Military submarines typically operate at depths ranging from about 300 to 1500 meters, depending on their class and design. For example:
- Russia's Akula-class submarines were thought to reach depths of 1200-1300 meters, though the last of this class was decommissioned in 2023
- U.S. Navy Los Angeles-class attack submarines can dive up to 600-700 meters, with a test depth around 250 meters, while Virginia-class subs are believed to operate between 500 and 900 meters
- Ballistic missile submarines like Russia's Borei class can reach about 500 meters, and India's Arihant-class about 300 meters test depth
- Diesel-electric and nuclear subs from other navies, such as Germany's Type 212 and China's Jin-class, typically reach depths around 400 meters
The deepest manned submersibles, like the Deepsea Challenger and the bathyscaphe Trieste, have reached the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench at about 11,000 meters, but these are specialized research vessels, not military submarines
. The operational depth of military submarines is limited by hull strength and pressure resistance. The "test depth" is the maximum safe operating depth, usually a fraction of the "crush depth," where the hull would collapse. Precise depths are often classified, but typical safe operational depths are around 300-600 meters for most modern military subs, with some capable of going deeper under certain conditions
. In summary, military submarines generally dive between 300 and 1500 meters, with the deepest operational depths estimated around 1200-1300 meters for some Russian classes, while most U.S. and other nations' subs operate safely at depths up to about 600-900 meters
