US Navy’s largest nuclear submarine enters Mediterranean Sea

US Naval Forces Europe and Africa said in the statement.

"The US Navy's Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) arrived in Gibraltar for scheduled port visit on November 1, 2022", the document said.

John Craddock, commander of US Task Force 69, emphasized that such a visit reinforces firm commitment to supporting allies in Europe.

USS Rhode Island submarine is the world's largest underwater carrier of nuclear weapons. It can carry 24 Trident II intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 18,000 km with a maximum speed of more than 23,000 km/h.

La Repubblica writes this submarine alone may have between 150 and 200 nuclear warheads. The publication assumes that the appearance of the submarine is a "message to the Kremlin."

"Rhode Island floated three days ago in the British port of Gibraltar. Since it can float under water for months without being detected, the decision to show it demonstrates readiness of the Americans to send a signal to the Kremlin", French publication said.