MOSCOW — Russia plans to massively strengthen its navy against the backdrop of tensions with the West.
“The US and other NATO states are expanding their military naval presence in the world’s oceans, including in the waters directly bordering Russia,” said Nikolai Patrushev, a close adviser to President Vladimir Putin and the country’s former intelligence chief.
He claimed Russia needs to modernize its fleet because trade routes are being blocked and cargo and passenger ships of independent nations are being stopped, searched and in some cases confiscated under the pretext of the fight against piracy.
“Ensuring the constant readiness of our fleet to deter and prevent military conflicts and to protect our country in accordance with international norms is necessary,” Patrushev said on Wednesday.
Putin had ordered the strategic documents on the development of the navy to be revised and corresponding instructions have been sent to the ministries and shipbuilding companies. Details of the naval armament programme were not disclosed.
Russia is using its navy in its war against Ukraine, which has been going on for more than two years. Ships from the Black Sea Fleet and the flotilla in the Caspian Sea regularly fire missiles at cities and other targets in Ukraine.
Following heavy losses – such as the sinking of the flagship Moskva – the main part of the Black Sea Fleet has withdrawn from its base on the Crimean peninsula, which has been…
