Context:

In response to comments by Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and current deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, US President Donald Trump announced that he is positioning two US Navy nuclear submarines closer to Russia. The types and specific locations of these submarines remain undisclosed, as the Pentagon typically keeps such movements confidential. The US Navy's submarine fleet includes three types: Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs) designed for nuclear deterrence, guided-missile submarines (SSGNs) with non-nuclear capabilities, and fast-attack submarines for destroying enemy vessels. Ohio-class SSBNs are particularly significant with their capability to carry multiple nuclear warheads and their strategic ability to launch from vast distances. Fast-attack submarines are the most numerous, equipped with torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles, and come in various classes including the Virginia, Los Angeles, and Seawolf classes, each with distinct capabilities and roles.

Dive Deeper:

• Donald Trump has directed two US Navy nuclear submarines to move closer to Russia as a precautionary measure following provocative statements by Dmitry Medvedev. The exact types and locations of these submarines have not been revealed due to the Pentagon's policy of maintaining operational secrecy.

• The US Navy's Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines are crucial to America's nuclear deterrence strategy, capable of carrying 20 Trident ballistic missiles each, which can be launched from remote oceans without needing proximity to targets such as Russia.

• Guided-missile submarines, converted from Ohio-class SSBNs, carry Tomahawk cruise missiles and can clandestinely deploy troops. Their movements remain classified, but they have been used strategically to project power and deterrence in global hotspots.

• Fast-attack submarines, the backbone of the US fleet, are equipped to hunt enemy submarines and surface vessels, and can engage land targets with Tomahawk missiles, albeit in smaller quantities than SSGNs. These submarines are categorized into the Virginia, Los Angeles, and Seawolf classes.

• The Seawolf class includes specialized submarines like the USS Jimmy Carter, which has an extended hull for advanced technology and classified operations. Meanwhile, the Virginia class is the newest and most advanced, with ongoing commissions as of mid-2023.

• Ohio-class SSBNs are designed for stealth and survivability, expected to endure an adversary's first strike, and thus play a critical role in strategic deterrence. Their design features include a displacement of nearly 19,000 tons and a crew complement of 159.

• The strategic deployment and roles of these submarines underscore their importance in US military doctrine, particularly in maintaining a balance of power and ensuring readiness against potential threats from adversaries like Russia.