Kiev's air cover supports diesel-submarine bastions

Kiev's Forger fighters contest airspace over the bastions, while Badger, Blinder and Backfire bombers provide the main strike force. Enemy aircraft need not find every submarine to reduce its effectiveness: persistent patrols constrain movement and make it harder for diesel boats to snorkel and recharge. Diesel submarines defend the bastions as quiet ambushers on battery power, while nuclear boats operate farther out against convoys in the North Atlantic. Fighters and escort surface-to-air missiles help keep the air contested so the diesel boats can maintain that defensive presence.