With the beginning of the Cold War, the Soviet Union was faced with the need to defend its interests in a huge part of the planet. One after another, the newly formed states of Africa, Asia and the Middle East adopted the communist ideology, and now, already the caravans of Soviet ships with military assistance, advisers and equipment are rushing to help loyal regimes on the other side of the Earth.
Strengthened and "appeared from the shadows" of the Soviet Navy - hundreds of warships entered the World Ocean, becoming one of the formidable arguments of the newborn Superpower. Transoceanic crossings and continuous watch in remote areas of the ocean - many months of cruises are difficult, ships require compulsory rest and maintenance. Replenishment of supplies of fuel, provisions and fresh water. Emergency repairs. All this is far from the native shore, in unknown southern latitudes, where there is not a single Soviet ship nearby. Only the ghostly shadows of the Orions reconnaissance hovering over the waves.
A great navy needs a great basing system. There could be only one solution - to cover the entire globe with a network of naval bases, airfields and strongholds.
The naval base is not just a place for anchorage and maintenance of ships. It is a powerful tool of the geopolitical game, a lever for instilling the right ideas in the leadership of the designated country. A ready foothold for a new offensive, a major transport hub and a site for placing special equipment (for example, electronic reconnaissance and radio interception systems). From here, it is convenient to monitor the situation in the selected region, and if necessary, take emergency measures, intervene and nip possible problems in the bud. Finally, from a purely technical point of view, the system of naval bases (naval base) created unique opportunities for the effective operation of the navy at any distance from the coast of the metropolis.
Stop! What foreign military bases are we talking about ?! Foreign military bases are the privilege of the wily Pentagon. The vile intrigues of Western imperialism striving for world domination. And the USSR, which is engaged in peaceful creative labor, cannot have any military bases abroad.
Ingenious poster of 1955
In fact, the USSR itself was not averse to sticking a dozen needles into NATO's underbelly
To resolve a difficult dilemma, the help of professional philologists was required. Really, one can only admire their imagination - a lot of objects with funny names have appeared on the world map. For example:
A) logistics center (modest but tasteful).
Usually, the PMTO of the USSR Navy occupied an area of fifty or more square kilometers and was designed to accommodate several thousand personnel. All this was complemented by a well-developed infrastructure with berths, a dock, a fuel storage, and an arsenal. The presence of ground transport and special equipment was obligatory. The security system of the PMTO base included boats and ships for the protection of the water area, a fortified perimeter and personnel of the Marine Corps with heavy weapons and armored vehicles. Optionally - an airfield with cover fighters, anti-submarine, reconnaissance and transport aircraft.
B) GSVSK (Group of Soviet Military Specialists in Cuba). Despite its soothing name, GSVSK was not in the least like the peaceful Soviet delegation. It was a large grouping of various types of troops - from motorized riflemen and tankmen, to signalmen and air defense - all this right under the nose of the "potential enemy".
C) A limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan. Only a 100-thousand-strong army with its artillery, armored vehicles and aviation, which strained the entire Middle East for nine years.
There was a radio interception center in Lourdes (Cuba), there was GSVG (Group of Soviet Forces in Germany), GSVM (the same, only in Mongolia), there were Soviet military specialists in Vietnam, Angola, Mozambique, and other cases beyond the scope of this article …
Scheme of foreign facilities of the USSR Navy for 1984
Today I would like to dwell in more detail on the PMTO - the legendary Soviet naval bases in all corners of the Earth. In view of the scale of the subject of discussion, in a number of cases it will be necessary to limit ourselves to general remarks and scant facts from the biography of these unusual places. It should be noted that PMTO is a vague concept with rather unclear criteria for compliance. In addition to the well-known "large" bases, there were many ancillary facilities, such as the Marine Corps training ground on the island. Socotra (Arabian Sea). But, despite the cries of the Western press about the "Soviet military presence" at the Horn of Africa, Socotra never had any docks and military installations - only occasionally did Soviet ships anchor off the coast of the island.
Finally, in the constantly changing international situation, the PMTO could temporarily be located on the territory of any of the ports of friendly states - wherever a floating base, a floating workshop, a tanker can be moored. Berths, cranes, port infrastructure - everything is at the disposal of Soviet sailors. A ready-made object for "friendly visits" of the warships of the Soviet Union.
Now it is worth going directly to the list of the most interesting bases of the USSR Navy:
Porkkala Udd (1944-1956)
"A pistol at the temple of Finland" - a brigade of skerry ships, minesweepers, the coastal defense battleship "Vyborg" and coastal batteries to cover communications in the Gulf of Finland were based here. 300 defensive structures were built on the territory of the base. The total length of the perimeter is 40 km. The base area is about 100 sq. kilometers. The lease term is 50 years. The rental price is 5 million Finnish marks per year.
However, by the mid-1950s, the Soviet leadership came to the conclusion that it was time to cover up the base: Porkalla Udd only irritates the Finns and worsens relations between the two countries, while not having any particular military significance. The base was completely liquidated in January 1956. Finland appreciated the friendly gesture, becoming a loyal mediator between the USSR and the Western world.
