OVERVIEW: The PLARK-675MK Echo II is a cruise missile submarine (SSGN) of Soviet origin, representing a significant evolution in Soviet naval strike capabilities during the Cold War. Entering service in 1978, it was designed to engage surface combatants, particularly aircraft carriers, at long ranges using anti-ship cruise missiles.

DETAILS: The Project 675MK (Echo II-class, modified) represents a dedicated anti-surface warfare platform, stemming from a Soviet doctrine prioritizing saturation attacks against enemy naval formations. Its development was driven by the perceived threat of US Navy carrier strike groups and the limitations of shorter-ranged anti-ship missiles. The Echo II design philosophy emphasized a high missile payload combined with the underwater endurance needed to reach distant operating areas. The "MK" variant reflects upgrades and modifications to the original Project 675 design, primarily concerning the integration of newer missile systems and improved sensor suites. The submarine’s large size accommodated the necessary missile tubes and associated guidance systems, albeit at the cost of increased acoustic signature. The Echo II, including the MK variant, was considered a vital component of the Soviet Navy's "bastion" defense strategy, aimed at protecting ballistic missile submarines and denying the US Navy access to strategically important areas.

The primary role of the PLARK-675MK was anti-surface warfare (ASuW), specifically targeting enemy surface combatant groups with its SS-N-12 Sandbox cruise missiles. While not optimized for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), it retained torpedo tubes for self-defense and opportunistic engagements. The platform’s operations typically involved long-range deployments, often into the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, where it would patrol designated areas awaiting targeting information relayed from reconnaissance assets such as maritime patrol aircraft and satellites. The submarine’s endurance allowed it to remain on station for extended periods, posing a persistent threat to enemy surface forces. Its ability to launch multiple SS-N-12 missiles in a coordinated salvo was intended to overwhelm enemy air defenses and ensure at least some missiles would reach their targets. The PLARK-675MK did not possess any direct anti-air warfare (AAW) capability.

The PLARK-675MK's effectiveness stemmed from the integration of its sensor suite and its primary armament. The Snoop Slab [Burya] radar was crucial for initial target acquisition and missile guidance updates post-launch. The Quad Loop DF served as a direction finding antenna for locating surface combatants via their radio transmissions. The Shark Teeth [MKG-100 Kerch] and Shark Fin [MKG-100 Kerch] sonar systems provided underwater situational awareness, although their performance was limited compared to dedicated ASW submarines. The Front Door A [Argument] electronic warfare system contributed to the submarine’s ability to identify and classify radar emissions from enemy warships. The installation of the Mine Avoidance [MG-14 Arfa-G] sonar was a vital safety feature when operating in constricted waters. The six torpedo tubes offered limited close-range self-defense capability. The SS-N-12 Sandbox [P-500 Bazalt] missiles provided long-range strike capability against surface vessels, and the Signal Ejector would be used for communication when surfacing was undesirable.

SPECIFICATION: Length: 119.0 m || Beam: 9.2 m || Draft: 7.1 m || Disp: 4485 t

SENSORS: Quad Loop DF || Stop Light B [Nakat] || Shark Teeth [MKG-100 Kerch] || Shark Fin [MKG-100 Kerch] || Front Door A [Argument] || Snoop Slab [Burya] || Generic Acoustic Intercept || Mine Avoidance [MG-14 Arfa-G] || Generic Submarine Periscope || Optical

ARMAMENT: SS-N-12 Sandbox [P-500 Bazalt] Single Tubes || Signal Ejector || 533mm TT || 533mm TT || 400mm TT