Moscow, Sep 30 (IANS/RIA Novosti): Russia's has no plans to scrap its Typhoon class strategic submarines in the near future, a defence ministry official has said.

Several media reports recently said the military had decided to scrap the world's largest nuclear-powered submarines by 2014.

"The defence ministry has not made such a decision. The submarines remain in service with the Navy," the official said Thursday.

The Typhoon class submarines entered service with the Soviet Navy in the 1980s. Three of the six vessels built are still in use.

Also known as the Dmitry Donskoy submarine, it has been modernised as a test platform for Russia's new Bulava ballistic missile and will remain in this capacity for a long time, the official said.

The submarines will be modernised to carry new-generation sea-based cruise missiles to match the US Ohio-class submarines.

The Typhoons will be replaced in the future with the new Borey class strategic submarines, which will be equipped with Bulava missiles.