What lies beneath: Russian submarine activity has returned to Cold War levels, Nato says

The Russian submarine fleet has returned to the North Atlantic with such gusto that Nato sub commanders are reporting “more activity from Russian submarines than we’ve seen since the days of the Cold War,” according to a top Nato admiral.

British Royal Navy Vice Admiral Clive Johnstone, speaking aboard a Spanish frigate at the end of last month, told the defence analysis group IHS Janes that the alliance is also seeing “a level of Russian capability that we haven’t seen before”.

Russia’s submarine programme froze as funds dried up following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Recently, however, Russia has commissioned two new types of subs, including a nuclear-powered attack variant and a nuclear-powered ballistic missile class. According to Janes, they have also started modernising older submarines as well.

Johnstone said that with these upgrades and newer boats, Russia is “freer to operate” beneath the waves, as the new technology and an increase in spending has greatly increased Russia’s capabilities. Johnstone also added that Russian submarine crews are more professional in years past, something that has also raised concern within the alliance.

While Russia’s revamped sub fleet is certainly a concern for the west, what worries Johnstone is the lack of openness about Russia’s strategic and operational objectives. The admiral added that the Russians have yet to invite a Nato representative to one of their exercises in the last two years -something that Nato does regularly.

“I’m not saying we want to be part of everything and I’m not saying that Russians are the ‘Great Bear’ or that they’re the enemy, but what we’ve got to do in this very complicated maritime environment is take out the uncertainty and reinforce the certainty,” Johnstone said.