Silent Running: Russian attack submarine sailed in Gulf of Mexico undetected for weeks...

The Washington Free Beacon ^ | 08/14/2012 | Bill Gertz

[bt_dooftlook]

A Russian nuclear-powered attack submarine armed with long-range cruise missiles operated undetected in the Gulf of Mexico for several weeks and its travel in strategic U.S. waters was only confirmed after it left the region, the Washington Free Beacon has learned.

It is only the second time since 2009 that a Russian attack submarine has patrolled so close to U.S. shores.

The stealth underwater incursion in the Gulf took place at the same time Russian strategic bombers made incursions into restricted U.S. airspace near Alaska and California in June and July, and highlights a growing military assertiveness by Moscow.

The submarine patrol also exposed what U.S. officials said were deficiencies in U.S. anti-submarine warfare capabilities—forces that are facing cuts under the Obama administration’s plan to reduce defense spending by $487 billion over the next 10 years.

[ETL]

From 2006...

Venezuela, Russia Sign Weapons Deal

Jeremy Wolland

Defying the United States, Russia agreed in July to sell $1 billion in combat aircraft to Venezuela. The deal marks the latest in a series of Russian arms sales to a state that has increasingly clashed with Washington over different ideological approaches to Latin America and the developing world.

Capping Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s July 25-27 visit to Russia, the deal’s announcement comes just two months after Washington said it would no longer permit new U.S.-origin arms sales to the South American state. At that time, U.S. officials said they were disturbed by Venezuelan ties to Iran and Cuba, allegations that Venezuela was serving as a transit point for arms and individuals of concern, and the Chavez government’s links to left-wing Colombian guerrilla groups. (See ACT, June 2006.) By contrast, Moscow has been a willing arms supplier to Venezuela, concluding more than $3 billion in weapons deals, including the most recent agreement, over the past 18 months.

The latest deal will send 24 Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30 MK2 fighter jets and 53 military helicopters to Venezuela. Chavez also announced that Moscow has agreed to build a Kalashnikov rifle factory in Venezuela. Under a prior deal between the two countries, 100,000 Kalashnikov AK-103 rifles are supposed to arrive in Venezuela this year. (See ACT, May 2005.)

The Bush administration has questioned both the necessity and motives for Venezuela’s increasing expenditures and new arms buys. Department of State spokesperson Tom Casey told reporters July 25 that “the arms purchase planned by Venezuela exceeded its defensive needs and are not helpful in terms of regional stability.” He further urged Russia to “reconsider the sale.”

Russian officials defended their deals with Venezuela, saying that they do not break international law. At a press conference July 27 with Chavez, Russian President Vladimir Putin attempted to defuse tensions with the United States by asserting that “cooperation between Russia and Venezuela is not directed against any third country.”

Chavez claims that the military purchases are necessary for Venezuela’s self-defense, commenting July 26 that “it is a state responsibility to equip and train the nation’s military bodies. In my case, that is what I am doing, nothing more.”

In an interview the same day with Colombian radio station Radio Caracol, Venezuelan Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel echoed Chavez. “ Venezuela’s purpose [behind its arms buys] is to guarantee the country’s defense and not to attack other countries,” Rangel stated.

In the past, Venezuela purchased U.S. arms, including a 1982 acquisition of 24 F-16A combat jets, but new sales and the supply of spare parts have declined over the course of Chavez’s rule. Venezuelan officials say that this trend has left their military in need of new and replacement weapons and military equipment.

U.S. politicians have questioned how Venezuela intends to use any new arms imports. Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.), chairman of the House International Relations Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation, said at a July 13 hearing that “it is the fear of many that these weapons, or the weapons they replace, will end up arming left-wing terrorist groups.”

http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2006_09/VenRussia

[GBA]

It is only the second time since 2009 that a Russian attack submarine has patrolled so close to U.S. shores.

How would you know? If they supposedly didn't know they were there this time, how would you know?

Actually, now that NOAA is shopping for 46,000 rounds of ammo I feel much safer.

[PGR88]

If it came and went undetected, then how does anyone know it operated in the Gulf “for several weeks?”

[Mr. K]

BUT THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT MEN CAN MARRY MEN IN THE MILITARY NOW~!

[ETL]

From 2007...

Venezuela strikes £500m deal to buy Russian submarines

· Fleet would help Chávez thwart future US embargo
· Sale to worsen relations between Putin and Bush

President Hugo Chávez is poised to buy at least five submarines from Russia in a £500m deal that will alarm the White House and confirms Venezuela as a growing military power in the region.

Mr Chávez is expected to sign the deal during a trip to Moscow next week. According to Kommersant newspaper, Venezuela has agreed an initial contract to buy five Project 636 diesel submarines, and four Project 637 Amur submarines at a later date.

Mr Chávez wants to use the submarines to thwart any possible future trade embargo by the US and to defend its oil-rich underwater shelf, the paper reported.

Last year he bought 24 Russian Sukhoi-30 two-seater attack aircraft, 34 helicopters and 100,000 Kalashnikovs. The deal was reputedly worth £1.9bn.

Venezuela - which has a defense pact with Cuba - is now the world's second biggest purchaser of Russian military hardware after Algeria. If the full submarine deal goes ahead, Venezuela will have the largest submarine fleet in Latin America.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/jun/15/venezuela.lukeharding

[ETL]

From Mar, 2012...

