You could buy your own Russian ‘Red October’-style mega submarine… but it comes with a dark past and HUGE price tag
A RUSSIAN Cold War submarine is up for sale – but buyers need deep pockets to cover its £1.5 million price tag.
The Foxtrot-class submarine, capable of holding 22 torpedoes, was decommissioned by the Soviets in 1993.
At 302ft long, the vessel once carried 12 officers, 10 warrant officers and 56 seamen while navigating the oceans.
It could go five days fully submerged in the water but was a bit of a squeeze with a beam of 25ft and draft of 17ft.
The sub could plunge down to almost 1,000ft below sea level and travel at a speed of 4 knots while cruising.
The communist invention, designed in the early 50s, played a big role as part of the Soviet Union’s underwater fleet.
The Russian Navy retired its last Foxtrot-class submarines in 2000.
Sellers on boat merchants Mysubmarines.com also list tourist and research submarines, alongside subsea scooters and subcrafts.
According to its website, “This Soviet era submarine currently requires minor refitting and is ready to deliver”.
It adds: “The model available for sale offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of naval history, providing insight into the life of submariners and the strategic military technology of the 20th century.”
The first Foxtrot class – also known as Project 641 – was commissioned in 1958.
The ships measured 295 feet and were powered by three Kolomna 2D42M diesel units of 2,000 horsepower output and three electric motors.
The Foxtrot class subs played a critical role in the Soviet Navy during the Cold War.
Four USSR Foxtrot-class diesel subs armed with nuclear weapons were deployed with one of them coming very close to launching a nuclear torpedo against US forces.
Washington and Moscow came to the brink of an all-out war when the captain of the Soviet sub mistakenly thought they were under attack.
Once he realised the US ships were actually signalling and not attacking he backed down.
One of the last active service vessels- the Zaporizhia- was captured by Russian forces during the 2014 annexation of Crimea.