NATO allies on high alert over Russia’s sub activity
WASHINGTON — Britain and the United States fear Vladimir Putin is prepared to cause financial chaos by attacking undersea cables between the countries and are going to extraordinary lengths to track Russian submarines.
U.S. and U.K. military sources say Russian submarine activity in the North Atlantic has reached a 25-year high and there has been a return to “Cold War cat-andmouse games” under the sea.
Amid mounting tension with the Kremlin, the allies are using a remarkable array of modern technology and military equipment to make sure they know exactly where the submarines are as they move around the region.
Satellites spot when the subs leave naval bases and intercept communications, while planes fly scan a 100-square-mile radius as they fly over the sea.
Helicopters dangle “sonar buoys” in the water to detect submarine movement, while warships drag pipes more than half a mile long rigged with underwater microphones.
British and American submarines with listening devices are able to follow the Russian submarines, while fixed listening devices placed on the seabed alert officials when they pass.
British and American military figures liaise when a Russian submarine is being followed, with the Norwegians, French and NATO often being involved.
One fear is that Putin could attempt to interfere with undersea communication cables that carry data on which stock markets in both countries are reliant.
“The largest exchange of data between America and Europe is via undersea cables from New York and the U.K.,” said one British source. “Putin has the means ... to disrupt that if he wished. It isn’t stretching reality to paint a scenario where he would.”
A U.S. navy official said there had been a “return of great power competition” and that America has its “laser focused on increasing our war-fighting readiness” to counter foes.
After the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, much of the country’s navy was sold off or junked.
However, under Putin’s leadership, there has been a concerted effort to build up the Russian navy again, with a focus on submarines.
In recent years, as Russia has annexed Crimea, stoked civil war in Ukraine and meddled in a U.S. election, there has also been an increase in Russian activity under the North Atlantic.
Currently, at most times of the year there is at least one Russian submarine in the region or heading toward it. The surge in activity has sent the UK and U.S. scrambling to re-engage. In March, Britain deployed a submarine under the Arctic for the first time in a decade.