(CLO) Nuclear-powered attack submarines are the most complex type of warship and have extremely powerful deterrence capabilities. As North Korea has just joined the list of countries that possess this type of ship, let's take a look at the five powers that are investing the most in nuclear submarines.
At the top of the global naval hierarchy are nations capable of designing, building, and operating nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs), advanced and virtually unstoppable weapons. At the extreme end of the spectrum are nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), tasked with patrolling closed circuits in the deep ocean.
According to GlobalData’s “Global Submarine Market Forecast 2024-2034”, the global submarine market, valued at USD 37.3 billion in 2024, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4% during the forecast period.
North Korea is said to have just unveiled its first nuclear-powered attack submarine. Photo: Dailymotion
Here are the 5 countries investing most heavily in this type of warship:
Australia
As a newcomer to the nuclear submarine space, Australia has embarked on a bilateral plan to develop its SSN capability through the AUKUS security initiative, with significant support from the US and UK. The Australian Navy will operate up to three Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs).
The Australian Navy will operate three US-built Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines. Photo: US Navy
The first pillar of the AUKUS framework culminates with the US sale of Virginia-class submarines to Australia in the early 2030s, with the Australian Navy operating up to three Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs), capable of operating for at least 10 years, and two additional Virginia-class submarines retained as options.
Australia will then replace its Virginia-class submarines with the SSN-AUKUS design, a joint program with the UK that will provide a next-generation SSN to replace the Astute and Virginia classes currently in service. The UK will deliver its first SSN-AUKUS in the late 2030s, with the first SSN-AUKUS built in Australia expected to be delivered in the early 2040s.
In addition, it is possible that the US, UK and Australia could share the same torpedoes, with US and UK submarines currently operating the Mark 48 and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes (which have ranges of 35 to 56 km and warheads weighing around 300 kg). Other areas of commonality that could draw on US technology include common systems and controls, sonar and other intelligence-gathering sensors.
GlobalData analysis shows Australia’s spending on AUKUS, which has seen billions of dollars invested in the UK and US defence industries, will rise from nearly $3.6 billion in 2024 to nearly $6.4 billion in 2034. In total, Canberra will commit $52.8 billion to the procurement of nuclear-powered attack submarines over the next decade.
China
The country's defense spending has a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% during 2019–23, reaching $230.3 billion in 2023, and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%, reaching $323.7 billion in 2028. China's Ministry of National Defense is also expected to spend $1.4 trillion during 2024–28 on military hardware procurement and armed forces modernization.
Of this, more than $36.6 billion will be spent on SSN and SSBN procurement, with annual spending in 2034 expected to reach more than $4.3 billion, up from $2.6 billion in 2024.
The Chinese Navy operates two Type-094A nuclear-powered ballistic missile attack submarines. Graphics: TurboSquid
According to Naval Technology, China has the world’s largest navy. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) operates a large number of diesel-electric submarines, but since the turn of the millennium has sought to further develop its nuclear capabilities, with the commissioning of two Type-093 SSNs in 2006–2007 and four Type-093A variants in 2012–2017.
The PLAN also operates nuclear-powered ballistic missile attack submarines (SSBNs), with four Type-094s commissioned between 2007 and 2021 and two Type-094As by 2020. The PLAN also has one 1980s-era Type-092 SSBN in service.
China is also working on a new Type-096 SSBN class, with two under construction, and likely more planned as part of a general transition to nuclear propulsion for its submarine fleet.
Additionally, an unspecified number of Type-095 SSNs are also under development, with Bohai Shipyard (China Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd.) being the most likely candidate for the production phase.
India
In late 2024, in a major move to bolster maritime security, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the indigenous construction of two nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) under Project 75-Alpha, itself part of a much broader pattern of spending on submarine capabilities.
India's Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. Photo: APDR
The analysis shows that India will spend around $31.6 billion on the procurement of various types of submarines over the next decade. Of this, 30.5% will be diverted towards the procurement of Project 75-Alpha SSNs during the same period, when India is expected to acquire a total of six nuclear attack submarines under the program at an estimated cost of $17 billion.
