Summary and key points: Submarines have evolved into fast, stealthy and highly maneuverable platforms. Topping the list is the US Navy’s Seawolf-class submarine, the fastest and most advanced boat, capable of reaching speeds of over 35 miles per hour and diving to depths of 2,000 feet.
– Following closely behind is the Virginia-class, a versatile submarine designed for modern warfare that can reach a top speed of 28 miles per hour. The Russian Yasen-M class, known for its ability to carry hypersonic missiles, travels at 40 miles per hour and dives to nearly 2,000 feet.
– China’s Shang-class submarine is a testament to the country’s growing naval strength, reaching speeds of 55 kilometers per hour and diving to depths of over 660 meters.
– Finally, the British Vanguard class, central to the Royal Navy’s nuclear deterrent, offers reliable performance with a speed of 28 miles per hour and a diving depth of over 1,300 feet. These submarines represent the pinnacle of undersea warfare technology.
The 5 fastest submarines in the world: speed, stealth and performance
Submarines may be an older technological platform, but each version gets better than the last.
Submarines must be stealthy. In addition, however, submarines must have high speed and the ability to dive quickly. They must also be extremely maneuverable.
While the following list is far from exhaustive, it identifies the five best fast submarines in the world based on these characteristics.
5. Vanguard-class submarine
Once the world’s greatest naval power, the British Royal Navy is now a shadow of its former glory. However, the British still have some capabilities that make them competitive at sea, and the Vanguard-class nuclear submarine is an excellent heir to the legacy of the great Imperial Navy that preceded it.
These boats were developed for use during the Cold War and remain the Royal Navy’s most important submarine today.
A Vanguard-class submarine displaces almost 16,000 tons underwater. It is powered by a Rolls Royce pressurized water-cooled nuclear reactor that supplies steam to two General Electric geared turbines that transmit 27,500 horsepower to a shaft.
Its speed is an impressive 28 miles per hour. It can also dive to depths of over 1,300 feet. The numbers don’t lie. The Vanguard class is a solid submarine.
4. Shang-class submarine
The People’s Liberation Army Navy of China is continually developing its submarine capabilities to rival those of the Americans, Russians and other advanced navies, with the nuclear-powered Shang class leading the way.
The Shang class has a displacement of 7,000 tons and can carry about 100 crew members. Their top speed is about 30 knots or 34 miles per hour, and these ships can dive to a depth of 2,296 feet.
Regarding the maneuverability of this submarine, one analyst wrote: “China can ensure that the submarine (of the Shang class) achieves a breakthrough in underwater navigation and that the nuclear propulsion system has sufficient power to match the tonnage of the hull. Under better circumstances, it is quite possible that (the Shang class) will achieve relatively excellent underwater speed and underwater maneuverability.”
3. Yasen-M class submarine
Although Russia is more of a continental than a naval power, the Russian Navy is capable of building some remarkable underwater systems.
The Yasen-M class is particularly impressive. The Russians recently converted this class of “rugged” Russian submarines (as Business Insider called them in 2023) into carriers for hypersonic missiles, making the Yasen-M the only active submarine in the world capable of deploying these next-generation weapons. In June, the Russians deployed one of these boats in a flotilla to Cuba, circumnavigating the US east coast.
The Yasen-M has a cruising speed of up to 35 knots (40 miles per hour) and can safely dive to a depth of about 1,968 feet. It displaces about 13,800 tons.
Overall, the Russians have one of the fastest and most dangerous underwater platforms in existence today. The Americans underestimate the Yasen-M at their own peril.
2. Virginia-class submarine
When America was looking for a replacement for the legendary Los Angeles-class attack submarine, it initially chose the highly complex but expensive Seawolf class.
Unfortunately, the cost of this submarine and the lack of a Soviet enemy caused Congress to reconsider its decision to make the Seawolf class the American Navy’s new primary attack submarine. The Navy sent the boat back to the drawing board and produced the Virginia class.
A Virginia-class submarine can reach about 28 miles per hour. Because the boats are relatively new, the Navy isn’t as forthcoming about certain design details. For example, the Navy is coy about the maximum operating depth of this submarine, listing it as “more than 800 feet.” It also carries 15 officers and 117 enlisted men.
A highly maneuverable and fast submarine, the Virginia class is one of the best attack submarines ever built.
1. Seawolf-class submarine
Now to the blue label of modern submarines, the US Navy’s Seawolf class. As mentioned above, this boat was supposed to replace the Los Angeles class attack submarines starting in the early 1990s until Congress got cold feet.
At a cost of around $4.3 billion per unit, it’s hard to blame them. But given the threats the U.S. faces today, a fleet of these submarines might have been the best long-term investment the Navy could have made.
Unfortunately, there is no turning back. The Navy currently has only three of these submarines and there are no plans to restart the production line. In addition, the Navy prefers the Virginia-class submarine, which, while as you just read, is a versatile and fast boat, has limitations on its speed and maneuverability that the Seawolf class does not have.
This boat can travel over 35 miles per hour. The Seawolf class is extremely maneuverable and can dive to a depth of 2,000 feet, with the maximum diving depth being between 2,400 and 3,000 feet below the water surface.
It is widely believed that the threat posed by the Seawolf-class submarine is what is giving the Chinese and Russians sleepless nights. It is not only the fastest submarine in the world, but also the best submarine ever built.
Author’s experience and expertise: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a national security analyst for the National Interest, is a former congressional staffer and geopolitical analyst who is a contributor to The Washington Times, The Asia Times, and The Pipeline. He is the author of Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His next book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine, will be published by Encounter Books on October 22. Weichert can be followed on Twitter. @WeTheBrandon.
All images are Creative Commons or Shutterstock.
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