Vlore, Albania (1955 - 1962)
A brigade of 12 Soviet submarines was based here - a real "awl" at the fifth point of the American fleet. In 1959, one of the submarines from the Albanian base broke through all anti-submarine barriers and conducted a training attack on the cruiser Des Moines with the President of the United States on board.
The story with the Albanian base ended sadly: in 1961, due to ideological differences, there was a break in relations between the two states. An urgent evacuation of the base followed. Four Soviet boats, which were being repaired at the time, were captured by the Albanians.
Surabaya, Indonesia (1962)
There is very little information about this object. It is only known that in December 1961, four submarines of the Pacific Fleet headed for the Indonesian shores. After a series of strange manipulations and conflicting orders, the submarines were transferred to the Indonesian Navy. In the summer, the second formation came - six more submarines and a floating supply base, and, soon, Soviet sailors were almost drawn into an armed conflict between Indonesia and the Netherlands.
However, the story with Indonesia ended on an optimistic note - as a result of joint "exercises", the USSR supplied the Indonesians with military equipment worth $ 1 billion (including a cruiser, 6 destroyers and 12 submarines, as well as 40 patrol ships, minesweepers and missile boats). To the credit of the Indonesian leadership, this is perhaps the only country that has fully paid off its Soviet debts - without any scandals or delays.
Berbera, Somalia (1964 - 1977)
A first-class naval base on the shores of the Gulf of Aden, a real oasis of civilization in the middle of the Somali mess. Gatekeeper at the entrance to the Red Sea, which controls the strategically important transport route Europe-Asia (via the Suez Canal).
In addition to the infrastructure for the ships of the Navy, a unique runway 05/23 with a length of 4140 meters was built at Berbera Airport - at that time the longest on the African continent. It was planned to base the base anti-submarine and reconnaissance aircraft here, and, if necessary, place strategic bombers and missile carriers.
As for Somalia itself, the USSR tried its best to support the economy and agriculture of the backward country; taught her the officer corps, supplied equipment and all the necessary goods. In the open press, there are data that the unpaid debt of Somalia to the USSR (and, therefore, Russia) is 44 tons in terms of gold. How much can you trust this incredible figure? In any case, there is no doubt that the Soviet Union paid dearly for its ambitions that time.
From Somalia, in this case, little was required: just not to let the Americans into its territory, and also regularly raise his hand during a voice at the UN at the signal of the Soviet representative.
It all happened suddenly: in 1977, the Ethiopo-Somali war broke out. The Soviet Union, of course, was shocked by both "allies", nevertheless, it had to choose whom to support in this fierce feud between two strange peoples. The choice fell on Ethiopia. The Somalis did not tolerate the offense and demanded that the PMTO be evacuated within three days. They didn't get involved in an endless conflict with the savages - they just dropped everything and left …
Instead of us, the Americans came - the US Air Force appreciated runway 05/23, adding it to the list of reserve landing lanes for the Shuttles.
So, the Soviet Navy was expelled from Somalia …
Nokra, Ethiopia (1977 - 1991)
The Soviet Navy was expelled from Somalia … and the Soviet PMTO safely "moved" 400 km to the north, on the Ethiopian coast. A superpower differs from ordinary states by the presence of numerous allies in almost any region of the Earth. It did not grow together in one place - there are always a dozen alternative options in stock.
To the question: where can we put a base here, the Ethiopians just shrugged their shoulders - wherever you want. Ethiopian leader Mengistu Haile Mariam kindly offered the two largest ports of Massawa and Assab, but, alas, it turned out to be too risky to build anything on the coast - the country was torn apart by endless civil strife. The choice fell on the Dahlak archipelago, more precisely, on one of its islands - Nokra.
Here, on the territory of the former Italian penal servitude, there is a logistics center for the USSR Navy. A floating dock PD-66 with a carrying capacity of 8,500 tons was urgently delivered to the island (enough for docking and emergency repairs of a multipurpose nuclear submarine or destroyer). Soon diving and fire boats, tugboats, floating workshops, tankers, and refrigerated vessels approached. To support the actions of the marines, the BDK was constantly based here, and to solve counter-sabotage tasks, the special forces of the Protection of the Water Region (Black Sea Fleet) were on watch.
The place was restless - there were several cases of shelling of Soviet ships and vessels. In August 1984, it was necessary to sweep the Red Sea from mines put up by a certain organization "Al-Jihad". The following year, there was a radiation accident on the K-175 nuclear submarine - the submarine's crew and base personnel were seriously exposed. Of course, the incident was covered with the strictest secrecy and hidden from the leadership of Ethiopia.
Victoria, Seychelles. (1984 - 1990)
How great it is to be at the right time at the right moment! On November 25, 1981, a detachment of warships of the USSR Navy was near the Seychelles when an attempted coup took place in the capital of a small state - a group of mercenaries from South Africa was captured and rendered harmless right at Victoria airport.
The Soviet ships immediately followed to the scene. As it turned out, very opportune - and although the evacuation of the USSR embassy was not required, such a prompt arrival of the Soviet fleet made the most positive impression on the government of the Seychelles.
