Trump Orders Nuclear Submarines to Strategic Locations Amid Tensions

On March 15, 2024, US President Donald Trump announced the deployment of two US Navy nuclear submarines to “appropriate regions” in response to recent comments made by Dmitry Medvedev, the former president of Russia and current deputy chairman of its Security Council. In a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized the need for preparedness, stating that he had ordered the submarines to be positioned strategically in light of what he described as “foolish and inflammatory statements.” The specifics of the submarines’ types and their exact locations were not disclosed, as the Pentagon typically maintains secrecy regarding submarine movements.

Understanding the US Submarine Fleet

The US Navy operates a diverse fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, categorized mainly into three types: ballistic-missile submarines, guided-missile submarines, and fast-attack submarines. Each category serves distinct strategic roles in national defense.

Ballistic-missile submarines are often referred to as “boomers.” The Navy currently has 14 Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs). These submarines are specifically designed for stealth and the precise delivery of nuclear warheads. Each vessel can carry up to 20 Trident ballistic missiles, each equipped with multiple nuclear warheads. The Trident missiles boast a range of approximately 4,600 miles (7,400 kilometers), allowing them to strike targets without needing to approach closer to adversarial shores. This capability positions them as formidable deterrents, expected to survive an initial enemy strike.

Measuring 560 feet (170 meters) in length and displacing nearly 19,000 tons when submerged, Ohio-class submarines operate with a crew of 159 and can reach speeds of 23 miles per hour.

Guided-Missile and Fast-Attack Submarines

In the 1990s, the Pentagon restructured part of the Ohio-class fleet, converting four submarines into guided-missile submarines (SSGNs). Retaining similar specifications to their SSBN counterparts, these submarines are armed with a substantial number of Tomahawk cruise missiles, with each SSGN capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk missiles, each with a warhead weighing up to 1,000 pounds and a range of about 1,000 miles. The SSGNs can also deploy troops covertly using lockout chambers in former ballistic-missile tubes. While their movements remain classified, SSGNs have been positioned in key military areas to showcase US deterrent capabilities.

The bulk of the US Navy’s submarine fleet consists of fast-attack submarines, which are primarily designed to hunt and destroy enemy vessels, including submarines and surface ships, using torpedoes. They are also equipped to strike land-based targets with Tomahawk missiles, albeit in smaller numbers than SSGNs. Fast-attack submarines come in three classes: Virginia, Los Angeles, and Seawolf.

The Virginia class is the newest, with 23 submarines commissioned as of July 1, 2023. These submarines range in length from 377 to 461 feet, displace up to 10,200 tons, and operate with a crew of 145. The Los Angeles class, the oldest in service, includes 23 submarines, each measuring 360 feet and displacing 6,900 tons. Meanwhile, the Seawolf class features the USS Seawolf and USS Connecticut, each measuring 353 feet and displacing 9,100 tons. The third Seawolf submarine, the USS Jimmy Carter, is unique due to its extended hull, providing enhanced capabilities for classified research and advanced warfare.

As tensions continue to rise, the strategic positioning of US Navy submarines remains a critical component of national security. The recent deployment order by President Trump underscores the ongoing geopolitical challenges and the importance of maintaining a robust military presence in response to international provocations.