Russian Indian BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile

Russia and Norway to conduct a joint naval exercise ‘Pomor-2011’ in May

MOSCOW (BNS): The navies of Russia and Norway are planning to conduct a joint naval exercise ‘Pomor-2011’ in May, a media report said.

Both navies will participate in the third series of the joint drill at the Barents and Norwegian Seas.

"The exercise will take place in the Barents and Norwegian Seas, and will include firing of live artillery rounds at simulated surface and aerial targets, anti-submarine warfare drills, anti-piracy operations, and search-and-rescue missions," RIA Novosti quoted Vadim Serga as saying on Thursday.

Russia to lease n-submarine to India by October

Moscow: Russia will lease K-152 Nerpa, a nuclear-powered submarine, to India by October this year, a Russian naval admiral said on Wednesday.

'The submarine is completely ready for transfer. An Indian crew is currently training aboard with Russian instructors,' said the admiral who requested anonymity.

'This should be completed before October. We're running late,' he said.

Twenty sailors were killed after toxic gas leaked on board Nerpa as the submarine was undergoing trials in the Sea of Japan in November 2008. A fire extinguishing system malfunctioned, leading to the discharge.

The $900-million lease contract was drawn up after Moscow and New Delhi struck a deal in January 2004 when New Delhi agreed to fund a part of the submarine's construction.

The Nerpa was originally scheduled to be inducted into the Indian Navy as INS Chakra by mid-2008.

Some media reports earlier said that the K-152 Nerpa attack submarine had already been transferred to India on a 10-year lease.

Jan 25 is the Russian Maritime Navigators' Day

Russian Maritime Navigation Service turned 310. 

Previously, the Navigators' Day used to be celebrated in spring equinox (March 21) and autumn equinox (Sept 23), because in those days one can definitely find cardinal directions without instruments – at any station point, the Sun rises sharply in the east and sets in the west. 

But since 1997 in accordance with Navy Commander-in-Chief's decree No. 253 dated July 15, 1996 about new annual holidays and professional days, the Naval Navigators' Day has been celebrated on Jan 25, in the date when Russian Maritime Navigation Service was established.

The need to train native shipmasters and navigators arose with the beginning of construction of Russian fleet. That idea was realized by establishment of Mathematical and Navigational Sciences School in Sukharevaya Tower, Moscow. The decree issued on Jan 25, 1701 by Peter the Great said: "Mathematical and navigational sciences and arts must be studied". That day is considered the birthday of Russian Maritime Navigation Service. 

India, Russia discuss Admiral Gorshkov, piracy threat

NEW DELHI (PTI): India and Russia on Monday discussed ways to increase cooperation in tackling the growing threat of piracy in the Indian Ocean region and the issue of training navy personnel for operating aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.

The deliberations in this regard were held between Indian Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma and his Russian counterpart Admiral Vladimir Sergeevich Vysotskiy, who arrived here Monday on a three-day visit.

"Whilst discussing the maritime environment, specific emphasis was laid on the growing threat of piracy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and various possibilities for the two navies to co-operate," Navy officials said here.

Discussions on ongoing projects included "detailed deliberations on the training of Indian Naval personnel for the operation of aircraft carrier rechristened as INS Vikramaditya, scheduled to commence later this year," they said.

Development project of Kazachya Bay was presented in Sevastopol

Two embankments, 16-storey buildings, park, swimming-pool, stadium, schools, and nurseries will appear at Sevastopol's Kazachya Bay in future. 

Corresponding development project was presented on Wednesday in Sevastopol city administration. 

Architects of Grazhdanproekt Institute predict that population of Kazachya Bay district where Russian military units are currently located will increase up to 20,000 in the nearest future. 

On this basis, experts drew up the district development project which implies construction of 3-16 storey buildings (the closer to sea the less number of storeys). In prospect, it is planned to construct two schools (for 1 200 and 990 students), three nurseries, stadium, recreation center, supermarket, fire station, and swimming pool. Architects propose to lay out a park and to build a 600-suite hotel. 

The coast will turn into beaches and embankments. However, it is impossible to belt the whole bay with quay walls – the esplanade will be punctuated by industrial objects. 

It is noteworthy that garages are offered to be removed to parking zone which is going to be built along the railway. 

