Russia submarines at sea as U.S. carrier group sails outside northern Norway
As of August 25, the Yasen-class submarines Severodvinsk, Arkhangelsk and Kazan are not present at the Nerpicha base in Zapadnaya Litsa. British media report about NATO warplanes searching for a Russian submarine in the waters near the US Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford strike group.
At least a dozen specialist NATO warplanes have since Sunday been launched to search for a Russian submarine suspected of sailing near the US Navy carrier, newspaper Express reported.
Sorties were made by British, American and Norwegian P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft from bases in Scotland, Iceland and Norway, the newspaper reported.
Norway has five P-8 Poseidon based at Evenes air base inside the Arctic Circle.
It is not immediately clear where the USS Gerald R. Ford strike group is located on Wednesday, but the on-going training is taking place along the west coast of Norway, likely somewhere outside the Lofoten archipelago in the north.
“For security reasons, the Armed Forces do not wish to provide further details about the upcoming activity at this time,” Norway’s military reported.
None of the NATO countries around the North Sea have commented on the possible hunt for a Russian submarine.
Satellite images studied by the Barents Observer show that as of August 25, all three multi-purpose submarines of the Yasen- and Yasen-M class belonging to the Russian Northern Fleet are out at sea.
The Severodvinsk (K-573), the Kazan (K-561) and the Arkhangelsk (K-564) all have Nerpicha as their home base. The base is located in the Litsa fjord some 60 kilometres from Russia’s border with Norway and there are no submarines present at the piers.
After August 25, clouds have made it impossible to study satellite images from the naval bases along the coast of the Kola Peninsula.
The Yasen-M class submarines are the most quiet of all Russian submarines. They are armed with both torpedoes and a set of cruise missiles.
U.S. – Norway military cooperation
“Practicing our interoperability in the High North environment ensures a secure and stable region through defense against malign influence in critical waterways,” a Facebook post by the U.S. carrier group said.
The Navy added: “We are showcasing our collective deterrence and commitment to defend the Euro-Atlantic region.”
The two Norwegian warships Thor Heyerdal (frigate) and Maud (supply ship) are sailing together with the carrier group. On Wednesday, Norwegian F-35s flew side by side with F/A-18 from the air wing of USS Gerald R. Ford.
Last November, the U.S. carrier group Harry S. Truman exercised with the Norwegians in the waters outside the Lofoten archipelago.
Earlier in August this year, three U.S. air force B-1B Lancer bombers were deployed to Ørland air base in Norway.
The increase in U.S. military training with Norway comes ahead the massive strategic exercise Zapad-2025 (West-2025) that Russia and its puppy ally Belarus are about to kick off, likely in mid-September.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canada, Finland signal Arctic priorities with new strategic partnership, CBC News
Denmark: Denmark to expand Arctic surveillance with purchase of long-range drones, Reuters
Greenland: Europeans step up Arctic diplomacy amid U.S. and global pressure, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Finland hails plan for allies to join NATO land forces in North, The Independent Barents Observer
Iceland: Europe’s Von der Leyen strengthens Arctic security ties with Iceland during visit, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Amid Norway’s celebration of Svalbard Treaty comes another verbal attack from Moscow, Reuters
Russia: Russian pilots learn to target long-range drones in Barents Sea combat drill, The Associated Press
Sweden: Europe and the US stand united ahead of Alaska meeting: Swedish PM, Radio Sweden
United States: Arctic security at stake: U.S. commission outlines urgent research priorities, The Associated Press
