New Russian Nuclear Sub Catches U.S. By Surprise...

Geostrategy-direct.com ^ | Bill Gretz

[RCW2001]

Russia’s newest nuclear-powered submarine, the Gepard, will enter service next month. The super-quiet submarine has been identified by U.S. intelligence officials as an advanced Akula II-class attack submarine.
    The deployment of the Gepard surprised U.S. intelligence agencies which had not expected to see the new submarine launched for several years.
    The submarine is quieter than U.S. Los Angeles-class attack submarines, giving it greater survivability.
    The submarine will join the Russian Northern Fleet in early December, according to U.S. officials.

Russia's new super-quiet Gepard submarine..

---

    The submarine is the 14th Akula II submarine, has a maximum speed of 33 knots and can dive to depths of up to 1,800 feet. It will be outfitted with strategic nuclear cruise missiles.
    The ship demonstrates Russia’s continuing drive to develope sea-based strategic systems, the officials said.

[krodriguesdc]

yup - let's put all of our trust & faith in putin - he is America's newest best friend... :)

[Mr. Bird]

Russia’s newest nuclear-powered submarine, the Gepard

Let's just call it The Dick.

[JohnMac]

You pol Ruski?

[Tymesup]

The government again doing a fine job protecting us. This story will be all over the network news, of course.

[RCW2001]

deployment of the Gepard surprised U.S. intelligence agencies

ANOTHER fine example of our "intelligence gathering" capabilities (or rather, lack thereof)...

[Fiddlstix]

Bump

[El Sordo]

OTOH, Russia has a tendency to try to do things on the cheap. The sub, in the log run, may not be all it's cracked up to be. Plus, can they deploy these in any great number within the next 10 years??

[Savage Beast]

Of course, as you indicated, we can't put our trust and faith in Putin or anyone else, but we do want the Russians on our side--and not on the other side. The job's tough, and a lot's at stake. It's a good thing we've got Bush in the White House.

[hut1hut2]

The new sub will be a perfect complement to the KURSK class.

[krodriguesdc]

Of course, as you indicated, we can't put our trust and faith in Putin or anyone else, but we do want the Russians on our side--and not on the other side. The job's tough, and a lot's at stake. It's a good thing we've got Bush in the White House.

yeah - GW is not stupid, and he speaks and writes English well :)

[Libertarian_4_eva]

It's a good thing we've got Bush in the White House.

Why so he can call the most repessive regime in the world an ally? What exactly has bush done to stop china a nation that will not allow people to express their faith in public from being in the WTO? We could have stopped that but did not. Is money more important then freedom? Would you sell your kids into slavehood for a few extra dollars?

[cardinal4]

Before we going crying the sky is falling,lets make sure this isnt another Mig-25.If you recall in the 70s we were told that the Foxbat was the most feared fighter/interceptor out there.When Belenko defected in 75?76?with one,we took apart,ran it,took it apart,ran it again,and came to the conclusion that it was a complete peice of junk.If you dont remember this story,Im sure you remember the Kursk,which was supposed to be the best around.It sunk.

[Savage Beast]

Of course not, but if it takes two-steps-forward-and-one-step-backward to bring Russia, India, and China into the Western World, it's well worth the shuffle. And right now ol' Georgie Bush is doing the Texas Two-Step like Fred Astair.

[krodriguesdc]

Before we going crying the sky is falling,lets make sure this isnt another Mig-25.If you recall in the 70s we were told that the Foxbat was the most feared fighter/interceptor out there.When Belenko defected in 75?76?with one,we took apart,ran it,took it apart,ran it again,and came to the conclusion that it was a complete peice of junk.If you dont remember this story,Im sure you remember the Kursk,which was supposed to be the best around.It sunk.

yeah let's wait to cry until russia surprises us with a nuke!

IMHO that is...

[hauerf]

Yes, according to Jane's Ships the Gepard (English spelling "Gephardt") is named for a Soviet mole who has served the Russians exceptionally well in the US Congress.

[FreedomPoster]

Good point, but Bill Clinton wasn't running the show in those years. Unless I miss my guess (and I really doubt it), we lost the last eight years of black weapons development.

[krodriguesdc]

here's the attidtude we should have with the ruskies...

"my friends we begin bombing russia in 5 minutes!"

Ronald Wilson Reagan