Russian Navy News

03.01.2010 Russian MoD reports on Mistral's purpose
If Russia buys French amphibious helicopter carrier Mistral, the vessel will be used as command and control ship. Among other tasks of Mistral in Russian Navy are antisubmarine warfare, rescue people in emergencies, and transportation of people and cargo.

03.01.2010 BSF ships exercise in firing and landing operation
Black Sea Fleet (BSF) task unit sailed off naval bases in Sevastopol and Novorossiysk to conduct tactical training exercise. During the exercise crews trained in embarkation of landing troops, antisubmarine warfare and air defense.

03.01.2010 Russian Navy CIC: space supremacy is the key wartime advantage
Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky, Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief considers space and air supremacy as the key advantage of present and future wars. "One can't win without air and space domination. Those who understand that are on the right track".

03.01.2010 Russia has no plan to sign Mistral contract in March
Russia and France have no plans to sign Mistral purchase contract during visit of Russian president Dmitry Medvedev to Paris in March 1-3. Amphibious helicopter carrier Mistral with length about 200 meters is capable to carry six helicopters.

03.01.2010 New aircraft carrier may be launched by 2020 – Vysotsky
Russian lead aircraft carrier could be built and launched by 2020. Development work is in progress, technical project with ship's basic characteristics will be elaborated by the end of 2010 and then detailed design work will start. The ship will become an element of national missile, air and space defense.

02.26.2010 100th anniversary of Admiral Sergei Gorshkov
On Feb 26 Russian Navy celebrates 100th anniversary of known Soviet naval leader Sergei Gorshkov (1910-1988), Admiral of the Fleet, twice Hero of the Soviet Union. In Russia, his name is associated with creation of national ocean-going fleet and development of Soviet Navy. His scientific works on naval history, tactics and operational art are still of current interest.

02.26.2010 Medvedev explained the need for Mistral
Russia is interested to purchase advanced foreign weapons "with a view to learn and see what other countries produce", said Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. The question is sale of one helicopter carrier to Russia and three additional licenses permitting to build Mistral-class carriers at Russian yards.

02.25.2010 Russian tanker took the ground off Kazakhstan
Russian tanker Roskem-1 took the ground in Kazakhstan zone of the Caspian Sea. The tanker took the ground when choosing anchorage to wait for icebreaker assistance. No one suffered among the crewmembers.

02.24.2010 Deck-based MiG-29K fighters to be delivered for Navy
Deck-based fighters MiG-29K will be delivered for Russian Navy. In particular, MiG-29K fighters will be based on heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov alongside with Su-33 aircrafts.

02.24.2010 Number of Bulava's faulty launches is not critical - MoD
Seven faulty launches of sea-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Bulava can not be classified as critical since other arms have relatively same failure rate during tests. The missile carries 6-10 hypersonic independently-targetable nuclear warheads capable to perform pitch and roll maneuvers.

02.20.2010 SSN Ak Bars is on fire
Fire at dismantled Project 971 nuclear submarine K-480 Ak Bars has been brought under control. Cable routing ignited during gas cutting works at third compartment and concentrated smoke happened. The compartment was watered and all staff was evacuated.

02.19.2010 India to commission Russian MiG-29K deck-based fighters
Commission ceremony of Russian MiG-29K/KUB deck-based fighters will be held Friday at Indian naval base Hansa, Goa. The culmination of festivities will be airshow of Indian Navy aircrafts including Mig-29K piloted by Indian pilots trained in Russia.

02.19.2010 SSN Nerpa to be delivered on time – head of USC
SSN Nerpa is completing sea trials and will be delivered to the Navy as scheduled. Russian nuclear attack submarine is expected to be leased to India and as early as in May 2010 to be commissioned into Indian Navy.

02.19.2010 Yantar shipyard joined United Shipbuilding Corporation
United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) has finished share purchase of Baltic shipyard Yantar. This acquisition will make Yantar one of the key shipyards in surface shipbuilding. By estimate of USC leader, the shipyard would additionally employ about 1,000 workers.

02.18.2010 Future of two ships at Yantar shipyard is unclear
Directors of Baltic shipyard Yantar (Kaliningrad, OJSC Western Shipbuilding Center) has no information about the future of uncompleted Project 11540 frigate and training ship Borodino.