According to Sevastopol mayor Valery Saratov, in prospect Kazachya Bay will become "not only a bedroom suburb but a residential district". 

However, the city mayor admitted that some buildings presented in the draft project overlap the lands leased for Russia's Black Sea Fleet till 2042. 

That was confirmed by Black Sea Fleet Deputy Commander Sergei Migai who also attended the presentation. Particularly, he brought to notice that the project touches a part of the military range. Black Sea Fleet command won't let the range area to be reduced, said Migai. 

Chairman of Sevastopol city council Yury Doinikov pointed out in his turn that the Russian fleet would need a part of coast to disembark armor from ships. 

Ukrainian minister of emergencies also emphasized that 16-storey buildings must be seismic-resistant. In addition, he said it was found out during recent exercises that Kazachya Bay has no emergency alerting systems while the district is situated next to potentially hazardous objects – sea port and oil transshipment terminal Yugtorsan. 

Finally, it was decided to let architects improve the project.

Officer dismissed by Medvedev threatens to pitch tent on the Red Square

Moscow Military Court addressed for new trial the case of LtCol Viktor Biront, Kolomna Naval Technical Base Commander dismissed by president Medvedev. 

Recall that the naval technical base in Kolomna (Moscow region) headed by LtCol Biront was almost burnt down because of wild fires. In Nov 2010 Lubertsy Military Court invalidated dismissal of the officer, although representatives of defense ministry appeal this decision in the court of superior jurisdiction. And the court is going to reargue this case. 

As for Biront, bad attitude of commanders has driven him to hypertonia, heart disease and depression. It is also noteworthy that colleagues say his actions were impeccable both before and after the incident. 

"Investigators have analyzed the case for half a year, and now things are going to start again. They just force me to give up. I can't find a job because of running about courts and procuracy offices. I've no place to go if they kick my family away from service flat. We used to live in bunk houses for 26 years, so we are in wait for own apartment to be given to us. Otherwise, I've nothing to do but to pitch a tent on the Red Square and live there. I feel like a leper, nobody even talked to me before my dismissal. They erased my name in the way it ought to have been so", said the officer.

New photos of SSBN Alexander Nevsky are published

Editors of the Central Navy Portal obtained new photos of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Alexander Nevsky taken while the sub was launched at Sevmash shipyard. Photo of the submarine afloat is published for the first time. 

Recall that solemn ceremony of the sub's withdrawal from covered slipway scheduled on Nov 30, 2010 was canceled due to technical problems related to frosty weather. According to unaccredited sources, nonetheless the submarine left the slipway and was placed in floating dock Sukhona in the night of Dec 1, and in a few days was launched and moored at the shipyard's outfitting quay. 

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin inspected the submarine on Dec 13, 2010 during his visit to Arkhangelsk region. Later in the day in Severodvinsk he convened a meeting to discuss State Arms Program 2011-2020. 

SSBN Alexander Nevsky is commanded by Capt 1 rank Vasily Tankovid.

Mistrals to be possibly based in Severomorsk and Vladivostok

Russian Navy began to seek basing sites for twoMistral class assault landing ships which are to be built in France, reports Interfax referring to a source in the Navy Main HQ. 

Representatives of Navy command have already inspected bases in Northern and Pacific fleets and analyzed basing conditions for helicopter carriers. According to the military, bases in Vladivostok and Severomorsk should undergo special preparations, since there are no quays for such ships. In addition,Mistrals must be provided with antisubmarine and air defenses. 

Definitive decision has not been made so far whether to station Mistral class assault landing ships in Severomorsk and Vladivostok. 

On Dec 24, 2010 Russia and France agreed that two Mistral class assault landing ships would be constructed by French shipyard. Other two ships of this type are supposed to be built in Russia under license. 

As was reported by the Central Navy Portal late Dec 2010, in Russia Mistrals would be possibly constructed by new shipyards subordinated to Admiralteyskie Verfi and located at Kotlin Island, St. Petersburg.

Fire at Vice Admiral Kulakov did no harm to the ship's battle-worthiness

Fire outbreak occurred in large ASW ship Vice Admiral Kulakov on Jan 5 did not reduce combat effectiveness of the ship, reported a source in Northern Fleet to the Central Navy Portal. 

