Delta

The Delta class refers to a series of Soviet Union (and later Russian) strategic submarines designed to carry submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). These nuclear-powered submarines were developed during the Cold War to provide a deterrent against enemy attack, as their submerged missile launch capability made a preemptive strike virtually impossible.12

The first Delta-class submarines were delivered in 1967 and were followed by improved versions. These vessels were equipped with SS-N-18 missiles, which had a range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km). Later iterations, such as the Typhoon class, were even larger and carried missiles with a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km). The Delta class represented a significant advancement in submarine technology, contributing to the strategic balance of power during the Cold War.12