Russian Navy News

03.30.2010 PF task unit reached the Horn of Africa
The fourth Pacific Fleet's (PF) task unit consisting of large ASW ship Marshal Shaposhnikov, ocean-going salvage tug and tanker Pechenga reached the Horn of Africa on Monday to participate in international anti-piracy efforts.

03.26.2010 Employees of Murmansk military enterprise went on hunger-strike
Twelve employees of enterprise subordinated to Northern Fleet (NF) Engineer Service went on hunger-strike. The strikers will keep themselves alive only by water. The reason of such action is that strikers have not got wages for a year.

03.26.2010 France won't sell armed Mistrals to Russia
French defense ministry said Thursday that in case of positive decision to sell Mistral-type helicopter carriers to Russia they would be delivered without armament. It discords with the speech of Nikolai Makarov, Chief of General Staff of Russian Armed Forces.

03.26.2010 Russia to help Vietnam create submarine base
Russian Navy will render assistance to Vietnamese Navy in construction of naval base for Vietnamese submarines. Vietnam also intends to purchase from Russia six Project 636 submarines, Molniya-type missile boats, Gepard-type frigates, and Su-30MK2 aircrafts.

03.26.2010 Subsequent upgrade of Russian secret sub
Subsequent modernization started at Russian classified diesel electric submarine B-90 Sarov. The sub falls into a category of so called test stations used for testing new and modernized weapons and various shipborne systems.

03.26.2010 In 2010 Sevmash will receive 55 mln RUR budgetary appropriations - Putin
In 2010 Sevmash shipyard will receive 55 mln RUR budgetary appropriations for equipment acquisition, said Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. He added that Russian government place high emphasis on development of shipbuilding industry.

03.25.2010 Caesar Kunikov to participate in BLACKSEAFOR exercise
Subsequent stage of exercise under activation of Black Sea operational coordination group BLACKSEAFOR will be conducted in April; Black Sea Fleet (BSF) large landing ship Caesar Kunikov will take part in the exercise.

03.25.2010 Russia to submit data about new Club-M missile system
Rosoboronexport and Morinformsistema-AGAT corporation for the first time in Middle East will present information about missile systems Club at Qatar defense show. 2nd international maritime defense exhibition DIMDEX-2010 will be held in Doha (Qatar) in March 29-31. About 130 exhibitors from 30 countries are expected to participate.

03.25.2010 NF delegates paid official visit to Brest
Northern Fleet's (NF) delegation headed by Vice Admiral Nikolai Maksimov, NF Commander paid an official visit to Brest. The invitation was extended by Vice Admiral d'Escadre Anne-Francois de Saint Salvy, Commander of Atlantic Fleet, French Navy.

03.25.2010 Delegation from town of Sarov made patronage visit to same-named sub
Deputy director of Russian Research Institute of Experimental Physics and president of Sarov City Council's audit chamber brought gifts to crew of submarine Sarov from patron city and Nuclear center.

03.24.2010 PF mariners pass next exam at sea
Pacific Fleet (PF) divisions started to carry out course tasks. First who took the sea were large ASW ships Admiral Tributs and Admiral Vinogradov. In accordance with results of drills, actions of all commanders and staffs will be appraised.

03.24.2010 BSF is offered to switch into anti-piracy
Crimean naval base of Russia's Black Sea Fleet (BSF) should be transformed into International Antiterror Center, says Ukrainian expert. According to him, the naval base has been and will be the source of conflict situations.

03.24.2010 Russian government appropriates 1.6 bln RUR to increase authorized capital of USC
Russian government assigns 1.6 bln RUR of budgetary appropriations to increase authorized capital of United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) by additional stock flotation. That appropriation is based on decree signed by Russian premier Vladimir Putin in accordance with federal budget 2010.

03.23.2010 Zvezdochka to upgrade fifth Indian diesel electric sub
Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center (Severodvinsk) will upgrade fifth diesel electric submarine for Indian Navy. Zvezdochka experts have already performed troubleshooting and certification of Project 877EKM diesel electric sub Sindurakshak.

