Arktika class
Arktika class is a nuclear-powered icebreaker operated by Rosatomflot, powered by 2 OK-900A of about 171 MWt each. Retired.
The Soviet icebreaker fleet. Arktika became the first surface vessel to reach the North Pole in 1977. Most are now retired, with life extensions granted to the last of them.
| Reactor | OK-900A |
|---|---|
| Reactors per vessel | 2 |
| Thermal output | 171MWt each |
| Fuel enrichment | not disclosed |
| Refuelling | Every 3–4 years |
| Category | icebreaker |
|---|---|
| Role | civil |
| Operator | Rosatomflot |
| Country | Russia |
| Vessels in class | 6 |
| In service from | 1975 |
| Status | Retired |
Other icebreakers
| Class | Enrichment | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Lenin | - | Retired |
| Project 10510 Lider | - | Under construction |
| Project 22220 (LK-60) | HALEU | Operating |
| Taymyr class | HALEU | Operating |
Arktika class in context
It is one of 5 icebreaker programs on record, 2 of them operating and 2 retired, and one of 13 naval reactor programs from the same country.
Each of its reactors is rated about 171 MWt; across the 5 icebreaker programs with a stated rating the median is 171 MWt, and this one ranks 3rd.
With 2 reactors per vessel, the combined thermal rating is about 342 MWt.
It entered service in 1975, 51 years ago; the icebreaker programs on record entered service between 1959 and 2028, and this one is the 2nd earliest of 5.
| Measure | Arktika class | Median of icebreaker programs | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal power per reactor (MWt) | 171 | 171 | 3 of 5 |
| Entered service | 1975 | 1989 | 2 of 5 (earliest first) |
Worked out from the entries on this site only, so a figure compares Arktika class with what is recorded here, not with everything that exists. An entry with no value for a measure is left out of that measure's ranking and median.
Sources
- World Nuclear Association, Nuclear-Powered Ships · retrieved 2026-09-07
How these sources are used, including the corrections applied on top of them and what is deliberately left blank · download the underlying data