Defusing The Kursk

BdosError writes: "The Kursk (the Russian nuclear sub that sank 14 months ago) has finally surfaced, in its dry dock. New Scientist has the story. It's minus the nose/torpedo section, which was left on the sea floor as a safety precaution. Now, they have to remove the cruise missiles and defuel the nuclear reactors so that they can begin their investigation. The nose section will have to be raised later to complete the investigation."

Comments

decommissioning the nuclear fleet?

[DuctTape]

(from the article) Every effort will be made to avoid jeopardising military security, says Pranning, but it seems likely that this decommissioning project could set the framework for the future decommissioning of Russia's entire nuclear fleet.

Um, shall we take it that this means that this is going to be a trial run for how the Russian nuclear submarine fleet will eventually be decommissioned, or does it herald the decommissioning of their entire nuclear submarine fleet here Real Soon Now? If so, then why?

Re:decommissioning the nuclear fleet?

[Mr.Phil]

If it were my guess, the cost of operating the subs is more than the Russian Military can handle. The more time that goes by, there doesn't seem to be a future in a large Soviet style military in Russia's future needed to fight a large enemy like the USA. Given how friendly Putin and GW Bush have been of late, I doubt the expense of operating the subs is equal to the benifit they offer.

Of course, this all conjecture.

Re:Buying a Nuclear Submarine

[Mr.Phil]

I don't see any country (or the UN) letting Russia "sell" nuclear subs to anyone, let alone civilians. Of course, stranger things have happened, example Mr Tito.

Re:Motivation behind the salvage?

[Mr.Phil]

it's too bad the mods aren't in this section. that's the funniest thing I've read on here in the last week.