[MUSIC] The marine component of a nuclear triad is a submarine force. These forces are regarded as the most reliable means of nuclear deterrence. We will talk about nuclear deterrence a little bit later this week, but let's first talk about submarines. Submarines can be atomic or diesel-electric. The early submarines had a very limited range. Nuclear power submarine can patrol oceans for months. They have big autonomial systems almost like a small town. The crew is well trained to sustain persistently certain physical and psychological strains. Modern Russian submarine is about 170 meters long, and has a crew of more than 100 men. Modern submarines have everything necessary to stay at sea for up to three months. It takes a lot of time to develop and build a submarine. Usually submarine service time is 25 to 30 years. And periodically submarines need to be repaired and modernized. And for short period of time it is out of service, so one submarine will not be enough to compose a marine component of a nuclear triad. Strategic nuclear forces include nuclear submarines which carry ballistic or cruise missiles. The first ballistic missiles deployed on board of Russian nuclear submarines had a range of just 600 kilometers. So the old submarines needed to patrol very close to the shores of potential adversary. And of course it was not safe. The submarines were vulnerable to adversary's forces. Modern ballistic missiles deployed on nuclear submarines have range of about 9,000 kilometers. So a submarine can patrol closer to home shores being protected by National Air Defense and Navy. Let's now look at the advantages of modern nuclear submarines. They can stay on patrol for month and be submerged for a very long time. That makes them very difficult to detect and destroy. They can also carry a large arsenal. For example, modern Russian strategic bomber can carry up to 12 single warheaded cruise missiles. While on board of new modern Russian submarine, 16 ballistic missiles are deployed, each with 7, 10 nuclear warheads. And all of the missiles can be launched in just two minutes. As you remember, all components of nuclear triad have the disadvantages. So what are the weaknesses of the submarines? To begin with, it's a very complicated and expensive technological system. It is expensive in production, exploitation and upkeeping. Submarines need specific infrastructure, which is also very expensive and technologically complicated. Secondly, contemporary development of military technologies makes nuclear submarines much more vulnerable. Contemporary hydro-acoustic systems, satellites, and other reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities combined with precision guided munitions make it much easier to detect and then destroy a nuclear submarine on patrol. In such situation, the big arsenal concentrated in one submarine becomes huge disadvantage. If a submarine is detected it is easier to destroy this whole arsenal with one strike and all these expensive and powerful weapons will be gone.