US Navy deploys guided missile submarine to Middle East amidst escalating Gaza conflict

In a significant development, the US military announced the deployment of an Ohio-class guided missile submarine to the Middle East. The move is seen as a strategic response to the growing threat of regional escalation.

The US Central Command revealed the presence of the submarine within its domain of authority. While the specific submarine's identity was not disclosed in the announcement, it is known that the US Navy possesses four Ohio-class guided missile submarines (SSGNs) capable of launching advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. 

Signaling to regional adversaries 

Military observers and experts speculate that this disclosure is intended to send a clear message to adversaries in the region, with a particular focus on Iran and its alleged proxies like Hezbollah. These groups have issued threats of escalation in response to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, especially involving Israel. 

The timing of this submarine deployment coincides with an escalation in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has conducted extensive bombardments in response to attacks by Hamas. The announcement also comes as Gaza experiences a communication blackout and a rising death toll. It is relatively rare for the US Navy to publicly disclose the location of its submarines due to security concerns. Such announcements are typically made when regional tensions are on the rise.  

The US's show of military force is accompanied by diplomatic efforts at the highest levels. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is embarking on a diplomatic mission to engage with regional leaders, including those from the West Bank, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, and Cyprus. 

Lethal capabilities of Ohio-Class SSGNs 

There are two variants of Ohio-class submarines: those equipped with guided missiles like the Tomahawk cruise missile and those armed with nuclear-capable ballistic missiles. The conversion of four Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) into guided missile submarines (SSGNs) was carried out between 2002 and 2008.  

SSGNs possess extensive stealth capabilities, allowing them to operate in close proximity to an adversary's home base. They can launch surprise attacks and deploy Special Operations Forces covertly. Each Ohio-class SSGN can carry up to 154 Tomahawk land-attack missiles (TLAMs) in vertical launching systems (VLS), significantly enhancing their offensive capabilities.