Russian Navy establishes a distant zone command

23.03.2011 A distant zone command for anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean will be established in Russian Navy by 2013, reports Interfax referring to a source in Navy Main HQ.

"New operative squadron will secure Russian commercial shipping and fight piracy off the Horn of Africa on the permanent basis", pointed out the source.

Issues of logistic support needed for the future naval grouping are being currently studied; experts analyze variants of temporary basing of Russian warships abroad.

According to the source, Black Sea Fleet assets would constitute the basis of the new task force. Its prototypes are 5th Mediterranean Squadron (Soviet Navy) and 8th Operative Squadron (Indian Navy).

The source reminded that Soviet squadron was based in Tartus, Syria; Indian squadron used Yemeni island Socotra as one of its basing sites. Today, Tartus base being maintained by 50 Russian servicemen is the only Russian naval station located far abroad.

First Russian warship dispatched to fight piracy was Baltic Fleet frigate Neustrashimy. The ship had been securing merchant shipping in the region since Oct 2008 till Jan 2009. From that time warships of all four Russian fleets take part in the anti-piracy campaign by rotation. At present, this mission is performed by Pacific Fleet task force consisting of large ASW ship Admiral Vinogradov, sea-going salvage tug SB-522, and tanker Pechenga.

According to International Maritime Bureau, Somali pirates currently hold over 500 hostages and 20 vessels.