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Delta III (Project 667BDR Kalmar)

1976 COLD WAR MODERN NAVY

History

Although the Soviet Union was the first to launch missiles from submarines, their early systems were short-range. The 34 ships, known in the West as the Yankees, were built between 1967 and 1974 and were apparently based on the stolen American Benjamin Franklin-class plans. These formed the basis for the subsequent Delta-class, an extended evolution of the Yankee design.

The first Deltas entered service in 1972, and the original Delta I design was replaced by the provisional Delta II, which had 16 missiles instead of the original 12. Beginning in 1976, Project 667 BDR Kalmar followed, better known in the West as the Delta III. These have a larger and longer turtle behind the sail.

A total of 14 Delta III class submarines were built in Severodvinsk.

The Delta III submarine initially carried the R-29R (Western designation SS-N-18 Stingray) SLBM. This was the Soviet Union's first sea-launched multiple warhead system. Although later used, the R-29RL had a 450kT warhead. Currently, surviving Delta III-class ships carry upgraded R-29RKU2 ICBMs.

The missiles have a range of 9,000 kilometers and can hit any target in China, Europe and the United States.

Development of the follow-up project 667 BDRM Delfin (known as Delta IV in the west) began in 1975. The first ship was commissioned in 1985. It is another modification of the Delta III with a larger diameter pressure hull and a longer bow section. Displacement increased by 1,200 tons and lengthened by 12 m.

Delta III submarines serving in the Northern Fleet form a division and are stationed in the ports of Saida and Olinya. In the early 90s, ballistic missile submarines were transferred to Yagyelnaya. Delta III of the Pacific Fleet is based in Kamchatka.

In 1990, the Soviet Navy had a total of 13 Delta III class submarines. As of 2017, only 3 of these submarines are still in service with the Russian Navy. These boats have exceeded their design life. In 2018, two more workboats were retired from active service. In 2019, the Ryazan was the last active ship in the class.

In addition, in 2019, a ballistic missile misfired in Ryazan during a military exercise. This clearly shows that the ship and its missiles are obsolete. This last Delta III class ship is likely to be retired in the near future.

Russia is currently building several new Borei-class ballistic missile submarines. Once in service, they will replace Delta III and Delta IV class ships.