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​russians Arm Submarines with Machine Guns Against Ukrainian Sea Drones

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Loading Kalibr missiles onto a russian submarine / Open source illustrative photo
Loading Kalibr missiles onto a russian submarine / Open source illustrative photo

russians demonstrate their fear of Ukrainian maritime drones even in areas where their appearance is unlikely

russian resources report that a submarine B-587 Velikiye Luki of Project 677, which was built in St. Petersburg, entered the Baltic Sea for testing.

One specific detail can be seen in the photo of this submarine: a 12.7 mm machine gun mounted on the deckhouse, apparently to protect against a possible attack by UAVs or maritime drones.

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russians Arm Submarines with Machine Guns Against Ukrainian Sea Drones, Defense Express
B-587 Velikiye Luki submarine undergoing testing, 12.7 mm machine gun mounted on the deckhouse / Open source illustrative photo

This detail made russians upset because a machine gun on a diesel-electric submarine is an anachronism in the style of the First World War. Moreover, the installation of such weapons on submarines of this project was not envisaged at all.

So it is clear why russian military decided to take measures and reinforce the submarine with a machine gun. Even if we are talking about the Baltic Sea, where, in theory, Ukrainian drones cannot yet threaten the russian fleet.

We are talking about the fact that russians were able to build and bring to the initial stages of testing the third submarine of the latest project 677. Only two submarines of this project have been reported before: B-585 Sankt Peterburg and B-586 Kronshtadt.

russians Arm Submarines with Machine Guns Against Ukrainian Sea Drones, Defense Express
Two semi-submersible submarines of russian Black Sea Fleet in the waters of Novorossiysk, May 17, 2024 / Photo credit: MT_Anderson

During the testing of their submarine in the Baltic Sea, russians have the illusion that they are "copying" the practice of the US Navy. For instance, in May 2024, there was a report that A-10 attack aircraft began escorting nuclear submarines in the United States.

On the other hand, russians may take even more fantastic measures to protect their submarines carrying Kalibr missiles from possible attacks by the Defense Forces of Ukraine in the Black Sea.

Earlier Defense Express reported about reasons why russians turn their T-72 tnto a massive turtle tank.

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