Russian submarine K-266

The Orel (K-266) is a Project 949A Antey nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine (SSGN) (NATO codename Oscar II). She is one of three Oscar II submarines still serving in the Russian Northern Fleet, all assigned to the 11th Submarine Division, berthed at Guba Bolshaya Lopatka (part of Zapadnaya Litsa, also known as Zaozersk), on the Kola Peninsula northwest of Severomorsk. She was laid down at the Sevmash Shipyard in Severodvinsk on 19 January 1989. From 1991-1993 she was known as \ "Severodvinsk," but was renamed "Orel" on 20 March 1993 (some sources say 6 April 1993)and entered service with the Russian Navy that same year.

The Russian newspaper "Izvestya" reported that "Orel" is to be overhauled in 2013. She is to have her shaft-line changed to correct problems during construction that left her very easily tracked by sonar. Additionally, her P-700 "Granit" (NATO codename SS-N-19 Shipwreck) antiship submarine launched cruise missiles (SLCM) will be replaced by more modern, supersonic, P-800 Oniks (NATO codename SS-N-26) antiship SLCMs.