New Russian submarines and cruise missiles pose a “serious problem” for the United States, US Air Force Lieutenant General Glen VanHerck said, EDNews.net reports citing Bulgarian Military News.
On Tuesday, the US Senate Armed Services Committee is discussing Van Hurk’s candidacy for the position of Commander of the US Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which is responsible for the country’s territory in North America.
“Over the past 30 years, our rivals and potential adversaries have watched how the United States carries out containment, how we compete, how we behave during conflicts. Russia is developing strategic capabilities such as submarines, which are now a serious problem to track,” VanHerck said at a Senate hearing.
He added that modern submarines enable Russian cruise missiles to threaten US territory, and this is also a “serious problem.”
According to him, China is following the same development path and its armed forces can increasingly act as expeditionary forces, that is, far from their territory.
On April 19 this year the National Interest magazine reminded the words of Rear Admiral of the American Navy Dave Johnson, who was so impressed by Severodvinsk, the lead ship of the project, that he ordered his model for his office, “so as not to forget what the Navy will have to deal with.”
One of the advantages of “Ash” submarines is stealth. So, in 2018, when the Russian submarine sailed in the Atlantic Ocean, the US military could not find it for several weeks. The whole thing, NI explains, is in a case made of low-magnetic steel, which significantly reduces the magnetic signature of the submarine.
“In peacetime, losing a Russian submarine is a headache. During a conflict, losing a track of a submarine is a mortal danger,” the author concluded.
On June 27 the commander of the US Navy in Europe and Africa, James Foggo said that Russia is turning the Eastern Mediterranean into one of the most militarized zones in the world thanks to the presence of submarines.
“The Russians are deploying quiet, modern diesel submarines armed with Caliber,” Foggo quotes Stars and Stripes. He noted that Russian submarines are capable of moving in different parts in European waters and can hit missiles in any capital of Europe or Africa.
Thus, according to him, the military needs to be especially careful. In addition, he warned of the possibility of Russian forces strengthening their positions in Libya. “Now think about what Russia is doing in the Crimea and Tartus and what kind of threat they can pose by acquiring a stronghold in Libya,” Foggo added.
All these statements would be only theoretical. But, only a few days ago [July 19 – ed.], the British navy lost a Russian submarine under the English Channel. So, as we reported same day the alliance lost the Russian submarine Krasnodar off the coast of England in the English Channel.
The British military missed a Russian Varshavyanka-class submarine in the English Channel. According to Forbes magazine, the location of the Krasnodar submarine is unknown. “The Russian submarine was heading towards St. Petersburg,” the message says.
The submarine entered the English Channel and reached the westernmost point of Great Britain – Cape Lands End in Cornwall. Since then, the sub’s coordinates are unclear.
“Krasnodar” already crossed the English Channel in May 2017, then the submarine was accompanied by ships of the British Royal Navy.
In addition, Krasnodar took part in the marine phase of the Russian military campaign in Syria. From the underwater position, the submarine launched cruise missiles at terrorist targets.
