With their fast speed and excellent diving ability, bottlenose dolphins can effectively detect and thwart underwater attacks aimed at Russian naval bases.
Bottlenose dolphins are intelligent marine animals. (Photo: Sky News).
The Russian military employs bottlenose dolphins to protect the Black Sea naval base in Sevastopol. These specially trained marine creatures safeguard this crucial military base from approaching divers, as they can detect and alert trainers thanks to their speed and diving capabilities. According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the number of dolphin training pens has recently increased, indicating a growing trend of using intelligent animals for military purposes, as reported by Tech Times on July 2.
An additional layer of defense for the Sevastopol naval base is provided by dolphins. The base is surrounded by mine netting, submarine deterrent systems, and missile launch pads. Should intruders bypass these defenses, they would face the formidable barrier of monitoring dolphins. Not only do these dolphins effectively warn of intruders underwater, but they can also tag them for easier identification. Currently, it is estimated that there are seven dolphins operating in the port area, ready to navigate the site through sparse wooden barrels.
Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, the Black Sea naval base has become a target for several drone attacks, prompting Russia to enhance security measures, including incorporating dolphins into its defense strategy. Sevastopol in Crimea holds strategic importance for Russia. This base houses Russian warships that are safe from missile attacks but vulnerable to underwater strikes.
Due to the ability of dolphins to detect underwater objects using sonar during the Cold War, both the U.S. and the Soviet Union explored ways to utilize whales. With a budget of nearly $28 million, the U.S. continued research into using whales and seals to assist military operations. Marine creatures have a natural talent for identifying underwater hazards compared to robots, despite significant recent advancements in military technology.
In 2012, the U.S. Navy planned to cease the use of marine mammals and replace them with robots. Authorities allocated over $90 million for research into providing military robots in 2017. However, the robotic systems have yet to be deployed. According to the U.S. Navy’s website, while underwater drones can perform missions, current technology cannot compete with the unique capabilities of marine creatures.
The swimming talent of bottlenose dolphins (29 km/h) makes them well-known. Even the most skilled divers cannot match the dolphins’ agility, allowing them to effectively repel underwater attacks. There is evidence that the Russian military uses dolphins in areas beyond Sevastopol, such as the naval port of Tartus in Syria. Additionally, the Russian military is suspected of training beluga whales off the coast of Norway, with local fishermen having spotted a whale wearing a harness that could be used to attach a camera.
