Modern Submarines

Submarines are a key component of modern naval warfare, providing navies with the ability to make missile strikes from anywhere in the world against their enemies. Submarines today are divided into three main types: attack submarines, designed to carry out attacks on enemy shipping; ballistic missile submarines, able to launch nuclear missiles; and cruise missile submarines, able to launch heavy missiles at land- and sea-based targets. Arranged by country, this book offers a detailed guide to the major types of submarines deployed in the world today. Find out about the nuclear-powered Virginia class, the US Navy's premier fast attack submarine, capable of launching Tomahawk missiles at ranges of 2500km (1550 miles); discover the Chinese navy's Type 039 diesel-electric submarine, designed to provide a blue-water attack capability in the waters around the Chinese mainland; and learn about the Russian Alpha class, which was able to reach speeds of up to 41 knots (47 mph; 76 km/h) submerged - one of the fastest speeds ever achieved for a submersible.