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Russian sub trials under NATO scrutiny
East-West Relations
Thomas Harding, The Daily Telegraph
Published: Thursday, August 23, 2007
LONDON - NATO vessels are closely monitoring the sea trials of Russia's latest submarine, following Moscow's increasingly provocative tests of Western airspace.
In the latest twist to worsening East-West relations, NATO submarines and surface ships are trying to gather information on the new Amur class boat being tested in the Baltic Sea.
The greater-than-normal scrutiny is, in part, a response to Russia's decision to resume long-range bomber flights close to NATO airspace which has revived memories of Cold War confrontation between the two blocs.
Russian Tu-95 bombers have been spotted off the Scottish coast.
Twice this summer, Russian Tu-95 nuclear bombers have been spotted heading towards British airspace off Scotland, prompting the Royal Air Force to send intercepting aircraft to warn them off. On another occasion, Russian planes came within striking distance of the U.S. Pacific airbase of Guam.
Russian air force spokesman Colonel Alexander Drobyshevsky insisted yesterday there was no provocative intent.
"Our pilots never violate foreign airspace and their actions have no aggression against other countries," he said.
"The long-range aircraft [off Scotland] were on a scheduled mission over international waters. We have made prior announcements of all flights. There is no sabre-rattling involved."
The Amur class submarine being studied by NATO can test the alliance's ability to defend territorial waters in much the same way that bomber flights can test its ability to defend airspace.
The vessel is an extremely stealthy model, capable of striking surface targets with torpedoes or missiles. Apart from the threat it poses as part of the Russian navy, Moscow is believed to have won contracts to export it to other states such as Venezuela, which is challenging the United States' influence in Latin America.
Russia also exports weapons to Iran and Sudan, although there is no sign yet that either country plans to buy an Amur class submarine.
The fact that President Vladimir Putin's regime is testing a powerful new addition to the Russian navy after its fleet went through years of decline shows a new military buildup is underway.
Russia's neighbour Georgia claimed yesterday that it, too, was being intimidated by Moscow.
Russian jets, the government said, had twice entered its airspace this week. Earlier this month, a Russian warplane had fired a missile at a village on its territory.
But Russia protested its innocence, accusing Georgia of inventing the charge to stir up tensions. Vitaly Churkin, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, said the bomb fragments produced as evidence were of foreign origin.
This meant they could not have been used in a Russian missile, he claimed, adding that Russian pilots were even prohibited from wearing Swiss-made watches.
But Merab Antadze, Georgia's deputy foreign minister, said this kind of disinformation was a typical tactic of the Kremlin.
"It is very well known to all that this old form of shameless Soviet diplomacy continues," he said.
East-West Relations
Thomas Harding, The Daily Telegraph
Published: Thursday, August 23, 2007
LONDON - NATO vessels are closely monitoring the sea trials of Russia's latest submarine, following Moscow's increasingly provocative tests of Western airspace.
In the latest twist to worsening East-West relations, NATO submarines and surface ships are trying to gather information on the new Amur class boat being tested in the Baltic Sea.
The greater-than-normal scrutiny is, in part, a response to Russia's decision to resume long-range bomber flights close to NATO airspace which has revived memories of Cold War confrontation between the two blocs.
Russian Tu-95 bombers have been spotted off the Scottish coast.
Twice this summer, Russian Tu-95 nuclear bombers have been spotted heading towards British airspace off Scotland, prompting the Royal Air Force to send intercepting aircraft to warn them off. On another occasion, Russian planes came within striking distance of the U.S. Pacific airbase of Guam.
Russian air force spokesman Colonel Alexander Drobyshevsky insisted yesterday there was no provocative intent.
"Our pilots never violate foreign airspace and their actions have no aggression against other countries," he said.
"The long-range aircraft [off Scotland] were on a scheduled mission over international waters. We have made prior announcements of all flights. There is no sabre-rattling involved."
The Amur class submarine being studied by NATO can test the alliance's ability to defend territorial waters in much the same way that bomber flights can test its ability to defend airspace.
The vessel is an extremely stealthy model, capable of striking surface targets with torpedoes or missiles. Apart from the threat it poses as part of the Russian navy, Moscow is believed to have won contracts to export it to other states such as Venezuela, which is challenging the United States' influence in Latin America.
Russia also exports weapons to Iran and Sudan, although there is no sign yet that either country plans to buy an Amur class submarine.
The fact that President Vladimir Putin's regime is testing a powerful new addition to the Russian navy after its fleet went through years of decline shows a new military buildup is underway.
Russia's neighbour Georgia claimed yesterday that it, too, was being intimidated by Moscow.
Russian jets, the government said, had twice entered its airspace this week. Earlier this month, a Russian warplane had fired a missile at a village on its territory.
But Russia protested its innocence, accusing Georgia of inventing the charge to stir up tensions. Vitaly Churkin, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, said the bomb fragments produced as evidence were of foreign origin.
This meant they could not have been used in a Russian missile, he claimed, adding that Russian pilots were even prohibited from wearing Swiss-made watches.
But Merab Antadze, Georgia's deputy foreign minister, said this kind of disinformation was a typical tactic of the Kremlin.
"It is very well known to all that this old form of shameless Soviet diplomacy continues," he said.