Project 1231

The idea of building Project 1231 is said to have originated with the Soviet premier, Nikita Khrushchev, who during a visit to a naval base in Balaklava saw submarines and missile boats next to each other.

He conceived of an entire fleet able to submerge and thus ensure secrecy in the event of nuclear war.

The designers convinced Khrushchev that the construction of a practical aircraft with the surface and sub-surface characteristics he required was impossible.

The intended tactical employment was to approach the enemy underwater, fire a volley of torpedoes, surface and make a fast getaway.

[1] Development of diving boats resumed at the end of the 1950s in the form of Project 662, which was rejected because of the low surface speed of 32 knots.