Which class is generally recognized as the largest submarines ever built?

The Typhoon class is generally recognized as the largest submarines ever built.

The Soviet Union developed these ballistic-missile submarines in the 1970s, and NATO identified the design as the Typhoon class. In Soviet terminology, the boats were Project 941 Akula, with Akula meaning “shark”; this can create confusion because NATO also used Akula for a different attack-submarine class.

Typhoon submarines used a distinctive multi-hull arrangement. Two large pressure hulls sat side by side inside a broad outer hull, with additional pressure hulls and machinery spaces between them. This layout gave the boats exceptional internal volume and helped accommodate their missiles and crew facilities.

The class was designed for the Soviet naval strategic deterrent. Six were built, although only a small number remained active for long periods after the Soviet Union dissolved. The lead boat, Dmitriy Donskoy, was launched in 1980.