DailyTech a couple of years back covered Russia's campaign to build "the father of all bombs" -- the largest traditional bomb to date.  Russia has also been testing new nuclear weapons, as well.

Now Russia has piqued the interest of the military world with the announcement of new plans for another significant expansion of its nuclear warfare efforts.  A source in the Russian Defense Ministry told the Itar-Tass news agency announced that Russia is working on at least six nuclear-powered submarines with long-range cruise missiles for its navy. 

Russia has built ballistics submarines capable of delivering a high-capacity nuclear strike in the past.  However, it previously did not have any nuclear-equipped cruise missile subs that were publicly known of -- though it did have a few traditional cruise missile subs. 

While Russia had as many as 100+ ballistic subs at its Cold War peak, these subs were a blunt instrument, not well-suited for delivering smaller tactical strikes.  The new subs will be designed to potentially carry low-capacity tactical warheads -- the kind well suited for such strikes.

The source describes, "These supersonic, highly maneuvering missiles are designed for strikes on aircraft carriers of the enemy if the latter poses a direct threat to Russia's security.  The missiles can be launched at the most important coastal facilities."

The new subs are schedule to be completed in 2011.  The Sevmash shipyard is constructing the Severodvinsk-class submarines, according to Global Security's website.  The Russian source insists that Russia is playing by the rules when it comes to the new nuclear subs.  They state, "Despite the construction of a new nuclear submarine with new missiles, Russia intends to observe firmly international arms control agreements on equal terms with other countries."

The U.S. has several nuclear-powered cruise missile subs, the first of which launched in 1964.  These special cruise missile subs were equipped with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles, though they have since been retrofitted, removing nuclear armaments.  The U.S. currently has no nuclear-tipped cruise missile subs, as it is considered in violation of international treaties to equip Tomahawk cruise missiles with nuclear payloads. 

First Deputy Chief of the Navy's General Staff, Vice-Admiral Oleg Burtsev confirmed to Itar-Tass that Russia was financing the construction of new cruise-missile subs.