Silent Russian Submarines Threaten NATO’s Northern Flank, Former Commander Warns
A former NATO Commander expressed concern over the expansion of Russian military infrastructure and the growing naval defence capabilities of its new nuclear-powered submarines, which are difficult to track and target in the Arctic and North Atlantic sea routes leading up to North America.
Russia is also working hard to strengthen its maritime presence across the Northern Sea Route by militarising the Kola Peninsula with ports and airfields, while expanding its presence in the Greenland-Iceland-UK Gap, commonly referred to as the GIUK Gap.
The development poses a greater challenge for NATO members, since submarines are among the most difficult to track and counter, given their stealth capabilities. They could come dangerously close to a port, harbour or offshore infrastructure and remain undetected until the last minute, which makes them dangerous.
Submarines can fire ballistic missiles and cruise missiles with precision. Some of Russia’s new-generation subs include its SSGNs, which can strike targets thousands of miles away and easily dodge attacks.
The Yasen-M class submarines also pose a serious threat since they are fitted with advanced sonar, which lowers its accoutic signature, making them impossible to detect. It weighs 13,800 tonnes and can carry cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, and anti-ship missiles with a range of a thousand miles.
Countries like China and Russia are investing heavily in submarine fleets and equally in advanced weapons which these subs carry to expand their areas of influence.
As the sea ice is melting due to global warming, and the Northern Sea Route in the Polar region is opening to maritime trade for longer periods of time, nations see opportunities to cut the transit times from Europe to Asia.
Meanwhile, Russia sees it as an opportunity to establish its dominance in the region using its advanced submarine fleet and icebreakers. It is rapidly establishing military outposts, conducting patrols and building military infrastructure in the region, posing a danger to NATO forces.
A similar sentiment was expressed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Alexander Moiseyev, who said that the Yasen submarines can accomplish all their goals in any part of the world while remaining undetected and invisible to every radar.
Russian vessels move through the GIUK Gap into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, adding that 7 other countries in the Arctic, including the U.S are worried about recent Russian naval manoeuvres.
In February this year, NATO launched a military initiative called the Arctic Sentry, which is being led by the Joint Force Command Norfolk to coordinate air, water and land activities across the High North and the Arctic regions.
NATO also tightened security close to its northern border by forming a multinational force which is overseen by Sweden to boost deterrence and defence along the northeastern borders.
These moves have been met with criticism from Russia, with its Foreign Minister saying that heightened Western military buildup in the Arctic could destabilise the region.
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