Russia blasts US Navy maneuvers near Georgia

Russia is outraged at the maneuvers of American USS Monterey cruiser carrying the AEGIS air defence system near the Georgian coast on the Black Sea, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

The U.S. warship arrived for joint exercises with Georgia as part of the Phased Adaptive Approach program designed to shape the European segment of the U.S.-led project to build a global missile defence system, the Trend news agency said.

"The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier expressed concern that along with negotiations on cooperation in the global air defense system, [the U.S.] is conducting simultaneous 'reconnaissance' operations near the borders of our country," the ministry said.

France transfers sensitive warship technology to Russia

France has transferred to Russia all the technology it asked for under a $1.7-billion deal for two French-built Mistral class amphibious assault ships for the Russian Navy, a Russian arms exporter said on Monday.

Under the deal signed on Friday, the first warship will be delivered in 2014 and the second in 2015.

" The French side has transferred all technologies, including the Zenit-9 [command and control] system, as well as two other systems," said Anatoly Isaikin, head of the Rosoboronexport state-controlled arms exporter.

A formal contract for the construction of the two Mistral class ships will be signed separately at a later date, he said, adding it could take up to three months to compile.

Pacific Fleet celebrates Divers' Day

The Divers' Day is celebrated in Russia on May 5. The world's first diving school was established in Kronshtadt on May 5, 1882 by the order of Russian Emperor Alexander III. For a long time it had been the only training center for aquanauts. 

Since the foundation of naval force at the Pacific, search-and-rescue service has been one of the fleet's combat units. 

Pacific Underwater Special-Purpose Expedition was established on March 7, 1932 in Vladivostok by order of Flagman 2 rank F. Krylov. "Act of emergency rescue services at sea forces and military flotillas" was issued in 1933. 

Victory parade's night rehearsal was held in Vladivostok

Night rehearsal of the Victory Day parade was conducted in Pacific Fleet's main naval base Vladivostok on May 3 under auspices of garrison commander Gen. Maj. Sergei Pushkin; the purpose was to improve march skills of parade companies, color teams, and honor guard. 

Combat vehicles participated in the rehearsal were SAM systems Osa, armored personnel carriers, various artillery systems, etc. 

The military parade will take place on May 9 at the Korabelnaya Embankment, Vladivostok at 10 am (local time).

Russian Navy will stay in Sevastopol forever – admiral

Russia will never give up its naval base in Ukraine's port of Sevastopol on the Crimean peninsula, ex-commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Adm. Igor Kasatonov said.

Russia's Black Sea Fleet is stationed in Crimea under a lease agreement with Ukraine. On April 21, 2010, Moscow and Kiev signed a deal extending the lease on the fleet's base in Sevastopol for 25 years after the current lease expires in 2017.

"The year 2042 is not the final date of the Black Sea Fleet's presence in Crimea. The Russian Navy will stay in Sevastopol forever," Kasatonov said in a recent interview with the Kiev-based Expert magazine.

Russia to raise financing of the Navy

Russia will spend RUR 5 trillions for Navy modernization, said Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin appearing in the parliament with report of government's work. 

Mentioned figures are provided by State Arms Program 2011-2020 which appropriates RUR 19 trillions for defense ministry. "Comparing to the previous arms program, the funds have been raised thrice", pointed out Putin. 

Russian deputy defense minister Vladimir Popovkin said late in Feb that the ministry was to purchase 100 surface ships and submarines until 2020. In particular, it is planned to buy 20 non-strategic submarines, 8 nuclear-powered ballistic missile subs, 35 corvettes, and 15 frigates. Namely, they are surface ships of projects 20380, 11356M, 22350, 11711, 21631, and submarines of projects 636, 885, and 955. 

US Navy uses Facebook to acquire information

It is necessary to study and make the best use of new communication opportunities afforded by Internet technology, said US Chief of Naval Operation Admiral Gary Roughead who recently visited Russia and gave an exclusive interview to Central Navy Portal. 

