Photos in The Northern Fleet report, part #1

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Yankee-class submarine outside Severomorsk

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In accordance with the START-II disarmament treaty, the number of strategic missiles on board Northern Fleet submarines will be reduced to a total of 1 750 by the year 2003. Most likely the number will be even smaller. Here a strategic nuclear missile is removed from a Delta-II class submarine at a naval base on the Kola Peninsula. Once their missiles have been removed, the nuclear submarines are then laid up.
Due to copyright restraints this photograph is only available in the printed version. The printed version can be ordered from us.

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The Northern Fleet has two such nuclear powered battle cruisers, and a third will be delivered over the course of 1996. Due to technical problems, the battle cruisers have been laid up over the past three to four years. These vessels are based at Severomorsk on the Murmansk Fjord.

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Due to the Northern Fleet's considerable economic problems, crews on board the nuclear submarines do not always receive their salaries on schedule. On numerous occasions, nuclear submarines have been sent out on patrol without the full complement of qualified officers.

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The terms of the START-II disarmament treaty require that the missile sections of the strategic nuclear submarines must be removed before the submarine can be considered among those that have been taken out of active service. This requirement has resulted in a situation where a number of the Yankee class submarines in Severodvinsk today remain afloat in two separate pieces. Here, the missile section has been removed and the vessel's forward and aft parts have been welded together again. The reactor compartment containing two reactors with their fuel assemblies remains inside the vessel's hull. As can be seen, sea water is penetrating through the crack between the two parts, thereby hastening the onset of corrosion and impairing the submarine's ability to float.

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Many of the Soviet Union's submarine officers were trained at the naval colleges in Sevastopol (Ukraine) and here at Paldiski (Estonia). Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, these establishments were closed. At the present time, work is ongoing in Paldiski to dismantle the two nuclear submarine models which include the reactors.

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Many of the Soviet Union's submarine officers were trained at the naval colleges in Sevastopol (Ukraine) and here at Paldiski (Estonia). Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, these establishments were closed. At the present time, work is ongoing in Paldiski to dismantle the two nuclear submarine models which include the reactors.

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Insufficient training of submarine crews can have serious consequences in the event of an accident. The officer pictured here is being trained in emergency procedures within the reactor compartment of a Typhoon submarine.
Due to copyright restraints this photograph is only available in the printed version. The printed version can be ordered from us.

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If the START-II treaty is fulfilled, 50 percent of Russian strategic nuclear warheads will be places on submarines in 2003. This means that the Northern Fleet will play an even more important role within the Russian nuclear strategy. Many of the nuclear missiles will be carried by submarines of the Delta class, seen in this picture.
Due to copyright restraints this photograph is only available in the printed version. The printed version can be ordered from us.

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LOWERED SOCIAL CONDITIONS: The social conditions for officers of the Northern Fleet have worsened considerably in the nineties. At times, several months passes between each pay day. Consequently, the number of officers renewing their five year contracts with the navy is diminishing. On several occasions, nuclear submarines on patrol have sailed with fewer qualified officers than regulations provide. This severely weakens the safety on board.
Due to copyright restraints this photograph is only available in the printed version. The printed version can be ordered from us.