The Akula class is a nuclear powered attack submarine of Soviet origin. The name Akula is the NATO reporting name for what is called the Project 971 Shchuka-B submarine in Russia. The Akula class was developed in the early 1980's in response to the US Los Angeles class and is considered a quantum leap forward in Soviet submarine technology. The Akula class is the follow on to the Victor III and remains the most capable Russian attack submarine until the newer Yasen class is commissioned.

The Akula hull design has been inspired by the Sierra class. The layout is conventional with the armament carried in the bow, the command and crew compartments in the bow and below the conning tower and the propulsion system at the rear. The conning tower has an aerodynamic design and houses an escape pod for all its crewmembers. Noise reduction has been a key element in the design. The floors are suspended within the hull and anechoic tiles cover the external hull. The Akula is reported to be nearly as silent as the original US Los Angeles class. The improved Akula II has a longer hull to house noise cancelling equipment and is regarded slightly quieter than the improved Los Angeles class.

The Akula is fitted with four 650mm and four 533mm torpedo tubes. When using liners 533mm weapons can also be launched from the 650 mm tubes. The torpedo tubes can also be used to launch the SS-N-21 cruise missiles with a range of 3.000 km or the SS-N-15 and SS-N-16 missiles for anti-submarine use at an extended range of up to 100 km. Usually a mix of 12 650mm weapons and 28 533mm weapons is carried. From the improved model onwards there are six externally loaded single shot torpedo 533mm tubes in the uppow bow.

The conning tower houses a variety of periscopes and other sensors. Hull mounted sonar systems are located at the lower bow and front sides. The sonar capabilities have been subsequently upgraded over time with at least three types of sonar installed on various vessels. The large teardrop shaped bulb on the vertical stabilizer is a container for a passive towed array sonar.

The Akula is fitted with a single 190 MW VM-5 pressurized water reactor that powers a single seven blade propeller. The maximum speed is 10 knots when surfaced and 28 knots under water. Two retractable propulsors are fitted for low speed silent maneuvering. The maximum operating depth is 480 m, although there are reports that the Akula II may in theory dive up to 600 m.

The Akula class was produced for the Soviet navy. Of the 20 planned vessels 15 have been delivered and two additional hulls have been used for the Yasen class. All vessels that remained when the USSR collapsed ended up in the Russian navy and a reduced number remains in service. The latest Akula is used by the Russian navy to train Indian crews and may be leased to India in the future.