🇷🇺🚤 Russia Builds Even Quieter Successor To Its ‘Black Hole’ Submarines Russia is expanding its Lada-class submarine fleet with a design intended to improve on the stealth of the Kilo boats nicknamed “Black Holes.” The latest submarine, Maloyaroslavets, was laid down at Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg on August 27. 🔸 Reduced noise and improved acoustic protection make the Lada harder to detect. Its designer, Rubin, has described the class as even quieter than its predecessors, calling it “blacker than a black hole.” 🔸 An improved sonar suite strengthens the other side of the equation: detecting an opponent. Combined with lower noise, this could help the submarine locate and track enemy vessels before they establish contact with it. 🔸 The smaller design uses extensive automation and requires a crew of around 35. The Lada packs reconnaissance, submarine hunting, attacks on surface ships and minelaying into a compact platform. 🔸 Six 533 mm torpedo tubes accommodate torpedoes, mines and Kalibr cruise missiles. The missile capability extends its reach to targets on land, giving a concealed submarine several ways to threaten an opposing force. 🔸 Published specifications include a submerged speed of 21 knots, a diving depth of 300 meters and endurance of up to 45 days at sea. 🔸 Serial boats incorporate changes developed through trials of the lead vessel, Sankt-Peterburg. The redesigned Kronshtadt joined the fleet in 2024, followed by Velikiye Luki in 2025. Three further boats are now under construction. A growing Lada fleet would give Russia more quiet platforms for patrolling maritime approaches, tracking hostile vessels and launching strikes. For NATO, the challenge begins well before a weapon is fired: finding a small submarine, maintaining contact and preventing it from choosing the moment of attack. Can NATO detect Russia’s new Lada submarines before they get close enough to strike? @NewRulesGeo❗Follow us on X