Russian Navy News

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.

03.15.2010 Delivery contract of Russian deck-based MiGs to India is evaluated as $1.5 bln
Delivery contract of Russian deck-based MiGs to India is evaluated as $1.5 bln. Totally, India intends to purchase 29 aircrafts. Presumably, MiGs will be based on aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov which is expected to be handed over in 2012.

03.15.2010 Russia steps down to world's second arms exporter
Russia ranks second in world's conventional arms export rating over a period of 2005-2009. The U.S. tops the rating of arms exporters occupying 30% of the market. Top-five list except the U.S. and Russia includes Germany, France and the UK.

03.15.2010 Russian sailors returned home from pirate captivity
Russian crewmembers of seiner Thai Union-3 recently released from pirates have returned to Russia by transit flight through Seychelles and Qatar. The ship's complement spent over four months as captives at Somali pirate base.

03.15.2010 Open Skies mission completed at the Baltic
On March 12 international observers completed their work at Baltic Fleet; representatives of Germany, Great Britain and Latvia conducted aerial survey over Russian territory within the framework of Open Skies Treaty.

03.11.2010 Russian and French warships exchange data in Gulf of Aden
Russian and French warships countering piracy off Somalia actively exchange information for better coordination of their activity. However, the most critical problem for the moment is legislation issues, says French Navy Commander-in-Chief.

03.11.2010 Russia develops a new-gen destroyer
Project development of new-gen stealth destroyer for Russian Navy has been recently started. Prospective ship which project number has not been appointed yet will be a multifunctional vessel; that will affect the ship's armament.

03.11.2010 BSF should leave Crimea in 2017 – 66.1% experts
Most of Ukrainian experts consider Russia's Black Sea Fleet should be withdrawn from Crimea in 2017. In particular, this opinion is shared by 66.1% experts who nonetheless insist on the importance of strict adherence to corresponding bilateral agreements.

03.11.2010 NF warship to participate in FRUKUS-2010
Annual naval exercise FRUKUS-2010 will be conducted off British coast. Warships of four countries – the U.S., Great Britain, France and Russia take part in traditional annual exercise. Present-day FRUKUS maneuvers are full of new and complicated tasks.

03.11.2010 French frigate visits Severomorsk to participate in exercise
French AAW frigate Chevalier Paul will visit Severomorsk on March 30 and take part in joint drill with a Northern Fleet's warship. Visit of French frigate to Northern Fleet main base will last till Apr 3, said French Navy Commander-in-Chief.

03.11.2010 Three Russian sailors died at Greek tanker
Three Russian sailors died in March 9-10 at Greek tanker Arionas in La Manche strait. As for the shipmaster, the cause was food poisoning. Tanker Arionas was sailing from Libya to Rotterdam but had to call at the port of Le Havre.

03.11.2010 Russia, India agreed in Admiral Gorshkov price
Russia and India agreed in new price for aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov and soon will sign all documents specifying conclusive delivery terms. "We are about to sign appropriate agreements in the nearest future", said Indian Ambassador to Russia.

03.11.2010 Frigate Neustrashimy approached the vessel released from pirates
Baltic Fleet frigate Neustrashimy is presently several cables away from tunaboat Thai Union 3 released from pirate captivity and escorted by BSF tugboat SB-36. Tugboat SB-36 and seiner Thai Union 3 are expected to reach territorial waters of Seychelles on March 11.

03.10.2010 Zvezdochka experts discharged nuclear fuel from SSBN Borisoglebsk
Experts of Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center (Severodvinsk) have completed discharge of spent nuclear fuel from reactors of SSBN Borisoglebsk. Project 667BDR Kalmar submarines are the series of Soviet SSBNs armed with D-9R system with 16 sea-launched ballistic missiles.

03.10.2010 Admiralteiskiye Verfi to export two diesel electric subs in Apr
In April shipbuilders of Admiralteiskiye Verfi shipyard (St. Petersburg) plan to deliver two Kilo-class diesel electric submarines (Project 636) built for export. Such submarines are in great demand at international market.

03.10.2010 Delegation from Sevmash visited Nikolayev shipyard
Defense shipyard Sevmash (Severodvinsk) which performs repair and modernization of Indian aircraft carrier Vikramaditya (former Russian Admiral Gorshkov) asked Ukrainian shipbuilders who made the carrier to share experience.

03.10.2010 The oldest post-war sub remaining afloat turned 50 in St. Petersburg
Festivities related to 50th anniversary of the oldest post-war sub remaining afloat S-189 took place on March 9 at Lt. Schmidt Embankment in St. Petersburg. S-189 represents the most numerous project of post-war period which constituted the basis of Soviet submarine force.

03.09.2010 French Navy CIC executed midday gunfire in St. Petersburg
Pierre Francois Forissier, French Navy Commander-in-Chief executed midday gunfire at Petropavlovskaya Fortress in St. Petersburg on Friday. Russian and French navies are among world's largest fleets, said Forissier in interview.

03.06.2010 BSF helicopter pilots refresh flattop takeoff and landing skills
Black Sea Fleet (BSF) naval air base Kacha headed by Col. Yury Yurin hosts Northern Fleet (NF) delegation of experienced sniper pilots. The main target of visit is rendering assistance to BSF helicopter pilots in refreshing takeoff and landing skills at aircraft carrier on move in day-and-night conditions.

03.05.2010 Russia, France to conduct joint naval exercise off Severomorsk
French warship will call a visit to Northern Fleet main base Severomorsk to conduct joint exercise with Russian ships. Visit of French warship will be associated with 65th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

03.05.2010 Zvezdochka dismantles unique titanium nuc sub
Experts of Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center (Severodvinsk) started utilization of unique titanium nuclear-powered submarine K-222 Anchar dubbed as "Goldfish". In 1971 the sub accelerated up to 44.7 knots which is still submarine world record.