"In my view, we're only beginning to understand all advantages of these new means of communication and mass information", said the admiral talking about social nets like Facebook. As for the American admiral, information he gets from Internet forums gives him better awareness of the situation in subordinate forces and helps to keep abreast of developments.

Sevmash presents new technologies

The 12th international forum "High Tech of the 21st Century" was opened in Moscow. 

The forum is supported by Russia's Ministry of Trade and Industry and held under patronage of Industrial Business and Trade Association. 

Sevmash shipyard is a traditional participant of the exhibition. This is the sixth time the yard demonstrates its achievements in Krasnaya Presnya Expo Center. This yearSevmash displays models of Prirazlomnaya maritime stationary ice-resistant platform, floating energy unit for tidal powerplant, spent fuel storage packaging set TUK-108, semi-submersible platform MOSS-CS50, ocean-going yacht, Project 3110 sea-going tug, and Project 029 small-size bulker. 

Severe ice conditions hinder Venezuelan sailer to visit Russia

Venezuelan sailing bark Simon Bolivar can not call at St. Petersburg port due to severe ice situation in the Gulf of Finland, reports Central Navy Portal referring to ice operational center of St. Petersburg port. 

In accordance with the visit program, Venezuelan training sailer BE-11 Simon Bolivar was supposed to moor at Lt. Shmidt Embankment in Tuesday morning. So far, the time of the sailer's arrival in St. Petersburg is uncertain. Icebreaker escort presents a problem and is not safe because of strong wind causing ice twitch and lack of ice stiffening in the sailer. Currently, Simon Bolivar is anchored at the edge of ice floe near Rodsher Island. Icebreaker Karu provides the sailer's security. 

Read more

India, Russia to hold joint naval exercise

MOSCOW (PTI): A group of Indian warships arrived in Vladivostok, the main Russian Pacific Fleet base on Monday, to begin drills with the Russian Navy after exercises with the US Navy.

Three Indian warships INS Ranvir and Ranvijay, missile destroyers and indigenous Frigate INS Delhi, a Kirch Corvette and the tanker Jyoti docked at the famous Russian far eastern port, Itar-Tass reported.

The warships from the Eastern Fleet are commanded by Rear Admiral Bisht will hold sea-manoeuvres with the Russian Navy's massive anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributz.

Russia floats out latest stealth corvette

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia's St. Petersburg's Severnaya Verf Shipyard recently floated out the third stealth corvette for the Russian Navy.

According to a news report in RIA Novosti, the Boiky is the third Steregushchy class (Project 20380) corvette designed by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau.

The corvette features innovative solutions regarding hull design, armament, communications and electronics.

Russian Navy plans to reassign cruiser Marshal Ustinov to Pacific Fleet

MOSCOW (BNS): Russian Navy is planning to reassign its missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov from Northern Fleet to Pacific Fleet, a media report said.

Currently, the cruiser is preparing for medium repairs in Northern fleet.

"In two years, the cruiser may be transferred from Severomorsk to Vladivostok to reinforce the grouping of the Pacific Fleet's surface ships," RIA Novosti quoted a Russian Navy admiral as saying.

Russian court jails Arctic Sea hijackers

A Russian court yesterday sentenced six people to prison for their role in a pirate attack on the Maltese-flagged Arctic Sea in July 2009. The sentences range from seven to twelve years in prison.

The Russian-crewed Arctic Sea disappeared in the English Channel on July 24, 2009, Ria Novosti reports, whilst on its way from Finland to Algeria with US$2 million worth of timber on board. The Russian Navy found the vessel in the Cape Verde islands off West Africa on August 17 and arrested eight people. Investigators said the ship had been seized by masked pirates near the coast of Sweden. Only the listed cargo of timber was found on board when the vessel was seized.

Naval aircrafts to be reassigned to Air Force in 2011

Russian Navy will hand over attack aircraft and fighters to Air Force till the current year is over, reported RIA Novosti referring to a source in Navy Main HQ. 

Aviation of Strategic Missile Troops will be also reassigned to Air Force in March 2011. 

