Podmoskovye (Project 09787)

The Podmoskovye (Project 09787) is a highly modified Delta IV-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) converted into a special mission auxiliary support submarine. It serves as a mothership for deep-diving submersibles and special operations, carrying out intelligence gathering and underwater research for the Russian Navy.

Originally commissioned in 1986 as the Delta IV-class ballistic missile submarine K-64, the vessel was sent to the Zvezdochka shipyard in 1999 to undergo a massive conversion to replace older special-mission platforms. During this prolonged reconstruction, its missile compartment was removed to install docking equipment for deep-sea midget submarines, officially re-entering service as BS-64 Podmoskovye in December 2016. Operated by the secretive Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research (GUGI), the submarine has been deployed on sensitive missions in the Arctic Ocean to map the seabed and monitor critical underwater infrastructure. Today, it remains fully active in the Northern Fleet, serving as a cornerstone of Russia's deep-sea espionage and strategic underwater capabilities.