US Navy ballistic submarine – A prized weapon and one of the most powerful components of the arsenal makes a rare
appearance at the Guam port over the past weekend.
According to the analysts, this rare call on the port spreads out messages to all the foes and allies amidst the increasing tension in the Indo-Pacific region.
USS Nevada was seen at the navy base in the territory of US Pacific Island on Saturday.
USS Nevada is a nuclear-powered submarine which carries 20 trident ballistic missiles along with countless nuclear warheads.
This is the first visit of the missile carrying submarine which is also known as “boomer” since the 1980s.
“The port visit strengthens cooperation between the United States and allies in the region, demonstrating US capability, flexibility, readiness, and continuing commitment to Indo-Pacific regional security and stability,” a US Navy statement said.
According to the US Navy, the submarine which is Ohio-class, normally stays for about 77 days in the sea before resorting to a port for replenishment and maintenance.
“The secrecy surrounding the ballistic missile submarines makes them the “most important survivable leg of the nuclear triad,” which also includes silo-based ballistic missiles on the US mainland and nuclear-capable bombers like the B-2 and B-52.”
“It sends a message — intended or not: we can park 100-odd nuclear warheads on your doorstep and you won’t even know it or be able to do much about it. And the reverse isn’t true and won’t be for a good while,” said Thomas Shugart, a former US Navy submarine captain and an analyst now.
As the tension between America and China brew in the region especially over the status quo of the island of Taiwan, and North Korea slowly ramping up its missile mission, this emergence of ballistic missile submarines in the region gives out a secret but serious message to the foes of the United States of America.
According to the analysts, Pyongyang and Beijing, both are not capable of matching the expertise of this kind of submarine. As the ballistic missiles submarines program of North Korea is still in its infancy stage whereas the ballistic missile submarine of China is hardly a fleet of six missiles, – a dwarf in front of this amazing cougar.
