These Military Vehicles Cost More Than Your House

3. Russia's Typhoon-Class Submarine (Akula class)

Manufacturer: Sevmash's Amur Shipyard Main Users: Indian Navy and Russian Navy Program Cost (FY 1995): $1.55 billion Cost per unit: $700 million* The Russian word for "shark" is "akula," which is an appropriate name for this amazing military vessel. The Soviets gave this Typhoon-class submarine, which is nuclear-powered, the designation Project Akula. The largest class of submarines currently in service is the Typhoon class, which is even larger than the submarines built by US firms like Huntington Ingalls Industries.

Advertisement

[Akula class] Typhoon-class Submarine (Russia)@CcibChris/TTwitter.com Out of a projected seven Typhoon-class submarines, six have been constructed. The subs can comfortably accommodate 160 crew members. The Soviet Union is said to have developed the Typhoon class in response to the United States' introduction of the Ohio class of submarines. The Navy evolved in the course of the Cold War. In 2012, Russia withdrew its intentions to modify the Typhoon class, citing cost as an impediment. It would cost as much as building two brand-new Borei submarines. At the same time, Russia declared that the Sturgeon SLMBs had been abolished in 2012. There is currently just one Typhoon in operation, the Typhoon-class submarine Dmitry Donskoy, which is equipped with RSM-56 Bulava SLBMs.