With the arrival of the Russian Navy’s Kazan nuclear submarine and Almirante Gorshkov missile frigate in Havana, Cuba, the United States has begun deploying naval and air assets in international waters east of Florida. However, in the last few hours, the US Southern Command announced that the nuclear attack submarine USS Helena is in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, making a routine port visit. Also part of this flotilla are the rescue tug ship Nikolai Chiker, and the oil tanker Pashin of Project 23130.
Yesterday, it was reported that, in response to the arrival of the Russian flotilla in Cuba, a group of ships and aircraft from the United States and Canada have also been deployed to the area. Although it was anticipated that North America would monitor the movements of the Russian navy, analysts noted that the deployment is aimed at gathering information on the capabilities of antagonistic means.
For its part, the United States Navy previously sent the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Truxtun (DDG-103) and USS Donald Cook (DDG-75), which were joined by the USCGC Stone (WMSL-758) the Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ville de Québec. In addition, Internet users identified P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance and patrol aircraft and the Canadian CP-140 Aurora in the area.
USS Helena Submarine Deployment: Cold War Reflections
The deployment of the USS Helena has surprised, since its presence near Cuba was not expected, making a port visit in its transit through the geographical area of responsibility for maritime security and national defense missions. However, this is not entirely surprising, given that Russia has sent a nuclear submarine to the Caribbean Sea for the first time.
The presence of the Russian nuclear submarine in the Caribbean and the US response reflect the tense and distrustful historical relations between both nations. Furthermore, the support of the United States and the West for Ukraine is seen as an argument for the Russian visit to Cuba. This military deployment revives the echoes of the Cold War, a history of competition and rivalry that continues to influence current actions, sending messages about the power, the capabilities of each nation and its fight for global influence.
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