Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in the launching ceremony of the fourth-generation nuclear submarine Perm, which became the sixth ship in the series of multi-purpose submarines of the Yasen project. The ceremonial event took place at one of the leading enterprises of the domestic shipbuilding industry, where the head of state emphasized the strategic importance of strengthening the country's naval forces. The new submarine, laid down on July 29, 2016, on the eve of Navy Day, marks another step in the modernization of the Russian fleet and takes it to a new technological level.

A distinctive feature of the Perm is its equipment with hypersonic cruise missiles "Zircon", which makes the cruiser the first regular carrier of this advanced weapon in its class. "Zircon", capable of developing speeds of up to 9 Machs and hitting targets at a distance of over 1000 kilometers, is considered one of the most modern weapons in the Russian arsenal. Experts note that the integration of such missiles significantly increases the combat capabilities of the submarine, allowing it to effectively counter both surface and coastal threats. This event became a demonstration of technological progress and the country's readiness to respond to challenges in the field of global security.

The launching ceremony emphasized the priority attention of the Russian leadership to the development of the Navy. In his speech, Vladimir Putin noted that the construction of modern ships such as the Perm strengthens the state's defense capability and ensures the protection of national interests in the World Ocean. The Yasen project, developed by the Malakhit design bureau, has already proven its effectiveness: previously commissioned submarines of this series, including the lead cruiser Severodvinsk, successfully carry out missions in various regions of the world.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, as of March 2025, the Navy has five submarines of the Yasen project and its modification Yasen-M, and Perm will join this list in the coming years after the completion of tests. As TASS reports, in 2024, Russia accelerated the pace of construction of nuclear submarines, which is due to the need to update the fleet in the context of geopolitical tensions. In particular, Zircon has already successfully passed tests from surface ships and submarines, and its serial production has been launched at enterprises of the defense industry complex.

International analysts see the Perm as a response to NATO's growing presence in the Arctic and Atlantic. According to Reuters, alliance countries are ramping up naval exercises near Russia's borders in 2025, which is pushing Moscow to speed up fleet modernization. Experts also note that hypersonic weapons like the Zircon make it more difficult for potential adversaries' air defense and missile defense systems to intercept them, giving Russia a strategic advantage.