Meeting on Mini-Submarines
On Tuesday November 12, JINSA hosted Dr. Giunio Santi, one of the pre-eminent experts on the strategic and tactical war fighting use of mini-submarines. Mini-subs are used not only in Europe and by the Russian Navy Special Forces, but also by China, India, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria and the PLO.
On Tuesday November 12, JINSA hosted Dr. Giunio Santi, one of the pre-eminent experts on the strategic and tactical war fighting use of mini-submarines. Mini-subs are used not only in Europe and by the Russian Navy Special Forces, but also by China, India, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria and the PLO.
Mini-subs are an ideal terrorist weapon. Utilizing proven combat technology, crew training equivalent only to that of helicopter pilots, and a new generation of air-independent propulsion, a mini-submarine with a small commando unit can enter harbors and channels undetected to commit acts of war or terrorism. Such submarines, and there are a dozen of models produced by a number of firms, utilize commercially available, off-the-shelf equipment for all functions, with the exception of the weapons themselves. In addition to their commando crew and torpedo load, mini-subs can carry “side cars” of additional weapons or explosive material.
Dr. Santi told the JINSA audience — comprised largely of active-duty Naval officers and members of the American defense and intelligence community – that the considerable range of the subs would make it possible for one launched from Colombia to pass Cuba and sail into U.S. waters. (They make excellent drug smuggling vehicles – one participant was unsure that the U.S. could detect one sailing up the Mississippi River.) One of the larger versions of mini-sub launched from a ship north of Cyprus would be able to cover the entire length of the coast of Lebanon, Israel and down to Egypt without surfacing.
An additional twist is that, supported by a modified submerged barge, two subs can be supported for six months out at sea. The barges, according to Dr. Santi, are commercially available, are made by many countries, and can look when in transit as if they are filled with coal. He added that the barges require very little outside surface support because they are served by closed-cycle diesel engines. “If you are in the offshore oil business, you can have a cover (for supporting mini-submarines). Anyone who buys a closed-cycle engine can build the barge.” A participant added that the closed-cycle diesel engine is not considered a weapon, so any country, including those restricted in their arms purchasing capabilities – Iran, Libya, etc. – can buy them.
Iran, in fact, has a number of mini-submarines. Pakistan bought new ones from an Italian company and it is rumored that the country’s older ones were sold to Iran. An additional rumor is that North Korea’s older mini-subs were also sold to Iran.
“The issue is terrorism,” said Dr. Santi. “Terrorism requires countries to supply the capability. We have to make it not worth the while of the sponsors to support terrorism.” Understanding the capabilities of those countries, including mini-submarines, is a first step.