MOSCOW: Russia plans to move its latest nuclear submarine to the permanent base in the Kamchatka Peninsula in August as Moscow steps up its army presence in the Pacific.
According to AL Jazeera, the Generalissimo Suvorov, which entered service at the end of 2022, carries up to 16 nuclear-tipped Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles of Russia, each of which can carry more than one nuclear warhead.
TASS said, citing a source close to the army department, “The submarine Generalissimo Suvorov would make an inter-naval transition from the Northern Fleet to the Pacific Fleet in August,”.
“The transition would be carried out along the Northern Sea Route, including in a submerged position.”
Russia has been boosting defences in its vast far eastern areas bordering the Asia-Pacific, increasing security concerns in Japan and the region during heightened worry over China’s growing military might. The United States has been raising its regional presence, signing the security pact with Papua New Guinea this week.
The Generalissimo Suvorov was among many new vessels commissioned by President of Russia Vladimir Putin at the end of the previous year as he promised to further strengthen the Russian navy, with Russian news agencies reporting it was meant to bolster the nuclear-powered fleet at the Rybachiy submarine base on the Kamchatka Peninsula.
“We would increase the pace and volume of construction of various ships, equip them with the most modern weapons,” Putin said.
He added, “Everything to reliably ensure Russia’s security, the safety of our national interests in the international ocean.”
Russian agencies have reported that the submarine is the sixth vessel of the Russian Borei class of more miniature and stealthier submarines. They will replace the country’s previous generations of ballistic missile submarines.