In 1984, an agreement was concluded with the leadership of the island state on business calls by Soviet ships and vessels at the port of Victoria and the landing of our military aircraft at the capital's airport.
Instead, the USSR acted as one of the guarantors of the country's security - in fact, the Seychelles observed neutrality and tried to make friends with the whole world. In addition, three patrol boats were donated to the Seychelles to protect the maritime economic zone. So, practically free of charge, the Soviet Navy acquired an unsinkable aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean - the length of the concrete runway is 2987 meters!
Cam Ranh, Vietnam (1979 - 2002)
The best of the foreign naval bases of the USSR. Mild climate, warm and calm South China Sea, deep and clean water area, mountains protecting the bay from the winds - Cam Ranh Bay is recognized as one of the most convenient places for basing ships and vessels in the Pacific Ocean.
Officially, this place was called the 922nd PMTO, and, in addition to the anchorage of ships and vessels in Cam Ranh Bay, it included the Bashon (Ho Chi Minh) shipyard and a large airfield located nearby.
Initially, during the Vietnam War, Cam Ranh Bay was a major rear base, housing the US Air Force's 12th Fighter and 483rd Transport Wing. American specialists have built here a wonderful airfield with a four-kilometer concrete road, and nearby there is a modern port with all the necessary infrastructure.
As a result, all these facilities became the property of the Soviet Navy. Moreover, the PMTO Cam Ranh went to the USSR Navy completely free of charge - on the basis of a gratuitous lease for a period of 25 years. The image of the Superpower opened up incredible opportunities for the Union and brought fabulous dividends.
In accordance with the Agreement, up to 10 Soviet surface ships, 8 submarines with a floating base and up to 6 other naval vessels could be simultaneously based in the military port of Cam Ranh. 16 aircraft-missile carriers, 9 reconnaissance aircraft and 2-3 transport aircraft are allowed to stay at the airfield at the same time. Based on the situation, the number of ships and aircraft could be increased by agreement between the USSR and Vietnam. In other words, the Vietnamese did not mind if the entire Pacific Fleet came to Cam Ranh.
Wreckage of abandoned American armored vehicles
Entrance to the PMTO Cam Ranh
The total area of the base was about 100 sq. kilometers. The number of military and civilian contingents of the base in different years could reach 6-10 thousand people. By the time their Cam Ranh departed, the following were built on the territory of the base:
- housing estate PMTO: headquarters of military unit 31350 and personnel barracks, a canteen for personnel for 250 seats, a bakery, a bath and laundry plant, a club, a secondary school No. 183, 18 residential buildings, a joint warehouse for storing and issuing material resources, an automobile park (together with special equipment);
- diesel power plant with a capacity of 24 MW to provide electricity to the garrison and adjacent Vietnamese villages;
- fuel storage with a capacity of 14,000 cubic meters meters;
- 2 refrigerators with a total capacity of 270 tons of products;
- 6 wells to provide the PMTO and ships with fresh water;
As well as a pier area with berths and port weapons, an arsenal, storage facilities for material values and a large naval hospital.
Alas, with the collapse of the USSR, problems began - Vietnam, realizing that the state respected by the whole world no longer exists, demanded a revision of the agreement and the introduction of payment for the lease of the base. Timid attempts by the Vietnamese remained unanswered, nevertheless, in 2001, the Russian Federation refused to extend the treaty and began an early withdrawal of the contingent from Vietnamese territory. The last Russian servicemen left Cam Ranh in May 2002.
A snapshot of the Cam Ranh airbase taken by an SR-71 scout
Epilogue
The story about seven naval bases, PMTO and ship stops is just NOTHING part of the entire basing system of the Soviet fleet. In addition to facilities in Finland, Albania, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Seychelles and in the Horn of Africa, the Soviet Navy managed to "light up" in many other places:
- naval base Cienfuegos and naval communications center "Priboy" in the town of El Gabriel (Cuba);
- VMB Rostok (GDR);
- Naval base Hodeidah (Yemen);
- Alexandria and Marsa Matruh (Egypt);
- Tripoli and Tobruk (Libya);
- Luanda (Angola);
- Conakry (Guinea);
- Bizerte and Sfax (Tunisia);
- Tartus and Latakia (Syria);
……………
This list is so incredible that it sounds like an anecdote in today's reality.
President of Angola A. Neto on the deck of a Soviet aircraft-carrying cruiser
To date, the Russian Navy has only a few foreign objects:
- 720th PMTO in Tartus (Syria);
- 43rd communication center of the Russian Navy "Vileika" (Belarus). Provides communication with nuclear submarines, which are on duty in the vastness of the Atlantic, Indian and, in part, the Pacific oceans.
- 338th communication center of the Russian Navy "Marevo" (Kyrgyzstan), a similar purpose.
- and, of course, the main base of the Black Sea Fleet - Sevastopol (Sevastopol, Yuzhnaya, Karantinnaya, Kazachya bays) with adjacent infrastructure and a number of facilities on the Crimean peninsula.
PMTO Tartus, Syria
