The largest submarine ever built is the Soviet Navy’s Typhoon class submarine. It was commissioned in 1981 and was in service until the late 2000s. The Typhoon class submarine had a displacement of around 48,000 tons, it was 170 meters (560 ft) long, and had a crew of around 160 sailors.
The Typhoon class submarine was designed to carry 20 R-39 Rif (NATO reporting name: SS-N-20 Sturgeon) submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with a range of up to 8,300 miles (13,000 km), making it one of the most powerful submarines of its time. It was also heavily armed with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, it was also fitted with advanced sonar systems and was able to operate at depths of up to 600 feet (200 m).
The Typhoon class submarine was built during the Cold War, and was primarily intended to be used as a missile platform, to launch a nuclear strike against the United States and its NATO allies. However, it was also able to carry out reconnaissance and anti-ship operations.
Other notable contenders for the title of the largest submarine include the Russian Navy’s Borei class, the American Navy’s Ohio class, and the British Navy’s Vanguard class.