Issue Briefs
The Russian Submarine Threat In The Atlantic Is Growing, But A Low-Cost Solution Is Available (From Forbes)
Loren B. Thompson
June 08th, 2021
The Russian Navy has recently resumed large-scale submarine exercises in the North Atlantic after a long hiatus. The U.K.’s defense secretary says Russian subs are “circling Britain’s entire coastline.” Unfortunately, the maritime patrol aircraft of America’s European allies have declined markedly in quantity and quality since the Cold War ended, and the U.S. Navy has plenty of other places around the world it would need to cover in wartime. Although many European nations would prefer a local solution, they recognize a near-term answer is needed until a European patrol plane can be developed. Britain and Norway have signed up to buy the same system the U.S. Navy operates, called the P-8 Poseidon. Other countries should follow their example, and probably would if the Biden administration sent a signal that modernizing maritime patrol aircraft should be a priority. Doing so would help address an emerging threat, promote alliance interoperability and bolster U.S. manufacturing. I have written a commentary for Forbes here.
The views and opinions expressed in this issue brief are those of the author.
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Loren B. Thompson is a Senior Adviser at GPI, Chief Operating Officer of the non-profit Lexington Institute and Chief Executive Officer of Source Associates, a for-profit consultancy. Prior to holding his present positions, he was Deputy Director of the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University and taught graduate-level courses in strategy, technology and media affairs at Georgetown. He has also taught at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Mr. Thompson holds doctoral and masters degrees in government from Georgetown University and a bachelor of science degree in political science from Northeastern University. |