With its strike power and unlimited underwater endurance, the nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) will enable India to project power in the Indo-Pacific region while supporting self-reliance in critical defense technologies. These SSNs, combined with the Indian Navy’s P-8I anti-submarine patrol aircraft, will enhance the ability to detect and track submarines operating in the Indian Ocean.
Russia
Russia is a leading nation in nuclear-powered submarines, with experience dating back decades, right from the early stages of the Cold War.
Surpassing even the surface fleet, the Russian Navy's submarine force is an extremely powerful deterrent, with high-class design, production and maintenance capabilities at the country's defense industrial facilities.
With a displacement of 24,000 tons, Russia's Borei-class nuclear submarine carries 16 RSM-56 Bulava missiles. Photo: Wikipedia
According to GlobalData 2024, Moscow is expected to spend nearly $35.5 billion on submarine procurement over the next 10 years. While the land war budget is a priority, the critical nature of the SSN and SSBN fleet means Moscow must still balance its investment in its most critical deterrent.
The Russian Navy possesses a significant nuclear submarine fleet, including one Losharik-class SSN, up to four Yasen-class SSNs, and seven Borei-class SSBNs, which entered service in 2003, 2013, and since 2013, respectively. The Russian Navy also maintains up to nine Akula-class SSNs, six Oscar II-class SSNs, and two Sierra II-class SSNs from the 1980s.
A Russian Borei-class submarine fires a Bulava nuclear-tipped ballistic missile from underwater. Photo: National Interest
On the ongoing and future procurement front, the Yasen-class nuclear attack submarines are gradually being introduced to replace other older classes, with plans for up to 12 submarines. Similarly, up to 14 Borei-class submarines will also be procured.
With a displacement of 14,700 tons when surfaced and 24,000 tons when submerged, the Borei-class submarine carries 16 RSM-56 Bulava missiles with 6 to 10 warheads each and a range of 10,000 km. The total explosive power of the warheads attached to an RSM-56 Bulava missile can reach 1,000 kilotons, equivalent to 67 atomic bombs dropped by the US on Hiroshima.
America
For the United States, which has long lost numerical parity with the Chinese Navy in terms of surface combatants, submarines represent one area where it still maintains an edge over its newest rival in the global naval rankings.
The massive nature of the US defense budget allows it to spend on a scale few other countries can match. Analysis by GlobalData shows that the US defense budget will increase by 10.7% in 2023 to $818.8 billion, up from $739.5 billion in 2022.
The US Ohio-class submarine is launching Trident D5 intercontinental ballistic missiles with a range of 12,000 km and 8 nuclear warheads each. Photo: Wikipedia
The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) provides for a 2.8% increase in the US defense budget to $841.4 billion in 2024, a figure that excludes Department of Energy and Defense Atomic Energy Activities spending from the NDAA's total spending. By 2028, the total US defense budget is expected to reach $931.6 billion.
Of that, Washington is expected to spend $213.9 billion on nuclear submarines over the next decade. The US Navy operates about 24 Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs), a design first introduced in the 1970s, with 62 eventually built, and three Seawolf-class submarines launched in 1997.
The newest SSN in the US Navy's service, the Virginia class, is set to first enter service in 2024, with 23 ships currently in service and up to 66 if the project is completed as planned.
In terms of ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), the US operates 14 Ohio-class submarines, carrying nuclear deterrent weapons, as well as four modified Ohio-class submarines, equipped with cruise missiles and designated SSGNs.
The Columbia-class SSBN program to replace these vessels is currently planned to produce 12 SSBNs, with the first of the class expected to enter service around 2031.
Each Columbia-class submarine has a displacement of 20,800 tons and carries 16 Trident D5 nuclear missiles. These missiles can carry up to 8 W88 warheads with a yield of 475 kilotons (equivalent to about 32 atomic bombs dropped by the US on Hiroshima) and a range of 12,000 km.
The price of a Columbia-class nuclear submarine is about 9.15 billion USD and the total life cycle cost of all 12 boats could be up to 347 billion USD.
Nguyen Khanh
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/top-5-cuong-quoc-dau-tu-manh-nhat-cho-ham-doi-tau-ngam-hat-nhan-post337692.html
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