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Trump Orders Nuclear Submarines Deployed Amid Tensions with Russia

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US President Donald Trump announced on Friday his decision to order two nuclear submarines from the US Navy to be positioned in “appropriate regions.” This deployment follows remarks made by Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and current deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, which Trump described as “foolish and inflammatory.” In a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized the need for preparedness, indicating that the movements were precautionary.

The specifics regarding the type of submarines being deployed and their exact locations remain undisclosed. The Pentagon typically maintains a policy of limited transparency concerning the movements of its submarines. The US Navy operates three classes of nuclear-powered submarines, each serving distinct roles within the fleet.

Overview of the US Submarine Fleet

Ballistic-missile submarines form a critical component of the US Navy’s strategic deterrent capabilities. The Navy currently has 14 Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs), often referred to as “boomers.” These submarines are designed specifically for stealth and the delivery of nuclear warheads. Each Ohio-class submarine can carry up to 20 Trident ballistic missiles, which have a range of approximately 4,600 miles (7,400 kilometers). This range allows them to strike targets in Russia from various oceans, including the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, or Arctic.

At 560 feet (170 meters) in length and displacing nearly 19,000 tons when submerged, Ohio-class submarines are equipped with a crew of 159 members and can reach speeds of 23 miles per hour. Their capabilities make them a robust deterrent against potential adversaries, as they are designed to survive an initial strike.

The Navy has adapted some of its Ohio-class submarines to serve in different roles. In the 1990s, four SSBNs were converted into guided-missile submarines (SSGNs). These submarines retain similar specifications but are armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles instead of Trident missiles. Each SSGN can carry 154 Tomahawk missiles, which have a range of about 1,000 miles and a high-explosive warhead weighing up to 1,000 pounds. These vessels also have the capability to covertly deploy troops from lockout chambers in former ballistic-missile tubes.

The movements of SSGNs are similarly classified, although the Navy has occasionally acknowledged their presence in military hotspots to convey a message of deterrence.

Fast-Attack Submarines

The backbone of the US Navy’s submarine fleet consists of fast-attack submarines, designed for anti-submarine warfare and striking surface ships with torpedoes. These submarines also have the capability to hit land-based targets using Tomahawk missiles, though they carry fewer of these missiles compared to SSGNs.

There are three main classes of fast-attack submarines: the Virginia, Los Angeles, and Seawolf classes. The Virginia class is the newest addition to the fleet, with 23 submarines commissioned as of July 1, 2023. They range from 377 to 461 feet in length, displace up to 10,200 tons, and have a crew of 145.

The Los Angeles class submarines are the oldest in active service, with 23 still operational. Each is 360 feet long and displaces 6,900 tons, carrying a crew of 143. The Seawolf class is the smallest in the fleet, with two submarines, the USS Seawolf and USS Connecticut, measuring 353 feet and displacing 9,100 tons. The third submarine in this class, the USS Jimmy Carter, features an extended hull, providing additional capacity for advanced technology and classified operations.

With these deployments and the capabilities of its submarine fleet, the US intends to reinforce its strategic posture in response to evolving global threats.

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