Ohio-Class Submarine Capable Of Firing Nuclear Missiles Arrives in the Middle East

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed the arrival of one of its Ohio-class submarines in its Area of Responsibility (AOR), intensifying existing tensions in an already precarious region.

The Biden administration has yet to release an official statement.

“On November 5, 2023, an Ohio-class submarine arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility,” U.S. Central Command wrote on X/Twitter.

On November 5, 2023, an Ohio-class submarine arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. pic.twitter.com/iDgUFp4enp

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 5, 2023

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR) encompasses an expansive region, spanning over 4 million square miles and extending from Northeast Africa across the Middle East to Central and South Asia.

This includes 21 countries: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman Pakistan Qatar Saudi Arabia Syria Tajikistan Turkmenistan United Arab Emirates (UAE), Uzbekistan and Yemen.

Source: U.S. Central Command

The Ohio-class submarine is a class of nuclear-powered submarines operated by the United States Navy. Measuring 560 feet long and 42 feet wide, they are the largest submarines ever built by the U.S. Navy, with a displacement of 18,750 tons when submerged.

These vessels have been equipped with nuclear weapons; 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) carry approximately half of the United States’ active strategic thermonuclear warheads, capable of devastating destruction on a global scale.

An unarmed Trident II (D5LE) missile launches from Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741)
by Official U.S. Navy Imagery

The Ohio-class submarine is a nuclear-powered submarine used by the United States Navy. It has multiple roles, including:

• Strategic deterrence: The Ohio-class submarine was designed for extended strategic deterrent patrols. The goal of strategic deterrence is to dissuade adversaries from launching a nuclear attack.
• Ballistic missile submarine: The Ohio-class submarine carries twenty four submarine launched ballistic missiles that could destroy fourteen separate targets each with near pinpoint accuracy from 7,000 miles away.
• Special operations: The Ohio-class submarine can covertly insert Special Operations Forces.
• Spying: The Ohio-class submarine can spy.
• Sinking ships and other subs: The Ohio-class submarine can sink ships and other subs.