, Project 636.3, still being built as of 2023. "Kilos" were also in service with eight other countries as of 2023.

Answer: November class

The "November" class submarines were designed in the early 1950s to attack American naval bases and coastal cities with nuclear torpedoes. The first boats had many engineering problems and were noisy when compared with American nuclear submarines. All of the "Novembers" were decommissioned by 1990.

Answer: Whiskey class

Built between 1950-1958, a total of 215 "Whiskey" class boats were built by the Soviets, with another 21 units built under license in China. There were four variants of the "Whiskey" class, and in the 50s and 60s, some Soviet units were converted to carry cruise missiles. Thirty eight of the Soviet-built boats were exported to other countries. All of the "Whiskey" class were decommissioned by the early 1990s.

Answer: Echo class

Designed in the early 1960s to counter American carrier-based air power, the 34 boats of the "Echo" class were nuclear powered and carried cruise missiles. Beginning in 1969, the "Echos" were converted to attack submarines by the removal of their missile launchers and modifications to reduce noise. All of the "Echos" were removed from service by 1994.

Answer: Typhoon class

Designed in the 1970s to counter the American "Ohio" class ballistic missile boats, the six "Typhoons", at some 48,000 tons submerged displacement, were the largest submarines ever built. They carried twenty multi-warhead nuclear missiles, as well as torpedoes and anti-submarine missiles. The last of the "Typhoons" was decommissioned in February, 2023.

Answer: Victor class

The "Victor" class of 48 boats were much quieter and more reliable than the previous "November" class. Built in three variants between 1967-1991, the "Victors" were designed to attack U.S. ballistic missile submarines and to protect Soviet surface forces. The class has been retired as of 2023.

Answer: 75

The "Foxtrot" class of submarines were medium-sized boats designed for patrol duties. Out of a total of 75 units built, 48 served in the Soviet and Russian navies, while 27 units were exported to other countries. The "Foxtrots" had a reputation as reliable boats that were relatively cheap to operate. The last "Foxtrot" was decommissioned in 2014.

Answer: Juliett class

Built before any ballistic missile submarines were commissioned, the Soviets planned to build 35 "Julietts", but only 16 were ever completed. After the ballistic missile boats began joining the fleet in the 1960s, the "Julietts" were refitted with conventional cruise missiles. The class were all decommissioned by 1994.

Answer: Golf class

First designed in the mid 1950s and based on the hull of the "Tango" class, the "Golf" class were designed to carry 3 nuclear missiles in a compartment next to the sail. Twenty-three units were completed between 1958-1962, and all were scrapped by 1990.

Answer: Four

The "Sierra" class attack submarines were one of the most advanced designs produced by the Soviet Union, quieter than previous boats and able to dive deeper than contemporary American units. Only four "Sierras" were built, and they are all still in service with the Russian Navy as of 2023.

Answer: Alfa class

The "Alfa" class, fifteen of which were built between 1968-1981, were an innovative class of submarines which used a titanium hull and a smaller, lead bismuth cooled reactor to save weight. The "Alfas" were capable of 40 knots underwater speed, a record only exceeded by the one-off "Papa" class boat of 1969.

While regarded as a successful design, the reactor had a shortened lifespan and the boats spent much of their time in port. The "Alfa" class were all retired by 1996.

Answer: Delta class

Built in four variants, the first "Delta I" boat was commissioned in 1972. The raised missile compartment was located aft of the sail, which gave the boats a unique profile. There were three follow on designs to the original, with the "Delta II", which carried four more missiles, the "Delta III", the first boats to carry multiple-warhead (MIRV) missiles, and the "Delta IV" class with improved range and sensors. A total of 43 "Deltas" of all variants were built between 1972-1992, and as of 2023, two "Delta III" and six "Delta IV" boats were still in commission with the Russian Navy.

Answer: Romeo class

A follow on to the "Whiskey" class , the Soviets planned to build some 60 of the "Romeo" class, but only 20 were completed due to the introduction of the nuclear submarine into the Soviet Navy. China built some 113 units of the design under license between 1962-1984, and the "Romeos" were widely exported.

As of 2023, there are still four "Romeos" in service with Egypt and twenty with North Korea, while Russia has two and China thirteen boats for training purposes.

Answer: Oscar class

The Soviet Navy began building the "Oscar" class boats in 1982, and a total of eight were completed before the fall of the Soviet Union. The Russian Navy has upgraded the design, and six more "Oscars" have been built since 1992, with two still building as of 2023. Four of the Soviet boats have been scrapped, while a Russian-built unit, the "Kursk", sank in the Barents Sea in 2000.

Answer: Akula class

The Soviet "Akula" class are the quietest submarines built by the Soviet Navy. Designed with an advanced double hull system, high underwater speed, and deep diving capability, the "Akulas" were a complete shock to the NATO alliance, as it was not thought that the Soviets were capable of producing such an advanced vessel. Out of fifteen built by the Soviet and Russian navies, it is believed that ten units are still in service as of 2023.