"Attack component of naval aviation must be handed over to Russian Air Force till the end of 2011", the admiral said. 

According to him, these are mostly long-range bombers Tu-22M3, fighters MiG-31 (regiment deployed at Kamchatka), Su-27, and front-line bombers Su-24 deployed in Baltiysk, Kaliningrad region. 

Russian Navy's submarine force will acquire up to 10 newest fourth-generation Severodvinsk-type nuclear subs (Project 885 Yasen), reports RIA Novosti referring to a high-ranking representative of Navy Main HQ. 

Lead sub of this series – SSGN Severodvinsk – must be commissioned this year. The second submarine SSGN Kazan is being presently built at Sevmashshipyard. The third sub of this project will be laid down till the current year is over. 

"We plan to receive somewhat 10 new Severodvinsk-type nuclear submarines", said the admiral. 

Russian Navy's HQ moves to St. Petersburg

Russian defense minister made a definitive decision to transfer Navy Main HQ to St. Petersburg. Practically, it implies loss of control over the fleet for a long time including naval component of strategic nuclear force, and appropriation of enormous funds to create a parallel structure. 

"Basic divisions of Navy Main HQ will move to St. Petersburg, including operational department and intelligence section. However, building of the Admiralty which is planned to accommodate Navy HQ is by no means ready for that. There are neither appropriate secure communication facilities, nor automated control systems, nor nuclear force control system, nor missile warning system. So far, there is only a door-plate "Navy Commander-in-Chief" hanged, reportsArgumenty Nedeli citing a source in the Navy.

Russia does not export arms to Taiwan – head of Rosoboronexport

Russia does not export arms to Taiwan, but develops military and technical cooperation with China, said Anatoly Isaikin, the head of Rosoboronexport. 

"We do not cooperate with Taiwan, and have no military contacts with it", Isaikin said. Speaking of China, he said that the cooperation had not stopped and would go on. 

"The recent intergovernmental commission indicated some potential perspectives. Military cooperation does develop. There have been more subjects to conduct design and scientific research projects. China continues to buy some our products, particularly aircraft engines, and display interest in other end products", said Isaikin.

Sailors from Marshal Shaposhnikov called up relatives for free

JSC Dalsvyaz provided free phone communications for sailors of Pacific Fleet large ASW ship Marshal Shaposhnikov in pre-holiday March 7, reported Daily News of Vladivostokreferring to JSC Dalsvyaz. 

At present, the ship is docked at Dalzavod shipyard. JSC Dalsvyaz which took Marshal Shaposhnikovunder patronage not long ago arranged cellular communication on board the ship to afford an opportunity for sailors to congratulate their relatives on coming women's day. About 130 sailors managed to make calls through the day of March 7.

Detail : www.rusnavy.com

Russia to export arms on $38 bln as of early 2011

As of early 2011, Russia will export arms and military equipment on $38 bln, said the head of RosoboronexportAnatoly Isaikin at the press conference. 

"Russia's backlog of arms export orders makes $38 bln in the beginning of 2011", said Isaikin having noted that 60% of those arms would be exported to India, Algeria, and China. Totally, over 1 300 export contracts were signed with foreign countries over the past year, said Isaikin. 

He specified that the backlog of orders implies already signed contracts, 90% of them have already took effect.

Source : http://rusnavy.com

Decision to move Navy HQ to St. Petersburg has not been made – Defense Ministry

A decision whether to transfer Russian Navy Main HQ from Moscow to St. Petersburg has not been made so far. 

Both variants are being discussed – either the naval staff remains in Moscow or moves to St. Petersburg, reported RIA Novosti referring to a high-ranking source in defense ministry. According to the source, if the headquarters stays in the capital, it would benefit to operational efficiency; if moves to St. Petersburg, it would be closer to the Navy's scientific and production facilities. As for him, all pros and cons of those two approaches are being considered now, at the final phase of Armed Forces' control structure shaping. "Nonetheless, no final documents have been approved so far", said the official.