CNS Programs: NISNPReducing the Threat Posed by Russian Nuclear SubmarinesA key emerging problem in Russia is the failure of existing assistance programs to address the growing problem of decommissioned but not dismantled Russian nuclear attack submarines. Over 140 of these vessels now sit idly in various Russian harbors, most of them with still fully fueled nuclear reactors. Although these vessels must be regularly maintained and monitored to prevent a reactor incident, an increasingly pressing threat is the danger that these submarines may sink, as many have been moored for over 10 years. Russia may also decide to sell some of these vessels or, in case of a worsening of U.S.-Russian relations, to recommission some of the more recently decommissioned boats. Given the fact that all of the vessels are capable of carrying nuclear-tipped cruise missiles or torpedoes, these risks are grounds for serious concern. For the past several years, NISNP has been a leader in the study and analysis of Russia's nuclear fleet. Dr. Clay Moltz, Ms. Cristina Chuen, and Dr. Nikolai Sokov together handled more than 60 interviews during the Kursk crisis in August 2000, and provided information on the CNS website that became one of the top five sites on Yahoo.com during the crisis. Dr. Moltz published Op-Eds during the crisis in the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times. In December 2000, NISNP organized a first-of-its-kind meeting in Washington, DC, to bring together government officials from several countries (the United States, Russia, Norway, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands) concerned about this problem in an off-the-record session to discuss possible policy options. The meeting resulted in some concrete suggestions for a division of labor in the assistance area that may facilitate near-term action to begin dismantling these "at risk" submarines.
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