Article Posted on : - Mar 21, 2010

An artistic conception of Russia's Lada class diesel-propelled submarines. A Fas.org Photo

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia has said it needs to have at least 50 nuclear submarines at its Navy's disposal of which two to three subs should be combat-ready to counter any threat from the US, UK and France.

"The number of nuclear submarines in Russia's Navy should be no less than 40-50," First Deputy of the Naval General Staff, Vice Admiral Oleg Burtsev told Ekho Moskvy radio on Saturday.

He said that France, Britain and the US have at least nine combat-ready nuclear submarines present at sea all the times.

"In order to counterbalance them, we need to have two or three nuclear-powered submarines. They need to know that we are prepared to respond to any strike," Burtsev was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.

The Russian Navy presently has a fleet of 60 strategic diesel-powered submarines in combat-ready position.

The country is at present conducting test trial of its Yasen class (also known as Severodvinsk class) multi-purpose nuclear-powered attack submarines. The final test trials of the Lada class diesel subs will begin this year, the Naval official said.