MOSCOW – The world’s two biggest naval powers, Russia and the UnitedStates, have almost simultaneously upgraded their submarine forces,Sputnik has reported.
Three Borei-classlink>nuclearsubmarines have been delivered to the Russian Navy which is currentlyin the process of launching a new class of ballistic missile submarines,forming the basis of the country’s naval strategic nuclear deterrence.
In a radio interview on Saturday, Russia’s naval commander, AdmiralVladimir Korolyov, said that the new arrivals were the Yuri Dolgoruky,Alexander Nevsky and Vladimir Monomakh missile-carrying submarines.
“We currently maintain two submarine groups in the Northern and PacificFleets, and the Borei-class fourth-generation nuclear-powered underwatercruisers will become part of these groups,” Korolyov told Echo Moskvy Radio.
The admiral added that in addition to their main goal of defending thenation, the nuclear submarines were seen as a factor in Russia’s claimto its continental shelf in the Arctic.
In an almost parallel development, the US Navy’s newest attack submarine,the USS Colorado, joined the fleet on Saturday in a ceremony at a navalsubmarine base in New London, Connecticut.
The 377-foot-long and 33-foot wide Virginia-class sub displaces about 7,800tons and boasts a speed of up to 34 knots (28.7 miles an hour) whilesubmerged.
The 15th member of the Virginia class of submarines, the Colorado can fightsubmarines and surface ships, conduct surveillance and can deliver specialoperations troops and engage in mine sweeping operations.
Virginia-class submarines have four tubes and carry 26 torpedoes each.
They are manned by crews of between 100 and 120 sailors.