Russian nuclear subs ‘quietly reached US coast & left undetected’ – report
A file picture taken in Brest harbor, western France, on September 21, 2004,
shows the Russian nuclear submarine of Shchuka-B type / FRED TANNEAU / AFP
Russian nuclear-powered submarines have reportedly pulled off an exercise near American military bases. They avoided detection as they approached the US coast, Russian military TV said, citing an officer from one of the subs.
The stunning revelation was made in a military TV series set to air on Zvezda (‘Star’), the Russian Defense Ministry’s official broadcaster. The episode focuses on Akula-class Shchuka-B nuclear-powered attack submarines.
According to a submarine officer filmed in the show, the Navy command ordered to take position in the vicinity of US military bases during exercises.
“This mission has been accomplished, the submarines showed up in the set location in the ocean and returned to base,” the commander of the submarine squadron, Sergey Starshinov, told Zvezda.
The date and location of the covert mission have not been disclosed, but the channel said the Russian nuclear-powered submarines “reached the very coastline of the US.”
Shchuka-B submarine has been commissioned for the Soviet Navy in 1986. The nuclear-powered sub is capable of launching Kalibr or Granat cruise missiles, engaging underwater targets with its 553mm torpedoes, and staying submerged for up to 100 days, according to open sources.
As with many Russian nuclear submarines, the information of their status as well as current and past deployments is sparse. It is understood that several submarines of this class are being operated by the Russian Navy or undergoing modernization. One Shchuka-B submarine was leased to India, where it entered service under the name INS ‘Chakra’.
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