Russia Uses Western Tech to Shield Its Nuclear Submarines, Investigation Reveals

For many years, Russia has been secretly purchasing Western technology to strengthen the defense of its fleet of nuclear submarines in the Arctic.

The Gaze reports on this, referring to The Washington Post.

With the help of a network of front companies, including Cyprus-based Mostrello Commercial Ltd., Moscow was able to create the Harmony underwater surveillance system, which covers the Barents Sea and other Arctic regions. 

This system helps Russian submarines avoid detection and ensures their ability to launch a nuclear strike in the event of a conflict with the U.S.

At the center of the scheme was Mostrello, acting as a front for the Russian military-industrial complex, purchasing sensitive equipment in the U.S. and Europe. It handled transactions with American manufacturers EdgeTech and R2Sonic, which supplied sonar systems and underwater sensors.

In addition, Norwegian defense contractor Kongsberg Gruppen planned to sell Mostrello an acoustic positioning system, but the deal was blocked by the Norwegian security service.

Documents show that deliveries included companies from the UK, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and other NATO countries. Although most companies claim they were unaware of the military purpose of the technology, some of the contracts showed signs of Russian involvement.

The deals were made through German addresses to avoid scrutiny, and the equipment ended up with the Russian company “Upravelenie Perspektivnyh Tecknologij” (UPT), affiliated with the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).

The equipment received — Western-made sonar, fiber optic cables, and underwater antennas — allows surveillance data to be transmitted to ground stations and helps Russian submarine commanders evade detection.

As The Gaze informed earlier, Russia conducted large-scale exercises with strategic nuclear weapons after postponing the summit between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, sending a clear signal of its unwillingness to seek peace.