The World - News from Sept. 13, 1989

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization faces its greatest threat from Moscow’s huge submarine fleet, which could block U.S. reinforcements for Europe after a Soviet invasion, says a new book on underwater warfare. “A (Soviet) nuclear submarine is launched every seven weeks and a conventional type every 10 weeks, although the latter are mainly for export,” said Bernard Blake, editor of “Jane’s Underwater Warfare Systems 1989-90.” In a foreword to the book, published today, he said the Soviet submarine fleet is nearly double the size of NATO’s and numbers 350 vessels with more than 100 in reserve.