US Admiral warns of the dangers of Russian submarines in the Mediterranean

By Boyko Nikolov On Jun 27, 2020

WASHINGTON, (BM) – Russia is turning the Eastern Mediterranean into one of the most militarized zones in the world thanks to the presence of submarines. This opinion was shared by the commander of the US Navy in Europe and Africa, James Foggo, learned BulgarianMilitary.com.

“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.

A few days ago it became known that the Admiral Makarov frigate of the Black Sea Fleet, equipped with Caliber cruise missiles, would strengthen the Navy’s group in the Mediterranean.

In April, the American magazine The National Interest rated the quiet and almost elusive Russian submarine Severodvinsk of the Ash class. Journalists then remembered that several years ago, the US Navy lost the Russian submarine Severodvinsk in the Atlantic Ocean.

Russian submarine armed with Kalibr cruise missiles headed for Syria

As we reported on June 24 a heavily-armed Russian submarine was monitored on Tuesday, transiting the Bosphorus Strait for the eastern Mediterranean.

According to maritime observer Yoruk Isik, the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet 4th Independent Submarine Brigade’s Project 636.3Kilo+ class submarine Rostov-na-Donu Б237 has entered Mediterranean waters, armed with Kalibr cruise missiles.

While the destination for the Russian submarine is still unknown, it is likely to deploy to the coast of either Syria or Libya. Typically, when these heavily-armed submarines head to Syria, they often carry out attacks against enemy forces.

With reports of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) gearing up for a new offensive in the Idlib Governorate, it would make sense for the Russian Navy to prepare its cruise missiles for combat support to the SAA. Over the last month, the Russian Ministry of Defense’s cargo ships have been observed heading to Syria to deliver military equipment like armored vehicles.

While there is supposed to be a ceasefire in northwestern Syria, last night’s missile attack by the jihadist rebels on the Hmeimim Airbase will only push the Russian Armed Forces closer to a big military campaign in the Idlib Governorate.

Russia has tested Kalibr cruise missiles against terrorist groups in Syria

BulgarianMilitary.com recalls that on June 16 the Russian Kalibr cruise missiles have been repeatedly used in Syria to target terrorist groups like the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) and Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) in several parts of the cuntry.

According to the magazine “Natsionalniya Oporna” [National Defense], the targets of the Russian 3M -14 cruise missiles launched from the Caspian Sea on October 7, 2015, were factories for the production of shells and explosive devices, command centers, ammunition and fuel depots, as well as a terrorist training base In the governorates of Raqqa, Idlib and Aleppo.

The US Navy cannot track Russian submarines.

The American National Interest magazine appreciated the Russian submarines of the Ash project and the stealth of these submarines, because of which the United States lost their mark in the past.

The 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.

Submarines of the Ash project are a series of fourth-generation domestic multi-purpose submarines. The lead ship of the project – the nuclear submarine Severodvinsk – entered the fleet in 2014.

This fall, the Kazan submarine, designed under the modernized Yasen-M project, is also expected to be adopted. As part of this series, the domestic fleet should also receive the submarines Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Arkhangelsk, Perm, Ulyanovsk and two more ships.

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