03.23.2010 Russian arms exports to Vietnam has grown in 3.5 times
At year-end of 2009 export volume of Russian arms and military equipment to Vietnam made $3.5 bln. In comparison to 2008, export of Russian weapons to the Asian country has grown in 3.5 times.

03.23.2010 Russia is about to maintain the Ukrainian sub
Russia will help to equip Zaporizhzhia, the only submarine in Ukrainian Navy. Diesel submarine Zaporizhzhia was built in 1970. Throughout service in Soviet Navy, she covered 13,000 nautical miles, carried out 14 cruises, and won Navy Commander's Prize for torpedo firing.

03.23.2010 Holiday without frontiers: Ukrainian and BSF mariners at May 9 parade
Russia's Black Sea Fleet mariners and servicemen of Ukrainian Navy will traditionally march together at May 9 Parade. Over 1,400 men will be involved in Sevastopol parade, including 757 Black Sea Fleet servicemen and 649 Ukrainian mariners.

03.22.2010 India commissioned MiG-29K/KUB fighters
Indian Navy commissioned first parcel of deck-based fighters MiG-29K/KUB. Triumphant ceremony took place at naval base Hansa, India. Deck-based fighters MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB are 4++ generation all-weather multirole aircrafts.

03.22.2010 Yasen-project sub to start trials in 2010
Trials of Yasen-class SSN will be launched in 2010. Project 885 Yasen is Russian 4th generation nuclear-powered attack submarines armed with cruise missiles. According to Russian military, Yasen has no analogs in our country and in the world either.

03.22.2010 Eight Borei-class subs to be commissioned under state arms program 2007-2015
Russian Navy and particularly submarine force which turned 104 on Friday are getting new nuclear-powered and diesel submarines with new characteristics. It is planned to launch full-scale production and to commission eight Borei-class SSBNs.

03.19.2010 Bulava tests are scheduled in late June – Russian Navy
Russian Navy command planned out subsequent test cycle of SLBM Bulava in late June to be launched both by experimental submarine Dmitry Donskoy and standard carrier SSBN Yury Dolgoruky. SLBM Bulava-30 is expected to become the basis of sea component of strategic nuclear forces.

03.19.2010 Russian submariners celebrate their holiday
Submariners' Day is celebrated in Russia. 104 years ago Maritime Ministry of the Russian Empire issued a decree declaring submarines as independent class of warships. Crewmen of SSBN Svyatoi Georgy Pobedonosets celebrate their professional holiday along with colleagues.

03.18.2010 SSBN Novomoskovsk to be launched after upgrade in Nov
Northern Fleet's nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) K-407 Novomoskovsk in Nov 2010 will be launched after interim overhaul and modernization at Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center (Severodvinsk). Thereby Severodvinsk shipbuilders will complete upgrading of the whole series of Project 677BDRM nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.

03.18.2010 Russian MoD prepares for the year's largest exercise Vostok-2010
Officers of Army HQ departed for Siberian and Far East Military Commands to conduct reconnaissance of potential site for active phase of operational-strategic exercise Vostok-2010. Pacific Fleet will participate in maneuvers.

03.18.2010 Landing operation was trained at Novorossiysk
Over 30 vehicles and 400 troopers took part in landing from Black Sea Fleet (BSF) ships within the framework of tactical exercise held near Novorossiysk; the operation was similar to landing carried out in Aug 2008 in Abkhazia and during peacekeeping operation in Kosovo.

03.17.2010 Far East shipyards completed Russo-Japanese submarine utilization program
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 A moneymaker illegally utilized subs in Severodvinsk
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.

03.16.2010 Patrol ship Gepard built for Vietnam to be launched in Tatarstan
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 BSF marines train seizure of Crimea
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 Ukrainian expert: Russia buys Mistral to split NATO
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.