On Jan 6 information emerged on some Internet forums that the ship recently returned from long-standing repair had underwent a fire and become unserviceable. 

Really, the accident neither knocked the ship out of action nor reduced her battle-worthiness. Short circuit and fumigation of the mess-room which can be hardly classified as a fire only frustrated officers' messing; damages are so minor that will be eliminated in the nearest time, said the spokesman for Northern Fleet. 

Such incidents are regular in the Navy and normally caused by operational imperfections of the personnel and use of faulty equipment. 

In recent years large ASW ship Vice Admiral Kulakov has been mentioned in several hard-hitting news. For instance, on Dec 4, 2009 conscript sailor Arthur Kayumov was poisoned with carbon monoxide while fire in the lower deck. In 2010 two sailors were tortured, beaten and extorted by senior conscripts and officers; finally, they were close to suicide. In Apr 2010 the Central Navy Portal published a video clip of an officer threatening and beating sailors for their mistakes during classes on board the ship.

Memorial activities for Aldar Tsydenzhapov were held in Pacific Fleet

Pacific Fleet conducted memorial activities in remembrance of Aldar Tsydenzhapov, Hero of Russia and a sailor of destroyer Bystry. Parents of the hero and delegation from his native town arrived to attend the ceremony. 

Another name has been written in chronicles of Pacific Fleet's heroes. The highest national title was given posthumously to a crewman of destroyer Bystry. During the fire in machinery compartment, he saved the warship from explosion at the expense of his life. Now hundreds of men owe their lives to him. 

This tragedy happened on September 24. Two hours prior to the cruise, a fire occurred in the ship's bow machinery compartment of destroyer Bystry. The flame was reaching steam boiler. And the explosion was inevitable if only watchman sailor Aldar Tsydenzhapov would not shut off water and steam supply. 

Capt 1 rank Viktor Sokolov, commander of Primorskaya flotilla: "Our mission is to use this example for educational purpose. To me, this sample of heroism symbolizes the pride in current generation, in our young people". By presidential decree, sailor of Pacific Fleet destroyer Bystry Aldar Tsydenzhapov was posthumously rewarded with the title of the Hero of Russia in the New Year's Eve. 

Memorial plaque was opened at destroyer Bystry with participation of the hero's parents. And in accordance with old naval tradition, Aldar's berth will be always unoccupied because he is an everlasting member of the ship's crew. One of the streets in the hero's native town Aginsk was named after him. 

According to parents of Aldar, draft call to Pacific Fleet made him and all family happy. Biligma Tsydenzhapova, the hero's mother: "I've always been admiring my son, because after school he said he wouldn't enroll in any college. He wanted to do military service right after the school", "Aldar was beside himself with joy when they told he would be a sailor and serve in Vladivostok. We were delighted too, because his grandfather also served in Vladivostok, at Pacific Fleet". 

Delegation from Aginsk signed patronage agreements with the destroyer's crew and Primorskaya flotilla command; draftees from Aldar's native town will serve at Pacific Fleet warships. 

Memorable sign to the Hero of Russia Aldar Tsydenzhapov was opened on the quay of destroyer Bystry at the basing site of Primorskaya flotilla.

Russia to pay nearly $2 billion for French warships: report

MOSCOW (AFP): Russia will pay France 1.37 billion euros (USD 1.81 billion) for two Mistral-class assault warships that Moscow agreed to purchase from the NATO member last week, according to news reports.





“The first ship will cost 720 million euros and the second 650 million euros,” the RIA Novosti news agency cited a source close to the negotiations as saying on Thursday.

The deal, which involves joint construction of the vessels, is the first sale to Russia of such naval high-tech by a NATO country.

It has been condemned by Alliance members from the three Baltic nations, with leaked cables showing that US Defence Secretary Robert Gates also raised the issue while on a visit to Paris this year.

The helicopter carrier costs about 500 million euros (USD 650 million) and it was not immediately clear why Russia was paying a premium.

Moscow had sought to purchase the craft together with their sensitive equipment and the December 24 announcement in Paris made no mention of whether Russia had got its way.

The source close to the negotiation said Moscow was paying a higher price for the first craft because most of it would be produced in France, with Russia's share in the project growing by the second vessel.