Paltus (Project 877 (Kilo))

The Project 877 Paltus (NATO reporting name Kilo) is a class of diesel-electric attack submarines developed by the Soviet Union. Known for its exceptionally quiet operation, it is primarily designed for anti-shipping and anti-submarine warfare in relatively shallow waters.

Designed in the 1970s by the Rubin Design Bureau to replace aging Soviet diesel-electric fleets, the Project 877 Paltus entered service with the Soviet Navy in 1980. The design incorporated a teardrop hull shape and an anechoic coating to drastically reduce its acoustic signature, earning it the nickname "Black Hole" from NATO forces. Beyond its extensive Soviet and Russian deployments, the class was widely exported to nations including India, China, and Iran, and has been utilized for patrol duties and cruise missile strikes in modern conflicts. Today, many original Project 877 hulls remain active, and the design's success laid the groundwork for the modernized Project 636 Improved Kilo-class submarines.