On July 26, the Day of the Navy, it was announced that the updated version of the Naval Doctrine of the Russian Federation was approved. Taking into account the events of recent years and changes in the situation in the world, the military and political leadership of Russia made a decision on the need to finalize the document defining the national maritime policy. Further development of the navy and related spheres should proceed in accordance with the provisions of the updated doctrine.
The appearance of an updated version of the Naval Doctrine was announced at a meeting held in Baltiysk (Kaliningrad Region) aboard the frigate Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov. The meeting was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Viktor Chirkov and Commander of the Western Military District Colonel General Anatoly Sidorov.
During the meeting, some innovations of the updated Naval Doctrine were announced. For various reasons, it was decided to finalize and change some sections of the document, as well as add new ones that were missing earlier. This resulted in the emergence of an updated Doctrine, which, according to V. Putin, was not only drawn up, but also approved. Thus, already now, the development of the Russian Navy should be carried out taking into account the updated Naval Doctrine.
Deputy Prime Minister D. Rogozin spoke about the main innovations of the updated document. At the beginning of his speech, he recalled that the Maritime Doctrine of the Russian Federation is a key and backbone document of the national maritime policy. The development of this document was carried out by the Maritime Collegium under the Russian government. In addition, representatives of the Navy and some related structures took part in the work. In total, 15 departments, structures and organizations were involved in the creation of the updated Doctrine.
D. Rogozin explained the reasons for the appearance of the updated version of the Naval Doctrine. The document that existed until now was adopted in 2001 and determined the country's maritime policy until 2020. However, recently there has been a serious change in the situation in the international arena, and the position of the Russian navy has also changed. The changing situation in the world and the strengthening of Russia as a maritime power led to the need to create an updated and revised version of the Naval Doctrine in accordance with the requirements of the time.
The updated Doctrine provides for four so-called. functional areas and six so-called. regional directions that determine the further development of maritime policy and related areas. The functional areas include naval activities, maritime transport, marine science and the development of minerals. Regional directions: Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific, Caspian, Indian Ocean and Antarctic.
D. Rogozin noted that Antarctica has appeared in the list of regional directions, since this region of the planet is of great interest to Russia. In addition, a lot of different events have been developing in this region recently. However, the Antarctic direction is not a priority. The main accents in the new Maritime Doctrine are made on the Arctic and Atlantic areas. The reasons for this are simple and related to events in the international arena. The Atlantic is of particular interest to Russia in connection with the activities and development of NATO, whose borders are approaching our country. Accordingly, a response is required to such a policy of Western countries.
The second reason for the interest in the Atlantic region is related to the plans for the Black and Mediterranean Seas. After the return of Crimea and Sevastopol to Russia, it is necessary to take all measures aimed at the earliest possible integration of the new subjects of the federation into the economy of the entire country. In addition, the presence of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean, which also applies to the Atlantic region, should be strengthened.
The special priority of the Arctic, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, is also associated with certain events in the political and economic spheres. Of great importance in this context is the Northern Sea Route, which provides unhindered access to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In addition, the continental shelf of the Arctic is rich in various minerals, which should also be taken into account when pursuing your policy. D. Rogozin also recalled that work is currently underway to build a new nuclear icebreaker fleet. Three new icebreakers will join the operation in 2017, 2019 and 2020.
Touching upon the topic of minerals, the Deputy Prime Minister also noted that the updated Maritime Doctrine pays increased attention to the environmental aspects of activities in the Arctic region. It is important not only to develop minerals, but also to preserve natural resources for future generations.
The new version of the Naval Doctrine of the Russian Federation has a section that was absent in the previous version of this document. It is proposed to pay special attention to the development of shipbuilding. According to D. Rogozin, the emergence of such a division is directly related to the successes of the domestic industry achieved over the past 10-15 years. During this time, it was possible to restore the capabilities of the shipbuilding industry. Thus, the volume of military shipbuilding, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, is comparable to the tasks that were solved during the Soviet Union.
Also, the Doctrine pays attention to the civil and commercial fleet. To develop this area, it is proposed to stimulate the creation of private shipbuilding companies. Such organizations have already managed to show their best side. It is proposed to pay attention to them in the future.
D. Rogozin recalled the existence of a section of the Maritime Doctrine, which deals with issues of state management of maritime activities. In particular, this section stipulates the role of the Marine Collegium under the government, as well as clarifies the responsibilities of other government bodies. Thanks to this, immediately after the approval of the Doctrine, all organizations involved in the formation of maritime policy can begin to develop the entire list of documents related to the planning of the country's maritime activities in the short, medium and long term.
In addition to political, economic and military issues, the updated Naval Doctrine also deals with social problems. According to President V. Putin, provisions of a social nature have been included in the updated version of this document for the first time in domestic practice. Thus, a number of measures have been proposed to preserve the health of seafarers and specialists in the maritime industry. In addition, some other innovations are envisaged that will affect the social aspects of the country's maritime activities.
The new version of the Maritime Doctrine of the Russian Federation was drawn up and approved by the President. This means that all organizations involved in the definition of the country's maritime policy can begin drafting new guidance documents that take into account the provisions of the updated Doctrine. The first results of this work may appear in the next few years. At the end of this decade, it appears that the development of a new Maritime Doctrine will begin, which will enter into force in 2020.
