NATO is hunting Russian Submarines
Several Maritime Patrol Aircraft are hunting at least one Russian Navy Oscar II Class submarine that is chasing NATO aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean Sea
Dan Arkin
| 15/12/2016
According to The Aviationist, several MPA aircraft, including US Navy P-8 Poseidon jets, are looking for one, possibly two, Russian Navy submarines operating in the vicinity of a group of warships of the NATO Maritime Group. Among the NATO vessels in proximity of the Oscar II there is also the French Charles De Gaulle nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the USS Eisenhower.
The Russian Navy submarine is reportedly an Oscar II Class – a “carrier killer” sub – designed with the primary mission of countering aircraft carrier battle groups. The Oscar II class nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine (SSGN) is equipped with long-range SS-N-19 “Shipwreck” ASCMs (anti-ship cruise missiles).
Although heavily defended, large flattops are vulnerable to submarines and can’t be considered immune from receiving battle damage or being limited in their fighting ability by a modern sub operating nearby: nuclear or diesel-powered subs have proved to be able to slip in the middle of the multi-billion-dollar aircraft carrier’s defensive screen, while avoiding detection by ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) aircraft, and pretend-sinking US (or allied) carriers and most of their escort vessels.
In 2016 Russia has started a multiyear plan to modernize all its Project 949A Oscar II-class subs, which includes replacing the 24 SS-N-19 missiles with up to 72 newer 3M55 Oniks (SS-N-26 ‘Strobile’) or 3M54 Klub (SS-N-27 ‘Sizzler’) anti-ship missiles.
Several Maritime Patrol Aircraft are hunting at least one Russian Navy Oscar II Class submarine that is chasing NATO aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean Sea
According to The Aviationist, several MPA aircraft, including US Navy P-8 Poseidon jets, are looking for one, possibly two, Russian Navy submarines operating in the vicinity of a group of warships of the NATO Maritime Group. Among the NATO vessels in proximity of the Oscar II there is also the French Charles De Gaulle nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the USS Eisenhower.
The Russian Navy submarine is reportedly an Oscar II Class – a “carrier killer” sub – designed with the primary mission of countering aircraft carrier battle groups. The Oscar II class nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine (SSGN) is equipped with long-range SS-N-19 “Shipwreck” ASCMs (anti-ship cruise missiles).
Although heavily defended, large flattops are vulnerable to submarines and can’t be considered immune from receiving battle damage or being limited in their fighting ability by a modern sub operating nearby: nuclear or diesel-powered subs have proved to be able to slip in the middle of the multi-billion-dollar aircraft carrier’s defensive screen, while avoiding detection by ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) aircraft, and pretend-sinking US (or allied) carriers and most of their escort vessels.
In 2016 Russia has started a multiyear plan to modernize all its Project 949A Oscar II-class subs, which includes replacing the 24 SS-N-19 missiles with up to 72 newer 3M55 Oniks (SS-N-26 ‘Strobile’) or 3M54 Klub (SS-N-27 ‘Sizzler’) anti-ship missiles.
