The increased presence of NATO aircraft is intended to send a clear message to Moscow, suggested former Royal Navy submarine captain Ryan Ramsay.
The US Navy and the Royal Air Force (RAF) have been conducting submarine patrols to search for one of Russia’s highly capable underwater cruisers. According to multiple media reports, the RAF made at least eight P-8A Poseidon flights from its Lossiemouth air base in Scotland. At the same time, the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) has carried out additional sorties from its Evenes Air Base near Narvik within the Arctic Circle.
The US Navy has also launched patrols from Iceland, while two additional anti-submarine warfare (ASW) P-8 aircraft were redeployed from Sicily to hunt the Russian submarine.
The Hunt for the Russian Submarine
The surge of activity, which began on Sunday and is reportedly not part of a drill, started as the US Navy deployed the nuclear-powered supercarrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) to the region earlier this month. It participated in training exercises with the Norwegian Navy in the North Sea, but is now engaged in efforts to hunt the suspected Russian submarine.
The Sun tabloid first reported the increase in activity in the region, suspecting that one of the Kremlin’s submarines may have been operating near the carrier.
According to a report from The Barents Observer, three of the Russian Navy’s Project 885/885M Yasen-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarines (SSGNs) had departed from their home port at the Nerpicha Naval Base in Zapadnaya Litsa. The boats include the Severodvinsk (K-560), Kazan (K-561), and Arkhangelsk (K-564), each of which is noted for being extremely quiet and armed with torpedoes and cruise missiles. It is unclear whether any of the submarines may be operating in the region.
However, there is also speculation that a Project 971 Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine could also be “lurking below the surface off Norway,” The Aviationist reported.
The increased presence of NATO aircraft is intended to send a clear message to Moscow, suggested former Royal Navy submarine captain Ryan Ramsay.
“This is NATO showing they are in control,” he told the British tabloid. “Either they have already found the submarine, or submarines, and they are holding it. Or they haven’t got it yet and need to get hold of it.”
The P-8A Poseidon Is a Capable Sub Hunter
The P-8A Poseidon is a multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft designed for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, as well as shipping interdiction, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, and search and rescue operations. The aircraft is modified from the narrow-body 737-900ERX that is in service with commercial airlines around the world.
The Poseidon, named for the Ancient Greek god of the sea, can conduct low-altitude missions. Since entering service in March 2012, it has accumulated more than 400,000 mishap-free flight hours worldwide. Each is outfitted with state-of-the-art technology developed specifically for the Poseidon, including synthetic aperture radar, an electro-optical infrared sensor turret, and increased acoustic capability that allows the aircraft to conduct concurrent passive and active processing.
The aircraft can operate over the open ocean as well as in littoral waters with a relatively small crew of a pilot, co-pilot, two naval flight officers, and three enlisted Aviation Warfare Operators/naval aircrewmen. It has been adopted by the US Navy and by other allies and international partners, including the UK’s Royal Air Force.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