Vietnam’s Russian Restocking

Kilo Class cutaway
(click to view full)

In April 2009, reports surfaced that Vietnam had agreed in principle to a deal with Russia for 6 of its diesel-electric Kilo/ Project 636 Class fast attack submarines. There have been rumors that Vietnam owns 2 ex-Yugoslav mini-submarines for use in commando operations, but the Vietnamese People’s Navy doesn’t own any full size submarines that can take on enemy subs and ships. That’s about to change, thanks to a December 2009 contract.

Nor is that the only change in Vietnam’s military capabilities these days. China’s April 2009 display of naval might is only part of the mosaic influencing Vietnam’s decisions in these matters, as contracts for submarines – and far more – are being signed with its long-time Russian ally

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Vietnam-Reportedly-Set-to-Buy-Russian-Kilo-Class-Subs-05396/

[ETL]

From 2007...

Venezuela to buy Russian submarines, air defense systems - source

RIA Novosti

18/06/2007 MOSCOW, June 18 (RIA Novosti) - Venezuela is planning to procure up to 10 modern diesel submarines and several Tor-M1 air defense missile complexes from Russia, a source at a Russian think tank said Monday.

Russian business daily Kommersant said last week that during his visit to Russia, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez could finalize a deal to purchase Russian diesel submarines for the Venezuelan Navy. The contract reportedly is for the supply of five Project 636 Kilo-class diesel submarines and four state-of-the-art Project 677 Amur submarines.

"Most likely, [Venezuela] will buy five Project 636 submarines with missile systems..., but it could end up buying nine [submarines]," said Konstantin Makiyenko, Deputy Director of the Center for the Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (CAST).

The expert said the multi-billion dollar contract could be split into two or three parts, and include construction of submarine bases and training of submarine crews.

He also said the future deal would not be limited to procurement of submarines, but could include the purchase of advanced Tor-M1 air defense missile systems.

"It might be a multiple-deal contract...and in addition to submarines Venezuela will purchase Tor-M1 systems," Makiyenko said, adding that the country has long been seeking to acquire coastal anti-ship and air defense complexes "that the country desperately needs at present."

The South American country has been vigorously pursuing modernization of its naval fleet and coastal defenses to counter a possible U.S. blockade of its oil fields and prepare for direct military confrontation with Washington.

Russia has repeatedly stated that it would actively participate in the modernization of the Venezuelan armed forces until 2013.

In 2005-2006, Venezuela ordered weaponry from Russia worth $3.4 billion, including 24 Su-30MK2V Flanker fighters, Tor-M1 air defense missile systems, Mi-17B multi-role helicopters, Mi-35 Hind E attack helicopters and Mi-26 Halo heavy transport helicopters.

The country also purchased 100,000 AK-103 Kalashnikov assault rifles from Russia in 2005.

With the addition of arms contracts signed in 2006-beginning 2007, Venezuela has become the world's second largest importer of Russian weaponry after Algeria, which signed arms deals with Russia worth $7.5 billion.

The submarine contract or any other bilateral arms deals, if concluded, could become an additional irritant in the already testy relations between Moscow and Washington.

U.S. authorities have been increasingly concerned about the intensifying partnership between Russia and Venezuela, the world's leading oil producers. Washington has accused their leaderships of failing to uphold democratic values.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2007/06/mil-070618-rianovosti01.htm

[ETL]

(snip)...

"Putin's remarks referred to the dawn of the Cold War more than half a century ago, but they echoed a message he has made loud and clear more recently: that the United States needs to be restrained, and Russia is the country to do it. …

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...

[Strategerist]

And Venezuela right now has...two German submarines from the 1970s.

They have no Russian submarines, and no submarines are currently under construction by Russia for Venezuela.

Vietnam, on the other hand, actually DID sign a deal and the Russians are building submarines for them.

[ETL]

From 2010...

"...Russian aims to expand the arms market coincided with Chavez's needs and the stage was set for one of the biggest lines of credit for oil-rich Venezuela to buy Russian military hardware. Up to $800 million of credit is available for Venezuelan arms buying in Moscow.

U.S. authorities have been increasingly concerned about the intensifying partnership between Russia and Venezuela, the world's leading oil producers. Washington has accused their leaderships of failing to uphold democratic values.

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2010/08/10/Venezuela-acquiring-Russian-submarines/UPI-75881281471976/

[Strategerist]

You’ve proved my point enough, I think.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Seems like I remember the Russkies circling in our waters right after BamBam was immaculated. Do you remember that?

[moonshot925]

Venezuela has a rapidly increasing public debt due to falling oil revenues.

Inflation is over 30%.

The country is in very bad shape.

[stuartcr]

So we could collect data. Don’t announce it before, announce it after.

[SmithL]

Ping ) ) ) ) ) )

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Here we go. Did a bit of digging:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/05/world/05patrol.html

WASHINGTON — A pair of nuclear-powered Russian attack submarines has been patrolling off the eastern seaboard of the United States in recent days, a rare mission that has raised concerns inside the Pentagon and intelligence agencies about a more assertive stance by the Russian military......