:rotfl:
Benefit in technology transfer and training from the UK. The tech transfer I give you but training. Hmmm not just being patriotic but why do many of the world's navies send thier submarine officers to the RN perisher course, and that includes the US sending a couple. Maybe because it is one of the toughest in the world.
As for the tech, I am extremely confident that the Astute will be a technological equal to the Virginia class.
Don't forget that in the cold war, it was the Special fit S Boats and T boats that were preferred up in the Barents, more suited to the SIGINT mission than the 688s. Also being a bit smaller I reckon they were more useful closer to shore.
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