Russia expands Pacific submarine fleet with quieter, better armed vessels

Russian submarines are operating in the Pacific at levels not seen in decades. For the first time since the Cold War, the Russian Pacific Fleet is getting submarines that are quieter, better armed and have greater range.

According to a study titled "Russia's Asian Rebalance" by Australia's Lowy Institute for International Policy, Russia's pivot to Asia is resulting in a large-scale revamp of its Pacific fleet, which over the next decade will go from its smallest to its biggest naval asset.

"New hunter-killer and ballistic missile submarines have been earmarked for the fleet, which will provide significant heft to Moscow's power projection aspirations," the study says. "Russia will be operating its new Borei-class SSBNs from its newly upgraded Pacific base on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Its six new Yasen-class guided missile submarines are expected to begin entering service in 2017, and it is upgrading its existing Akula, Oscar and Sierra platforms."

According to Russian military analyst Dmitry Gorenburg, "The Pacific Fleet is likely to become Russia's largest fleet over the next decade in recognition of the region's increasing geopolitical importance and the concentration of naval powers in the region."...
 [upi.com]
22/7/16