Saturday, February 22, 2014

Russia Is Building Up It's Naval Forces In The Mediterranean

Varshavyanka. © RIA Novosti. Vitaly Ankov

Russia To Strengthen Mediterranean Force With ‘Stealth’ Subs -- RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, February 20 (RIA Novosti) – The combat capability of Russia’s naval task force in the Mediterranean will increase significantly following the first deliveries of Varshavyanka-class submarines to the Black Sea Fleet in 2015, Navy Commander Adm. Viktor Chirkov said Thursday.

Russia formed a permanent naval task force in the Mediterranean last year to defend its interests in the region. The move was widely seen, however, as a response to calls for international intervention in the worsening civil war in Syria, Russia’s longtime ally.

The task force currently consists of 12 warships and auxiliary vessels, including the nuclear-powered missile cruiser Pyotr Veliky and aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov.

Read more ....

Update: Russian Navy to enhance potential with new stealth and noiseless submarines -- Pravda

My Comment: This buildup makes one wonder if Moscow is now determined to make the Mediterranean a Russians lake.

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