US, WASHINGTON (ORDO NEWS) — A Russian Antey class nuclear submarine (NATO‘s Oscar II classification) can carry torpedoes with nuclear charges ten times the power of a bomb that wiped Hiroshima off the face of the earth.
The 154-meter Russian submarine is equipped with two nuclear reactors. For comparison, submarines in Sweden are 60 meters long and are equipped with diesel electric motors.
“This is a very large ship. It is not suitable for the Baltic Sea. It’s too easy to track, ”says Niklas Granholm.
What is the submarine doing in the Baltic?
“One can only guess. I have no idea. It can be assumed that some exercises will take place in the next few weeks. In any case, powerful weapons come to the Baltic Sea.”
Nuclear torpedoes
It is already known that submarines of this class can carry 24 long-range cruise missiles with nuclear warheads. But Niklas Granholm of the Institute for Defense Research warns that nuclear torpedoes may be on board.
The weakest of them has a capacity of 15 kilotons – this is comparable to the bombing of Hiroshima. The heaviest is 200 kilotons.
“In general, they are rather big. There are two types. Smaller – to hit small submarines. The larger, as I imagine, is designed for use against ships. And cruise missiles are designed to destroy American long-range aircraft carriers.”
Demonstration of military power
According to Niklas Granholm, this submarine fits into the new Russian concept.
“Russia is demonstrating military power in exercises. She arrives, maneuvers and goes home. This submarine is designed primarily for the North Atlantic and the Barents Sea. Its mission is to protect the main nuclear strategic forces in the north.”
However, if an accident occurs with an Antey class submarine, the consequences will be most devastating.
The Kursk submarine of the same project sank in 2000 after a torpedo explosion on board, and the entire crew of 118 people died. In addition, fires have already occurred on board submarines of this class.
“If a major accident happens with an atomic submarine with nuclear torpedoes on board, it will be trouble,” concludes Niklas Granholm, head of the research department at the Institute for Defense Research.
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