02.18.2010 In St. Petersburg, Navy HQ will be closer to the Navy – Chief of General Staff
General of the Army Nikolai Makarov, Chief of General Staff does not consider relocation of Navy HQ to St. Petersburg will negatively affect Navy command and control system. He stated that yesterday at the conference associated with military reformations.

02.18.2010 Sakhalin frontiersmen confiscated somewhat 10 tons of contraband crabs
Sakhalin frontiersmen released into natural habitat about 10 tons of live crabs found at Cambodian fishing schooner Volcano arrested on Feb 14. Amount of prevented damage made about 5 mln rub.

02.18.2010 Russia, Abkhazia agreed on joint naval base
Talks between Russian and Abkhazian presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Sergei Bagapsh held Wednesday in Kremlin resulted in agreement on joint naval base at Abkhazian territory. Last year Russia and Abkhazia signed 25 various treaties and cooperation agreements.

02.17.2010 Admiral Gorshkov to be delivered to Indian Navy late 2012 – FSMTC
Supplement agreement on aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov will be tied in Feb-March. The ship was supposed to be delivered late 2008. However, delivery terms of the carrier were postponed due to increased scope of works.

02.15.2010 Yanukovich has no notion to force out BSF
Viktor Yanukovich, the leader of Party of Regions who has become Ukrainian President elect, conceded prolongation of Russo-Ukrainian agreement of Black Sea Fleet deployed in Sevastopol. Agreement of BSF basing in Crimea was tied in 1997 for the term of 20 years.

02.15.2010 Reefer Tavria stuck in ice off Kamchatka reached open water
Transport reefer Tavria stuck in ice at the Bering Sea off Kamchatka coast reached open water area in Monday night. The vessel is expected to get free of ice in the nearest hours. The reefer is not squeezed by ice; 15-men crew is safe.

02.15.2010 India is about to buy extra parcel of Russian MiG-29 – media
India will probably sign a purchasing agreement for additional parcel of Russian fighters MiG-29K. Those aircrafts are supposed to shift obsolete British-made Sea Harrier fighters which are currently in service at Indian Navy.

02.12.2010 Russia to enlarge its icebreaker fleet
This year Russia plans to start construction of new-gen multipurpose double-draft nuclear-powered icebreaker with power of about 60 megawatt. New icebreaker will be capable to render ice-breaking assistance, perform salvage and rescue operations, and be used while oil spill response.

02.12.2010 Russian Coast Guard is ready to face Georgian vessels in Abkhazian waters
Russian Coast Guard is ready to prevent possible tension in Abkhazian territorial waters in case of Georgian ships appear in the area. Being a guarantor for peace and stability in the region, the mission of Russian frontiersmen is to shut out any escalation.

02.11.2010 OJSC Armalit-1 tied large defense orders for 2010
In 2010 OJSC Armalit-1 will provide a number of large deliveries of pipe fittings and valves for Russian warships. Among projects which will be supplied by the company's production are Yasen-class nuclear-powered subs and aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov (Vikramaditya).

02.11.2010 NATO takes note of Russia's plan to buy Mistral – Appathurai
NATO takes into consideration Russia's intention to purchase French helicopter carrier Mistral and "understands historical background for concern [about Russia's plan to buy Mistral] of some countries of the Alliance".

02.11.2010 Sevmash: building of new-gen subs is behind schedule
Construction of new generation submarines at Sevmash shipyard (Severodvinsk) is behind schedule. That was reported at the session of interagency coordinating group held at the shipyard. In total, the shipyard has built 128 nuclear-powered subs.

02.10.2010 Reefer Tavria stuck in ice off Kamchatka
Transport reefer Tavria stuck in ice to the east of Kamchatka coast. The ship is blocked in ice 25 km off Ossora settlement, Karaginsky district, although the vessel is not squeezed by ice; 15-men crew is safe and full of water, food and fuel resource; shipmaster has not asked for help. Along with ice floe the reefer is drifting towards the ocean and if the weather is not changed Tavria will free from the ice in 2-3 days.

02.10.2010 Fire on MV Alushta, sufferers
Fire occurred on motorship Alushta in Arkhangelsk and caused four sufferers has been extinguished. The fire started at 10.45 am was classified as third grade of complexity which is the highest one.

02.09.2010 France is ready to sell Mistral to Russia
France has approved export of one Mistral-class helicopter carrier to Russia and expects from Russian General Staff a technical inquiry for delivery of three more ships of that class. If Russia makes positive decision it will buy heli-carrier along with construction technologies.