Nuclear submarine docks in Iceland
The presence of the submarine at the dock is a sign of strong defense cooperation between Iceland and the United States. Photo/Icelandic Coast Guard
A U.S. nuclear-powered submarine of the Los Angeles-class is docking today at Grundartangi in Hvalfjörður. This marks a historic event, as it is the first time a nuclear-powered submarine has entered an Icelandic harbor.
The presence of the submarine at the dock underscores the strong defense cooperation between Iceland and the United States, and simultaneously demonstrates Iceland’s ability to fulfill its commitments to both the U.S. and NATO.
The U.S. Navy operates three types of submarines: Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), Los Angeles, Seawolf, and Virginia-class attack submarines (SSN), and guided missile submarines (SSGN). The submarine in question is an SSN, whose primary mission is to destroy enemy submarines and ships.
Given the Icelandic government’s policy emphasis on keeping nuclear weapons out of the country, the arrival of Ohio-class submarines can be ruled out. These vessels are specifically designed to carry nuclear weapons—namely, 20 Trident nuclear missiles.
The U.S. submarines that have been serviced near Icelandic shores in recent years have all been attack submarines (SSN), and according to the Icelandic Defense Directorate, cooperation between the two countries has been very successful.
