The inherited submarine force suffered from the same material weakness as the surface fleet, with less margin for error. Spare parts and reliable seals were especially difficult for Soviet crews to obtain. Their risks invited comparison with those faced by early British and German submariners, while going to sea in the Soviet boats demanded exceptional courage or desperation. Small industrial components could decide whether an undersea fleet was safe enough to operate.
Notable Point · 24:58-26:09
Submarine crews paid for shortages in seals and spares
Poor access to spare parts and quality seals made operating Soviet submarines in the 1920s an unusually hazardous service.