Russian naval drills test NATO's seapower readiness

The Russian Federation has commenced large-scale exercises involving over 300 ships and 20,000 sailors. These maneuvers aim to test the functioning of command organs in specific operational zones of different fleets participating in troop movements. How does the NATO fleet compare in light of these Russian actions?

Around 420 ships (of various types) are currently in service with the Russian navy. Over 300 operate daily in the Northern, Pacific, and Baltic Fleets and the Caspian Flotilla. They are set to embark on extensive exercises during which the army intends to train with "comprehensive combat exercises." The maneuvers aim to improve the detection, identification, and attack of targets simulating small surface and air objects.

Although these exercises by the Russian Federation are among many that Moscow has carried out over the years, the number of ships may prompt curiosity about how the Russian naval forces compare to the equipment at NATO’s disposal.

According to data collected by the statista.com portal, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has a significantly larger naval fleet in terms of numbers. The United States alone has over 470 ships at its disposal. Sweden follows with over 350 ships, and Italy has a navy based on over 300 vessels. The total NATO force is over 2,850 military ships, nearly seven times more than the Russian Federation. Let's look at a few exciting units that NATO has at its disposal.

The USA owns the unit that demands the most attention within NATO. We are referring to the most advanced design of its type in the world, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) aircraft carrier, the largest such vessel in the world.

CVN 78 is 1,093 ft long, 134 ft wide, and nearly 262 ft high. It accelerates to a speed of about 34 mph and can accommodate 4,600 people. Developing this giant could have cost up to $17 billion—all to create a modern unit capable of carrying F-35 and F/A-18 fighters, as well as early warning and electronic warfare aircraft.

The CVN 78 aircraft carrier is also equipped with modern electromagnetic catapults. This technology can operate continuously, allowing the ship to launch aircraft around the clock. Compared to previously used steam catapults, the new technology reduces weight and space on the ship.

Noteworthy units in NATO service also include HMS Daring (D32), a destroyer operating under the British flag, and the French submarine Le Triomphant (S616). HMS Daring, a relatively new unit that entered service in 2009, has been assigned the primary task of protecting aircraft carriers and amphibious forces from air threats – weapons that are among the most common on the modern battlefield. This protection is provided by the Sea Viper system, which uses SAMPSON and S1850M radars combined with Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles (weighing 683 and 1,124 lbs, respectively). Additionally, the stealth properties of HMS Daring make it significantly harder to detect while in motion.

Le Triomphant (S616) is another vital weapon through which the French incorporate nuclear capabilities (carried by M51.3 ballistic missiles on the S616) into NATO's arsenal. When submerged, Le Triomphant is a submarine that, when fully submerged, can dispense over 14,300 tons and has a length of nearly 459 feet. The power for this unit comes from a K15 nuclear reactor with a pressurized water system that produces 200,000 hp.

This valuable component of NATO’s nuclear deterrent can carry 16 M45 or M51 missiles with 6-10 TN75 thermonuclear warheads each. Its arsenal also includes 21-inch torpedo tubes used for attacking underwater targets.

Regarding nuclear submarines, we should also mention the United Kingdom, which, as an island nation, has significant opportunities to deploy a strong navy around its borders. This navy primarily relies on Vanguard-class nuclear submarines, which have been in service since the late 1990s. The British have four machines, each carrying up to 16 UGM-133 Trident II ballistic missiles. According to their military protocols, at least one Vanguard submarine must always be stationed in British waters.

The number of ships in NATO's service constantly changes because allied nations continuously improve their fleets. The same can be said for the Russian Federation, which, however, is systematically being weakened due to the war in Ukraine.