N700025 SOVIET SUBMARINE PROJECT 671 YORZH (NATO NAME VICTOR I)

The Victor I-class (or Project 671) ships were Soviet nuclear powered fighter submarines (ANNs) that began entering service in 1967. A total of 16 ships of this class were built. A single unit of this type was 95 m long and 10 m wide, with an underwater displacement of up to approx. 5,100 tons. The maximum underwater speed was up to 29-30 knots. The armament probably consisted of 4 bow 533 mm torpedo tubes and 2 659 mm torpedo tubes. Victor I-class submarines (or Project 671) were created as a response of the Soviet Navy (MW) to the threat resulting from the entry into service of the US Navy of SSBN type units, i.e. nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles). They were also part of the decisive development of the ZOP (anti-submarine anti-submarine) capabilities of the USSR Navy, visible in the 1960s, which was manifested, for example, by the introduction of the Moscow-type surface units into service. It was assumed that the Victor I-class ships would shadow the American SSBN-class ships on patrol, and would be destroyed when they prepared to launch their missiles. However, already in the 1970s it became clear that this was an unrealistic approach to the problem and it was decided to designate ships of this type to protect their own SSBN. Undoubtedly, however, the Victor I ships were equipped with good (as for the 1960s and 1970s) electronic equipment, they were also characterized by high underwater speed and considerable combat capabilities. Their great advantage was the use of the hull in the so-called teardrop-shaped (Albacore type). They were built at the Admiralty Shipyard in what was then Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg).