The West twigs on why Russian sub traced British one

03.09.2010 The Royal Navy reports their submarines recently have had numerous encounters with Russian nuclear-powered attack subs. Although Chinese and US navies tell nothing about such cases, frequent incidents apparently show that Russian Navy began to update its acoustic database of various maritime objects; primarily, potential enemy's submarines.

Russian nuclear-powered submarines use passive sonars which listen to sounds and compare them with pre-recorded acoustic database. The point is that Russian database needs update badly, because submarines rarely have been in patrols during the last two decades. On average, Russian nuclear subs were on station 10 times a year (SSNs more often, SSBNs less frequently). Some particular subs were deployed only for several days and sometimes even for hours, while patrol of a US nuclear submarine normally lasts 2-6 months.

Each surface ship, submarine, or sea animal has its own unique noise which must be stored in acoustic database. Some US databases have so huge amount of acoustic information that it is possible to differ even individual animals of the same mammal class. In 1984 Soviet nuclear-powered submarines carried out 230 patrols; since 90's this number was significantly decreased. The mistake of Russian admirals was attempt to preserve as many ships as possible, while it would be wiser to decommission 90% ships and keep the rest ones more or less serviceable. Greater part of defense budget was assigned for maintenance of non-operational ships and submarines.

Currently, Russia has 14 SSBNs in inventory, although not all of them fully armed with ballistic missiles. Some subs lacks crewmembers, some are out of key onboard systems. Russian Navy has only 8 up-to-date Akula class SSNs (Project 971, Schuka-B) with displacement of 7,000 tons; one of them is about to be leased to India. Those submarines were laid down late 80's and have characteristics comparable to Los-Angeles class subs. All earlier built submarines turned into junk, most of them were decommissioned. There are 8 heavy SSGNs and 20 diesel electric subs. New type of nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine is being developed, although the progress moves slowly.

The US Navy possesses 7 newest Virginia class SSNs with displacement of 7,700 tons; three more are at different levels of completion (in total, it is planned to build 30 subs of this type). Los Angeles class nuclear submarines with displacement of 6,100 tons still constitute the basis of American attack submarine forces (44 subs are presently in service out of 62 ever built). Also, the US Navy has three powerful Seawolf class SSNs in its inventory (29-sub program was canceled due to collapse of the Soviet Union). Those supersubs were supposed to engage Soviet Navy in the plenitude of its power.

Lifetime of Western submarines makes about 30 years; Russian subs barely reach the age of 20. To maintain the total amount of nuclear subs at the level of 40, Russian Navy has to receive two subs per year which appears to be unreal without multibillion financing. At present, priority trend is new Borei class SSBNs (it is planned to build over 11 subs). Russian nuclear subs take the sea 3-4 times more often then 20 years ago, although this is not enough to reach Western standards. It should be noted, however, that Russian Navy has stopped its spiral degrading.