International security

Whoa: Russia sends major signal with nuclear-armed sub off France

Ballistic missile submarines are considered the quintessential element of the “silent service,” because their purpose is to lurk undetected in the world’s oceans for months at a time, ready to launch their arsenal in the service of their nations’ most urgent strategic objectives.

The point of the nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines of the elite navies – known as SSBNs – is to be unfindable.  Their navies have worked for decades to make them quieter, and give their strategic missiles greater range, so that the subs can patrol silently in little-traveled areas far from their targets.

So when one is found, deliberately operating close to the coast of another nation, its presence is unquestionably meant to send a signal.

That’s what reportedly happened in January, off the coast of France.  And it’s an even bigger event than it may sound like at first.