Losharik (AS-12) can be carried under the belly of a much larger Delta III nuclear sub, and is designated for research, rescue and special military operations (speculated to include planting underwater listening devices, removing those of an opponent, sub sea cable tapping and cutting).
A Russian sub reportedly caught fire on Monday but there could be more to the story if by coincidence VP Pence cancels a flight to New Hampshire but it is reported as “turning around in mid-flight to return to DC” as Putin meets with his Defense minister. Then again that’s the intrawebz, helping to escalate and amplify.
Putin certainly wouldn’t want a repeat of the Kursk in terms of domestic politics.
A fire broke out on the vessel on 1 July 2019 whilst it was taking underwater measurements of the sea floor in Russian territorial waters. Fourteen of the crew were killed by inhalation of smoke or toxic fumes.[7][8] The fire, which broke out at around 8.30pm local time, was extinguished by the surviving crew.[8][9] The vessel was later towed to the Russian Northern Fleet base at Severomorsk.[9] The incident was the worst loss of life on a Russian submarine since the 2008 K-152 Nerpa accident which killed 20 men.[8] The commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.[10]
Roblin, Sebastien (2018-08-19). "Russian Spy Submarines Are Tampering with Undersea Cables That Make the Internet Work. Should We Be Worried?"
Other concurrent event.
On Tuesday, NATO kicks off its annual anti-submarine exercise Dynamic Mongoose in the Norwegian Sea west of Andøya, northern Norway.
Six frigates, 10 aircraft and several submarines from Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Poland, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom, as well as host nation Norway, will participate in the drill that will last until July 14.
Among them are ships from NATO’s Standing Maritime Group One (SNMG1), which is sailing north directly after completing the annual Baltic Operations (BALTOPS). The navy group consists of U.S. flagship guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely, British frigate HMS Westminster and Turkish frigate TCG Gokova, NATO said.
While NATO is preparing the anti-submarine warfare exercises, Russia's Northern Fleet submarine Vladikavkaz has sailed out from Polyarny on the Kola Peninsula and is right now en route south toward St. Petersburg where it will take part in the annual naval parade.
www.themoscowtimes.com/...
Comments are closed on this story.