Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines Amid Rising Tensions with Russia

US President Donald Trump announced on March 15, 2024, that he is ordering the deployment of two nuclear submarines to “appropriate regions.” This decision responds to remarks made by Dmitry Medvedev, a former president of Russia and the current deputy chairman of its Security Council. Trump emphasized the need for preparedness in light of what he described as “foolish and inflammatory statements.”

While the president shared this information via a post on Truth Social, he did not specify the types of submarines being moved or their exact locations. Typically, the Pentagon maintains strict confidentiality regarding submarine movements, making details scarce. The US Navy operates three classes of nuclear-powered submarines, each serving distinct roles.

Overview of the US Submarine Fleet

The US Navy’s submarine fleet is diverse, featuring platforms designed for various strategic missions. The primary types include ballistic-missile submarines, guided-missile submarines, and fast-attack submarines.

Ballistic-missile submarines form the backbone of the US nuclear deterrent strategy. The Navy operates 14 Ohio-class submarines, commonly referred to as “boomers.” Each of these submarines can carry 20 Trident ballistic missiles, each armed with multiple nuclear warheads. With a range of up to 4,600 miles (7,400 kilometers), these submarines can strike targets from significant distances without needing to approach adversarial shores. The Ohio-class submarines measure 560 feet (170 meters) in length, displacing nearly 19,000 tons when submerged and crewed by 159 personnel. They can achieve speeds of 23 miles per hour.

In the 1990s, the Pentagon reconfigured some Ohio-class submarines into guided-missile submarines (SSGNs), reducing the number of ballistic-missile submarines needed. Four Ohio-class vessels were converted for this role, maintaining similar specifications while carrying Tomahawk cruise missiles instead of Trident missiles. Each SSGN can carry 154 Tomahawk missiles, which have a range of approximately 1,000 miles and a high-explosive warhead weighing up to 1,000 pounds. These submarines can also deploy troops covertly from lockout chambers designed for this purpose. While their movements are also classified, the Navy occasionally indicates their presence in strategic locations as a form of deterrence.

Fast-Attack Submarines and Their Role

The largest segment of the US submarine fleet consists of fast-attack submarines. These submarines are primarily tasked with hunting and destroying enemy vessels, including submarines and surface ships. They can also launch strikes against land targets using Tomahawk missiles, albeit in smaller numbers compared to 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 vessels range in length from 377 to 461 feet, displace up to 10,200 tons, and carry a crew of 145. The Los Angeles class, the oldest of the fast-attack submarines, still has 23 vessels in service, measuring 360 feet long and displacing 6,900 tons with a crew of 143.

The Seawolf class is the smallest and most specialized in the fleet. It includes three submarines: the USS Seawolf and USS Connecticut, each measuring 353 feet and displacing 9,100 tons, focusing on standard attack capabilities with torpedoes and cruise missiles. The third, the USS Jimmy Carter, features a hull extended by 100 feet to accommodate advanced technologies for classified missions and enhanced warfighting capabilities.

As tensions continue between the US and Russia, the movement of these submarines underscores a strategic posture intended to safeguard national interests. The Navy’s capabilities reflect a commitment to maintaining a robust defense and deterrence strategy in an increasingly complex global landscape.