(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Russia has significantly increased the frequency of its submarine “presence” in the Atlantic compared to previous years, according to analysis by senior US military officials responsible for operations in Europe.
Analysts claim that Russia has deployed 11 of its nuclear-powered submarines to patrol the Atlantic Ocean.
This analysis by senior US military officials contradicts the opinions and conclusions of analysts and observers who have stated that Russia’s military capabilities have been severely affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
“Russia’s military is becoming more active than what we’ve seen in recent years,” said General Chris Cavoli, a senior NATO and US official responsible for operations in Europe regarding Moscow’s underwater capabilities.
The patrols by Russian submarines in the Atlantic are at an all-time high, far exceeding previous years, reminiscent of the peak tensions between the two sides during the Cold War decades ago.
“All of this is happening as they (Russia) are involved in the conflict in Ukraine,” he said.
General Cavoli’s analysis provides the clearest warning to the United States and its allies about the threat posed by Russia to Washington and Western countries supporting Ukraine.
A few months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin raised concerns among Western countries when he deployed surface warships, including some equipped with hypersonic guided missiles, to the Atlantic Ocean.
These Russian hypersonic missiles have the capability to overcome United States air defense systems.
Previously, US media outlets quoted senior US Navy officials expressing their “concerns” about the increased “presence” of Russian nuclear-powered submarines in the coastal waters of the country in recent times.
According to them, Russian submarines have been increasingly “emerging” in these areas lately.
As reported, the increased frequency of appearances of Russian nuclear-powered submarines along the shores of the United States, as stated by senior military officials of the country, poses a security threat to the nation.
According to US military officials, the increased frequency of “appearances” of Russian nuclear-powered submarines along the shores of the country has occurred, even as Moscow is embroiled in conflict with Ukraine.
Michael Peterson, Director of the Russia Maritime Studies Institute (RMSI) and an expert on Russian maritime capabilities, stated that there are many indications that Russia has escalated the deployment of its nuclear-powered submarines to the coastal waters of the United States.
The deployment of both conventional and nuclear-powered submarines is not only targeted at coastal areas of the United States but also in the Mediterranean and around Europe.
What Moscow is currently doing, according to the researcher, is akin to what the Soviet Union did during the height of the Cold War tensions.
In recent years, Moscow has developed several types of nuclear-powered submarines capable of diving into strategic locations in the United States and Europe.
With an estimated possession of 58 nuclear-powered submarines comprising various classes, these Russian nuclear-powered underwater assets can be deployed to any location worldwide, including coastal waters of America. – DSA