NORTHCOM Tells Congress That Russian Nuclear Attack Submarines Will Be On Persistent Patrols Off Either U.S. Coast In The Next Two Years

The Yasen-M nuclear cruise missile submarine Krasnoyarsk in January. Tass Photo 

USNI News: NORTHCOM: Russia Close to Persistent Nuclear Cruise Missile Attack Sub Presence off U.S. Coasts 

Russia could have its most powerful and quiet nuclear attack submarines on persistent patrols off either U.S. Coast in the next two years, the head of U.S. Northern Command told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday.

In response to questions from Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) on the threat of Chinese and Russian cruise missile submarines operating close to the U.S., NORTHCOM commander Gen. Glen VanHerck said that the deployments of the Russian Yasen-class nuclear cruise missile attack boats have been deploying more frequently. 

“[The risk is] absolutely increasing. Within the last year, Russia has also placed their [Yasens] in the Pacific,” he said. “Now not only the Atlantic, but we also have them in the Pacific and it’s just a matter of time – probably a year or two – before that’s a persistent threat, 24 hours a day. … That impact has reduced decision space for a national senior leader in a time of crisis.”  

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Update: Russia Nuclear Submarines Deployed Off U.S. Coast Spark Alarm (Newsweek)

WNU Editor: Russian subs are already making their presence felt off the coast of Norway .... Norway watches warily as Russian subs and aircraft step up Arctic patrols (NBC News).