NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made light of a recent incident involving the Russian submarine Novorossiysk, which was forced to surface off the coast of France due to a malfunction. The submarine, identified by NATO naval forces, was reportedly being towed by a tugboat, indicating potential damage. Rutte mocked the vessel’s condition, referencing the lack of Russian naval presence in the Mediterranean and comparing the situation to a search for a mechanic rather than a threatening presence. While Russia claimed a scheduled transit, reports suggested the submarine suffered a fuel leak, leading to its surfacing and necessitating redirection for repairs under NATO supervision.
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NATO Chief’s pointed remarks about a “broken” Russian submarine and Moscow’s swift denial, paint a picture of Cold War-era tension, but with a distinctly modern, almost sarcastic, flavor. The core of the story revolves around the surfacing of the Russian diesel-powered submarine Novorossiysk off the coast of France, a move Russia attributed to adhering to navigation regulations in the English Channel. However, the incident, coupled with the NATO chief’s – let’s just call him Mark – wry commentary, has set off a wave of speculation and, frankly, a good dose of amusement.
When you hear that a nation, especially one with a history like Russia’s, is claiming compliance with navigation rules, a certain level of skepticism is almost automatic.… Continue reading
Amid escalating tensions between Russia and NATO, a Russian submarine surfaced off the coast of France, prompting surveillance by a French frigate. While an unverified Telegram channel reported the submarine suffered technical issues, Russia denied any malfunction, stating the vessel was undergoing a routine inter-fleet transfer and complying with international maritime rules. NATO’s Maritime Command confirmed the monitoring on social media, emphasizing the alliance’s readiness to defend against threats. This incident coincides with NATO’s annual nuclear exercise, “Steadfast Noon,” aimed at testing procedures for safeguarding and deploying nuclear weapons, further highlighting the heightened security concerns in Europe.
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A French Navy frigate is currently tracking a surfaced Russian submarine off the coast of Brittany, as confirmed by NATO Maritime Command. The submarine is believed to be the Novorossiysk, a Project 636.3 Improved Kilo II-class vessel from Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, known for its previous operations in the Mediterranean. This monitoring is part of NATO’s ongoing maritime surveillance in the North Atlantic, a regular practice. Recent reports suggest a potential diesel fuel leak on the Novorossiysk, though the extent of the damage remains unconfirmed.
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Ukraine claims its military intelligence agency has obtained classified information on Russia’s new Project 955A Borei-class submarine, the Knyaz Pozharsky, which entered service recently. The data includes crew lists, diagrams of survivability systems, and operational instructions, potentially revealing vulnerabilities of the submarine, a key component of Russia’s nuclear triad. The HUR, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, published documents allegedly obtained from the breach, aiming to expose technical limitations of this advanced vessel. This operation could be a setback for the Russian Navy, especially given the submarine’s strategic importance.
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Due to prohibitive costs and lengthy lead times associated with restarting production of the torpedo tube-launched Tomahawk, the Netherlands has abandoned plans to integrate this missile onto its submarine fleet. The decision, detailed in the Defensie Projectenoverzicht 2025 report, affects both the current Walrus-class and the future Orka-class submarines. The Dutch Ministry of Defence explored options for cost-sharing, but ultimately deemed the expense for their relatively small order unfeasible. The plan to equip surface ships with Tomahawks remains unaffected, and alternative deep-strike capabilities for the Orka-class are now under consideration.
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Canada is seeking to procure up to twelve new conventionally powered submarines by 2035 to replace its aging fleet and enhance national defence capabilities. Germany and Norway, jointly developing the 212 CD submarine, offer Canada early access to the production line, allowing expedited delivery. The 212 CD boasts stealth capabilities and is designed for under-ice operations, addressing concerns about potential threats from adversaries. This procurement is driven by a need for improved national defence in light of evolving geopolitical circumstances and the unreliability of certain allies.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood