Navy

03/17/2010 Far East defense shipyard Zvezda (at Bolshoi Kamen) has completed realization of Russo-Japanese project associated with utilization of five nuclear-powered submarines decommissioned from Pacific Fleet (PF).

03/16/2010 Russia buys vulnerable and unsuitable for its navy French helicopter carrier Mistral pursuing numerous objectives; one of them is to provoke discord within NATO. As is known, some allies have protested against sale of the landing ships to Moscow.

03/16/2010 Black Sea Fleet (BSF) marines conduct an exercise in Crimea. Main objective of the exercise is to train landing and seizure of the coast occupied by "enemy". Some experts connect probable procurement of French helicopter carrier Mistral with Russia's intentions to reinforce Black Sea Fleet.

03/16/2010 Second patrol ship Gepard built for Vietnam will be launched today in Tatarstan. The warship constructed by Zelenodolsk shipyard will be triumphantly launched from slipway to Volga River. Gepard is designed for protection and patrolling of national sea borders.

03/16/2010 A local businessman illegally utilized decommissioned subs for two years was convicted in Severodvinsk. He used to work at defense shipyard Zvezdochka and his activities "might cause negative repercussions", FSB said.

03/15/2010 On March 12 international observers completed their work at Baltic Fleet; representatives of Germany, Great Britain and Latvia conducted aerial survey over Russian territory within the framework of Open Skies Treaty.

03/15/2010 Russian crewmembers of seiner Thai Union-3 recently released from pirates have returned to Russia by transit flight through Seychelles and Qatar. The ship's complement spent over four months as captives at Somali pirate base.

03/15/2010 Russia ranks second in world's conventional arms export rating over a period of 2005-2009. The U.S. tops the rating of arms exporters occupying 30% of the market. Top-five list except the U.S. and Russia includes Germany, France and the UK.

03/15/2010 Delivery contract of Russian deck-based MiGs to India is evaluated as $1.5 bln. Totally, India intends to purchase 29 aircrafts. Presumably, MiGs will be based on aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov which is expected to be handed over in 2012.

03/11/2010 Baltic Fleet frigate Neustrashimy is presently several cables away from tunaboat Thai Union 3 released from pirate captivity and escorted by BSF tugboat SB-36. Tugboat SB-36 and seiner Thai Union 3 are expected to reach territorial waters of Seychelles on March 11.

03/11/2010 Russia and India agreed in new price for aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov and soon will sign all documents specifying conclusive delivery terms. "We are about to sign appropriate agreements in the nearest future", said Indian Ambassador to Russia.

03/11/2010 Three Russian sailors died in March 9-10 at Greek tanker Arionas in La Manche strait. As for the shipmaster, the cause was food poisoning. Tanker Arionas was sailing from Libya to Rotterdam but had to call at the port of Le Havre.

03/11/2010 French AAW frigate Chevalier Paul will visit Severomorsk on March 30 and take part in joint drill with a Northern Fleet's warship. Visit of French frigate to Northern Fleet main base will last till Apr 3, said French Navy Commander-in-Chief.

03/11/2010 Annual naval exercise FRUKUS-2010 will be conducted off British coast. Warships of four countries – the U.S., Great Britain, France and Russia take part in traditional annual exercise. Present-day FRUKUS maneuvers are full of new and complicated tasks.

03/11/2010 Most of Ukrainian experts consider Russia's Black Sea Fleet should be withdrawn from Crimea in 2017. In particular, this opinion is shared by 66.1% experts who nonetheless insist on the importance of strict adherence to corresponding bilateral agreements.

03/11/2010 Project development of new-gen stealth destroyer for Russian Navy has been recently started. Prospective ship which project number has not been appointed yet will be a multifunctional vessel; that will affect the ship's armament.

03/11/2010 Russian and French warships countering piracy off Somalia actively exchange information for better coordination of their activity. However, the most critical problem for the moment is legislation issues, says French Navy Commander-in-Chief.

03/10/2010 Festivities related to 50th anniversary of the oldest post-war sub remaining afloat S-189 took place on March 9 at Lt. Schmidt Embankment in St. Petersburg. S-189 represents the most numerous project of post-war period which constituted the basis of Soviet submarine force.

03/10/2010 Defense shipyard Sevmash (Severodvinsk) which performs repair and modernization of Indian aircraft carrier Vikramaditya (former Russian Admiral Gorshkov) asked Ukrainian shipbuilders who made the carrier to share experience.

03/10/2010 In April shipbuilders of Admiralteiskiye Verfi shipyard (St. Petersburg) plan to deliver two Kilo-class diesel electric submarines (Project 636) built for export. Such submarines are in great demand at international market.

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