According to a source, the Russian Navy is returning to the Soviet-era practice of using diesel-electric submarines in ocean zones.
The focus is on Project 636.3 Varshavyanka submarines, which have begun combat patrol missions in remote areas of the Pacific Ocean. The first such deployment was carried out by the Magadan submarine. It left its base in December 2025, replenished supplies at Russian Navy facilities, and then moved on to its main tasks.
The Magadan’s deployment lasted more than 40 days. During the mission, the diesel-electric submarine’s crew practiced joint operations with crews of nuclear-powered submarines.
Captain First Rank Igor Kurdin said such submarines are often wrongly viewed as vessels intended only for the near-sea zone. In his view, each type of submarine has its own advantages: nuclear-powered boats have greater search capabilities, while low-noise diesel-electric submarines offer a high degree of stealth.
Kurdin noted that during the Soviet period, diesel-electric submarines also carried out combat service in the northern Atlantic. He described the decision to revive this long-abandoned practice as entirely justified.
Project 636 Varshavyanka submarines belong to the third generation of diesel-electric submarines. They are a further development and modernization of the export version of the Paltus-class submarine family and are considered among the quietest submarines in the world.
These submarines are designed to fight enemy submarines and surface ships, protect naval bases, coastlines and sea communications, and conduct reconnaissance and patrol missions.