By José Carlos Palma *
As the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate on both land and in the air, concerns are mounting over a less visible but potentially more perilous threat from Russia to the West. In recent years, Russia has been producing a series of submarines that possess the capability to reach vital targets in the U.S. or mainland Europe. This development has prompted increasing alarm among NATO members, who are now closely monitoring Vladimir Putin’s submarine fleet.
Russia’s submarine fleet is known to be one of the most diverse in the world, boasting a range of vessels with various capabilities. Some of these submarines are even equipped to carry ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads, which the Russian government considers vital to its strategic deterrent.
Russia has long been known for its strategic use of submarines, and the country’s navy continues to invest heavily in these vessels as a means of maintaining its military capabilities and projecting its influence around the world. In recent years, Russia’s submarine strategy has become a particular concern for its neighbors and for the international community as a whole.
One key element of Russia’s submarine strategy is its focus on developing advanced submarine technologies. The country has invested heavily in the development of new submarine models, including the Yasen-class attack submarine and the Borei-class ballistic missile submarine. These vessels are designed to be stealthier, faster, and more maneuverable than their predecessors, making them more difficult to detect and track.
Russia’s submarine strategy also includes a significant emphasis on developing its underwater communications and surveillance capabilities. The country has been working to lay a network of submarine cables across the Arctic Ocean, which will allow it to monitor and control shipping routes and other activity in the region. In addition, Russia has been investing in new sonar technologies and other surveillance tools that will allow its submarines to more effectively track other vessels and conduct intelligence-gathering operations.
Another key element of Russia’s submarine strategy is its focus on using submarines as a means of projecting its influence and power around the world. Russia has been increasingly active in sending its submarines on long-range patrols and showing them off in high-profile displays of military might. These patrols have included deployments to areas such as the Mediterranean and the South China Sea, where they have been used to demonstrate Russia’s naval capabilities and its willingness to assert its interests.
Despite its significant investment in submarine technologies, Russia’s submarine fleet has faced a number of challenges in recent years. The country’s aging submarine fleet has been plagued by maintenance and operational issues, and a number of high-profile accidents and incidents have raised questions about Russia’s ability to effectively operate these vessels. Nevertheless, Russia’s focus on submarines as a key element of its military strategy is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, as the country seeks to maintain its military capabilities and exert its influence on the world stage.
According to experts, if a war were to break out, Russia’s submarine fleet would be utilized as a tool in the country’s escalation management strategy. In this sense, the threat posed by Moscow’s submarines armed with conventional weapons would be instrumental in deterring Western adversaries from leveraging their advantages in other areas.
Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia has been investing in upgrading its submarine fleet. In December, President Putin announced plans to build more nuclear-powered submarines, stating that this initiative “will guarantee Russia’s security for many years to come.”
The Menace Posed to Submarine Cables
NATO members are expressing increasing concerns that Putin may exploit his submarine fleet to target vital underwater cables and critical infrastructure that support global communication systems.
In a bid to protect such “critical underwater infrastructure,” French President Emmanuel Macron has called for his country to acquire the capability to control the seabed to depths of 19,600 feet.
The Russia Maritime Studies Institute (RMSI), which conducts research on Russian military and economic issues related to oceans worldwide, asserts that Moscow sees its economic future, national security, and ability to influence other nations as interconnected with its strength at sea.
Michael Peterson, the director of RMSI, said to Newsweek that potential attacks on critical underwater infrastructure worldwide present a “legitimate and serious threat.” He noted that for at least a decade, Russia has been developing significant seabed warfare capabilities, primarily through its Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research (GUGI). This organization reports to Russia’s defense ministry and recruits Russian naval personnel to serve on its ships and submarines.
According to Michael Peterson, the director of the Russia Maritime Studies Institute, the Russian Navy selects the best sailors for its submarine fleet because of the complex, dangerous and critical nature of their mission.
The Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research, also known as GUGI, which reports to Russia’s defense ministry and draws on Russian naval personnel to deploy with its ships and submarines, has several assets at its disposal, including the Belgorod submarine capable of launching a nuclear-powered torpedo.
Other submarines can also place listening devices or explosives on deep-sea cables. The Directorate has the capability to conduct espionage, escalate activities, or fight a war and impose costs on the adversary, Peterson said.
Peterson pointed out that the consequences of a potential attack by Russia on transatlantic internet cables could be catastrophic. Cutting these cables would not only have serious financial implications but would also severely limit communication between the United States and continental Europe. He emphasized that the Russian capabilities in this area are significant, and such an attack would have far-reaching consequences.
* Expert in international relations, such as foreign policy, international trade, domestic security, international security, developing nations, and domestic security, intelligence, and military.