Russian Navy News

12/21/2009
SSBN K-18 Karelia completed sea trials
Northern Fleet's SSBN K-18 Karelia has completed sea trials program after overhaul and modernization at Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center. The sub is expected to depart for permanent basing site by the end of 2009.

12/18/2009
Kiev blocks renovation of BSF by direction of the US and Turkey
Moscow expects new President of Ukraine to permit replacement of Black Sea Fleet's old sips. Viktor Yushchenko hinders that process by direction of the US and Turkey which are uninterested in Russia's strengthening at the Black Sea.

12/18/2009
Putin to discuss supplying of Navy with new equipment
Today Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin held a meeting at Admiralteyskie Verfi shipyard in St. Petersburg. The subject is supplying of Navy with modern arms and equipment in the context of Russian Armed Forces reformation.

12/18/2009
India to pay $2.3 bln for Admiral Gorshkov
Russia and India agreed in final cost of overhaul and upgrade of aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov which will be renamed into Vikramaditya while in Indian Navy. According to agreement, total cost of works will make $2.3 bln, including $722 mln already paid by India.

12/18/2009
Far East naval bases are fully supplied with provisions – Navy official
Almost 100,000 tonnes cargo were delivered to naval bases at North, Arctic and Far East regions in 2009; 100% of supply plan has been fulfilled. Sailors delivered over 44,000 tonnes of provisions and equipment and over 55,000 tonnes of fuel and lubrication materials.

12/17/2009
Problem kids visited Admiral Kuznetsov
Northern Fleet's heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Kuznetsov recently hosted unusual guests – it was visited by educatees of orphan asylums and disadvantaged children.

12/16/2009
Keel-laying of fourth Borei-class sub is postponed to first quarter 2010
Keel-laying of fourth Project 955 Borei SSBN Svyatitel Nikolai is postponed from Dec to first quarter of 2010, though the project is not frozen. Some media sources reported of possible postpone due to failed test launches of SLBM Bulava which is planned to be basic weapon of the project's subs.

12/16/2009
Russian Navy to continue development of SLBM Bulava – Navy CIC
Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky considers development of SLBM Bulava should continue despite the missile's recent test failure. The Navy CIC denied replacement of Bulava with another missile. It is planned that SLBM Bulava will constitute the basis of perspective Russian strategic nuclear force till 2040-2045.

12/15/2009
MoD confuted suspension of Project Borei
Keel of fourth Project 955/955A Borei nuclear-powered submarine will be laid on Dec 22, 2009 as scheduled. New sub will be named Svyatitel Nikolai and laid down at Sevmashpredpriyatie shipyard. So far, Ministry of Defense has not considered time displacement for Project Borei implementation.

12/15/2009
Russian know-how is able to turn cargo vessel into warship
Russian-made multipurpose shipborne missile systems capable to turn almost any vessel into powerful warship were displayed at defense show LIMA-2009 finished on Sat in Malaysia. "Not every country can afford powerful ships, but any vessel may be turned into a combat one with appropriate equipment and armament" - official.

12/14/2009
Leakage of radioactive wastes happened at Zvezdochka shipyard
Leakage of radioactive wastes happened at OJSC Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center due to a crack in the pipeline. There is neither contamination of the environment nor personnel irradiation. Radiation background is normal. Zvezdochka shipyard is engaged in utilization of nuclear-powered submarines.

12/14/2009
Russian shipyard built frigate for Vietnam
Russian-made frigate Gepard 3.9 built under order of Vietnamese Navy was launched in Tatarstan. The ship developed in 2003 was constructed by shipwrights of Zelenodolsky Zavod named after A.M. Gorky. Delivery contract of two frigates for Vietnamese Navy was signed in 2006.

12/14/2009
Fire occurred at vessel near Azov port is brought under control
Fire occurred Saturday evening on dry cargo ship in the Sea of Azov is extinguished; there are no sufferers, sailors returned to the ship. There are 4,000 tonnes of barley on board the Comoros-flagged vessel remaining off the harbor.

12/14/2009
Two Russian FSB Coast Guard boats arrived at Ochamchira port
Two patrol boats Mangust and Sobol belonging to Abkhazian branch of Russian FSB Coast Guard arrived at port Ochamchira (eastern Abkhazia) at Saturday. Presence of Russian patrol boats will provide security of vessels heading for Abkhazia and protection of its sea borders.

12/11/2009
Allies died during WW2 were honored in Severomorsk
The British delegation visited Severomorsk on Dec 8. The British came to honor legacy of their compatriots died at Kola region during the Great Patriotic War and buried at Severomorsk Memorial Park.

12/11/2009
Warhead for Bulava is not a poser – MoD
It is not and "has never been" a problem to create nuclear warhead for SLBM Bulava, said Gen. Col. Vladimir Verkhovtsev, Director of 12th Department of Russian MoD. Perspective solid-fueled SLBM Bulava is to be installed at Project 955 Borei SSBNs.

12/11/2009
Mistral may be purchased only after its detailed study
French Mistral-type multipurpose landing ship may be purchased for Russian Navy only after its detailed study. The experience of importing warships abroad is not a novelty to Russia and exists through the whole history of our Navy.

12/10/2009
Latvia concerns about Russia's plans to buy Mistral
Latvia is anxious about Russia's intentions to purchase French Mistral-type helicopter carrier. According to Russian Chief of General Staff Nikolai Makarov, Russia will find its position in the matter of probable procurement of French Mistral-type helicopter carriers by the end of the year.

12/09/2009
Ten sailors remain aboard Russian ship arrested at Canaries
Ten crewmembers stay on board Russian vessel Atlantic Star arrested mid-November at Las Palmas port(Canary Islands) and can not return home due to lack of money for air tickets. 15-men crew has not got wages for last eight months and lives on aid of charity organizations; wage arrears make $231,631 now.

12/08/2009
Russia and India agreed in Admiral Gorshkov matter
Russia and India have entirely arranged all issues related to modernization of aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov. It was previously reported that the parties could not agree in financial matters. In particular, Sevmash shipyard evaluated the vessel's completion as $1.2 bln.