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Photo: BSF flagship Guard missile cruiser Moskva. Gary Davies, Royal Navy
Moscow has a right to double the number of Black Sea Fleet (BSF) ships based in Sevastopol, writes Krasnaya Zvezda, Russian defense ministry's official newspaper.
Combat Capability [42%],
Role and Missions,
Structure of the Navy,
in-service ships, surface ships, submarines, chronology.
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Black Sea Fleet has a right to double number of warships
10/29/2010 |
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Currently, Black Sea Fleet numbers about 40 warships. BSF manpower is about 18,000 servicemen.
Defense ministry says that "Russian-Ukrainian framework agreements grant Black Sea Fleet with the right to have over 100 warships of any classes and to increase manpower up to 25,000 in Crimea", reported New Region.
Previously, Ukraine's foreign ministry did not permit to increase number of BSF ships. As was said by Oleg Voloshin, the head of Information Policy Dept, negotiations related to BSF reinforcement would be based on "generic principle – same class and same type – and we will decisively stand on this".
Nevertheless, deputy chairman of parliamentary committee for foreign affairs Leonid Kozhara said that BSF could expand its presence in Crimea if Russia comes to terms with Ukraine.
Note that Russian defense minister said at CIS Defense Ministerial on Oct 20 that Russia and Ukraine were about to sign an agreement providing reinforcement of Black Sea Fleet. In exchange, Russia will inform Ukraine of BSF manpower, weapons, and strength.