(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — A Russian nuclear submarine along with three warships is set to visit Havana, the capital of Cuba, located near the U.S. border.
The upcoming “friendship” visit by four Russian warships next week marks the largest deployment of Russian naval forces to the Central American nation in decades.
Russia, and previously the Soviet Union, has maintained a close relationship with Cuba for many years, and this visit reinforces the diplomatic and military ties between Moscow and Havana.
According to the Cuban government, the Russian naval contingent includes the frigate “Admiral Gorshkov,” the Yasen-class nuclear submarine “Kazan,” the fuel supply ship “Pashin,” and the rescue tug boat “Chiker.”
The Yasen-class submarine “Kazan,” commissioned in 2021 and known for its super-quiet capabilities, was launched at the Sevmash Shipyard in Severodvinsk after its construction began in 2009 and completed in 2017.
Since 2017, this latest Russian submarine has been undergoing sea trials until its commissioning in 2021.
The primary armament of the “Kazan” submarine includes “Kalibr” cruise missiles.
While Russia has not disclosed the exact number of “Kalibr” missiles the Yasen-class submarines, including “Kazan,” will carry, the first of its class, “Severodvinsk,” is equipped with 40 “Kalibr” missiles.
Additionally, the “Kazan” is also armed with other guided missiles such as “Oniks” and the hypersonic “Tsirkon” missiles.
The Cuban government has clarified that these Russian warships will be stationed near the U.S. border from June 12 to June 17, and none of the warships will carry nuclear weapons.
“These Russian vessels will pose no threat to the region,” the Cuban government stated in a release.
Upon arrival at the Port of Havana, one of the Russian warships will fire 21 gun salutes as a tribute to Cuba.
This salute will be reciprocated with cannon fire by the Cuban military forces, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Central American country.
This announcement from the Cuban government comes just a day after senior U.S. officials stated they are monitoring the movements of Russian warships and combat aircraft heading towards the Caribbean for military exercises.
According to these U.S. officials, Russia’s military exercises in Caribbean waters are part of Moscow’s retaliatory measures against Washington’s support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict.
The U.S. Department of Defense and the State Department have indicated that Russia will increase its military activities near America this summer as part of their maneuvers.
“Russia is expected to deploy its warships to the Caribbean, possibly making stops in Cuba and Venezuela,” a U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson acknowledged, while also stating that these maneuvers do not pose a threat to Washington.
The presence of Russian warships in Cuba coincides with President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that Russia will undertake asymmetrical measures globally in response to the United States’ decision to allow Ukraine to use supplied weaponry to engage Russia.
Although the presence of Russian warships in Cuba is recognized as a development, U.S. officials have stated that it does not concern them from a security standpoint.
The visit of Russian warships to Cuba is not unprecedented, as in July last year, the Russian Navy training ship “Perekop” sailed to Havana for a four-day visit.
During the peak of Cold War tensions in 1962, the Soviet Union had sent its warships carrying nuclear weapons to Cuba, sparking the “Cuban Missile Crisis” and nearly plunging the world into World War III. — DSA