Russia Modernizing Its Submarine Fleet

A British Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine was reportedly closely pursued by Russian warships and subs in the eastern Mediterranean during the first days of April. That "cat-and-mouse" encounter between one of the UK's most advanced submarines and a Russian force that included Improved Kilo-class substook place in the run-up to the latest US-led strikes in Syria. Russia decreased its undersea activity after the Cold War, and its navy went through a considerable decline.