Piracy and terrorism are Russian Navy's main challenges - Suchkov

12.10.2010 Nowadays, piracy and terrorism are main challenges for Russian Navy, reported PortNews citing ADM Gennady Suchkov, defense minister's adviser.

According to Suchkov, anti-piracy and anti-terror activities require building of frigates. Nonetheless, Russian Navy should develop in a well-balanced way without "tilts" towards any type of ships, added the admiral.

Gennady Suchkov was born in 1947. He graduated from Frunze Naval School, Naval Higher Officer Courses, Naval Academy named after Marshal of the Soviet Union A.A. Grechko, Higher Courses of General Staff Academy. He has been commanding officer of various submarines, headed submarine brigade and submarine squadron. He held the posts of Black Sea Fleet Deputy Commander, Pacific Fleet Commander, and Northern Fleet Commander.

In 2004 he was conditionally sentenced to four years of imprisonment with a 2-year probation period on the charge of negligence resulted in death of K-159 nuclear submarine crew members.

In 2005 he was appointed defense minister's adviser.

Gennady Suchkov is the president of International Naval Veterans Association since Dec 2007.

He is the awardee of 3 orders and 13 medals, honorary citizen of the town of Polyarny. Married, has two children.