Caspian Flotilla turned 228

15.11.2010 Russia's Caspian Flotilla (CF) celebrates 228th anniversary on November 15.

According to CF Commander RADM Sergei Alekminsky, current task of the flotilla is to maintain its operability after staff reforms related with integration of CF with Southern Military District.

The flotilla has no experienced personnel reserve; there are no permanent commanders in CF units, since officers do not want to occupy such important positions. Social welfare problems of servicemen and their families are also need to be resolved.

Nonetheless, CF begins the new year of its life with some certain achievements. For example, among the units excellently performing their duties, Alekminsky mentioned two marine battalions, landing ships' unit, missile ship Tatarstan, small-size gun ship Astrakhan, search and rescue service, 43rd district of hydrographic service, and counter-diversionist unit. Personnel of these units displayed high naval professionalism during the training year of 2010.

It is planned to reinforce the flotilla with new ships in the nearest future. In 2011-2012 it will receive new ships with standard launchers for high precision long-range cruise missiles, multifunctional weapons control systems, and other advanced arms and equipment. The flotilla's modernization program implies supplementation of missile system Uran with new missile system Kalibr. Two Project 21630 Buyan small-sized gun ships and the second Project Dugon air-cavity landing boat are under construction. Some ships and boats of Caspian Flotilla undergo modernization. Rearmament of coastal defense units will be also continued, said Alekminsky in the interview to Krasnaya Zvezda.

We recall that the ex-commander of Caspian Flotilla RADM Viktor Kravchuk said in Nov 2007 that the flotilla would replace 85 per cent of ships by 2016.

Alekminsky became CF Commander late in Sept 2010, having shifted Viktor Kravchuk who was appointed Baltic Fleet Deputy Commander.

Since Feb 2008 Alekminsky had been deputy commander of Far East combined forces, Pacific Fleet (PF). Early on, he headed PF 217th electronic warfare regiment. In 2009 he was a cruise commander of PF task unit consisted of large ASW ship Admiral Tributs, tanker Boris Butoma, and salvage tug MB-99 deployed off the Horn of Africa.

Caspian Flotilla is a maritime component of Southern Military District. It is based in Astrakhan and maintains Russia's national interests in the Caspian Sea, i.e. conducts anti-terror activities, secures merchant shipping, and protects state interests within the zone of oil deposits. It was founded by Peter the Great in 1722. Today, the flotilla comprises several surface ships brigades and divisions, aviation units, and coastal defense troops. Following units are based in Kaspiysk Naval Base: 106th harbor defense ship brigade, 327th Guard surface ships division, 242nd landing ships division; 77th Guard marine brigade has been disbanded. Missile boats division is based in Astrakhan; marine unit and CF flagship missile ship Tatarstan are stationed in Makhachkala.