VLADIMIR Putin has added two more nuke submarines to Russia's growing arsenal with missiles capable of wiping out US cities.

       The Russian president issued orders for two nuclear subs armed with intercontinental ballistic missiles on Monday in a bid to arm the country with "state-of-the-art weapons" and build a "powerful navy".

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       Putin unveiled the Kazan submarine earlier this year Credit: Sevmash 5

       Vladimir Putin wants to arm Russia with 'state-of-the-art weapons' Credit: AP 5

       The Borei is capable of launching 20 intercontinental nuclear missiles Credit: East2west News

       Speaking in a video call, Putin gave orders for the subs, two diesel-powered submarines and two corvettes to be built at shipyards in Severodvinsk, St Petersburg and Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

       "We will continue to boost the potential of the Russian navy, develop its bases and infrastructure, arm it with state-of-the-art weapons," Putin said.

       "A strong and sovereign Russia needs a powerful and well-balanced navy.

       "I would like to stress that all the ships will be equipped with modern high-precision weapons, the latest navigation and communications equipment."

       The new subs, named Dmitry Donskoy and Prince Potemkin, will be armed with missiles with a minimum range of 3,400 miles - meaning American cities can be targeted in the event of a nuclear conflict.

       Putin's new weapons were announced as part Russia's Army 2021 show to boast Russia's military might and attract foreign customers for Russia's arms industries.

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       The week-long show features aircraft, tanks, missiles and other weapons.

       "Many of our weapons have the capabilities that have no analogues in the world, and some will remain unrivalled for a long time," Putin said.

       The Kremlin has ramped up its military modernisation as relations with the West have plunged to post-Cold War lows after Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea.

       Putin is planning to boost his army by 60,000 troops over the next four years in a bid to scare the West and extend his power.

       Moscow has established a regular naval presence in parts of the world that the Soviet Union had during the Cold War.

       We will continue to boost the potential of the Russian navy, develop its bases and infrastructure, arm it with state-of-the-art weapons.

       Vladimir Putin

       The Russian navy already has a major presence in the Mediterranean Sea, with a naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus.

       And it has expanded and modified the Tartus base - the only such facility that Russia currently has outside the former Soviet Union.

       "We will continue to show the Russian flag in strategically important ocean areas," Putin said.

       Earlier this year, Putin unveiled the state-of-the-art Kazan submarine - the second Yasen-M vessel equipped with nuclear-capable Kalibr and Oniks cruise missiles.

       'WORLDWIDE THREAT'

       US intelligence chief Scott Berrier classed the Kazan, which was handed over to the Russian Navy on May 7, as a worldwide threat to America when talking to the Senate armed services committee.

       Yasen-M submarines are designated to carry Russia’s new Tskirkon - or Zircon - hypersonic missile.

       Putin hailed the Mach 8 Zircon as "truly unparalleled" - and it has been described as his missile of choice to target America cities in the event of a conflict.

       And last week, Putin's spy ship armed with stealth subs was spotted lurking over UK internet cables, sparking fears they could be cut.

       The Yantar was caught loitering above major undersea cables off the Irish coastline.

       The vessel was above at least one commercial sub-sea cable and was seen zig-zagging through seas north of Mayo and Donegal in an apparent search for more.

       Ireland's Defence Force and NATO are on alert and monitoring the situation, according to The Times.

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       The Borei-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Credit: Getty 5

       Moscow has established a regular naval presence in parts of the world that the Soviet Union had during the Cold War Credit: Reuters

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