Akula is Russian for shark, it is also the name given to the most modern and deadliest Soviet attack submarine. The Akula is a nuclear boat and is almost as quiet as the USNs 688, however it lacks the sophistication of weapons systems. The Akula, as with many Russian submarines has a distinctive tear-drop shaped conning tower. With the forward dive planes on the bow. When surfaced, the towed sonar array is visible at the top of the vertical stabilizer, it is a hydrodynamic pod similar to the fuel tanks at the end of an aircraft's wing.
The Russian Navy still operates the Akula class boats and, as of yet, has not sold any to other countries. However, Russian-built Kilo class diesel-electric submarines are a popular export item.