US commander says tracking Russian subs is a key challenge
In this Saturday, July 29, 2007 file photo the Vilyuchinsk submarine is moored at a harbor on the Pacific peninsula of Kamchatka. The top Nato commander in Europe told the US Senate that Russia was investing heavily in its submarine fleet. AP
WASHINGTON, United States — The top NATO commander in Europe says he lacks all the military assets he needs to properly track the activity of Russian submarines.
In testimony Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove says the Russians understand the value of undersea warfare and have invested heavily in their submarine fleet.
Using a map to show senators the location, Breedlove pointed to an area in the northern Atlantic Ocean between Greenland, Iceland and Britain where Russian submarine traffic is heavy.
He says the U.S. is challenged to be able to watch all of that activity.
Breedlove says U.S. submarines are in short supply and senior American commanders typically have appetites for them that exceed the numbers.
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