RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin has unveiled his Navy's most powerful nuclear submarine - which can easily outgun its American rival.

The Knyaz Vladimir is capable of launching 16 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), which can lay waste to cities up to 5,778 miles away.

5 The Knyaz Vladimir is capable of launching 16 intercontinental nukes Credit: ckb-rubin

5 The US Navy's Ohio-class sub is armed with 24 ICBMs but they can't fly as far Credit: Getty

Although its US counterpart – the Ohio-class sub – is armed with 24 ICBMs, they only have a range of 4,846 miles and can't plunge to the same radar-dodging depths.

Russia's nuclear-powered Borei-A-class sub has the ability to dive to about 400 metres, making it hard to detect by sonar.

Russia now plans to build a total of eight of the super subs by 2025.

Putin is spending DOUBLE the amount on defence that Britain is, Defence Secretary Sir Micheal Fallon has warned.

5 The nuclear-powered sub can dive to about 400 metres Credit: ckb-rubin

5 Russia plans to build a total of eight of the super subs by 2o25 Credit: ckb-rubin

5 Putin is spending DOUBLE the amount on defence than Britain Credit: AFP

And earlier this year the First Sea Lord said the Royal Navy was facing its greatest challenge from Russian subs and warships since the Cold War.

A senior Russian defence industry official said: “The main purpose of the underwater interceptor is to protect groups of ballistic missile carrying submarines, and to battle with enemy submarines.”

Moscow has been steadily building up and modernising its military forces as global tensions threaten to pull Putin into a devastating war with North Korea.

Earlier this week he said: “The ability of our economy to increase military production and services at a given time is one of the most important aspects of military security.

Russian military shows off Ratnik 'Superman' combat suit which allows Putin's soldiers to walk through fire and explosions unharmed

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“To this end, all strategic, and simply large-scale enterprise should be ready, regardless of ownership.

“Our army and navy need to have the very best equipment — better than foreign equivalents. “If we want to win, we have to be better.”

The news comes after it was revealed Russian subs and spy ships were monitored off the coast of Scotland and the US in recent weeks.