After the annexation of Crimea to Russia, the Ministry of Defense had to urgently finalize strategies designed to ensure the country's security. In addition, updated plans were prepared for the development of various formations of the armed forces. Crimea has traditionally been and continues to be the main base of the Black Sea Fleet, which is why it is proposed to pay special attention to the development of the fleet itself and its infrastructure. In recent months, representatives of the Ministry of Defense have repeatedly talked about plans to upgrade and re-equip the Black Sea Fleet. The latest statements on this score were made by the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral Viktor Chirkov, a few days ago.
In an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Admiral Chirkov spoke about the future of the Black Sea Fleet, its ships and ground infrastructure. First of all, the military leader expressed disagreement with the widespread thesis about the low strategic importance of the Black Sea Fleet. Although this operational-strategic formation is based in the "closed" Black Sea, it has its own strategic objectives and areas of responsibility. Upon receipt of an order, ships and submarines of the Black Sea Fleet can operate in various areas at a great distance from bases.
In connection with the annexation of Crimea, the military department was able to make full-fledged plans for the modernization of the Black Sea Fleet. Now, on the peninsula, you can create a full-fledged naval force capable of containing various threats to the country's security. Of greatest importance in this context is the construction of new ships, submarines and auxiliary vessels. An equally important issue is the construction of new infrastructure and the modernization of the existing one. In addition, some measures are being taken to renew the units of the ground forces of the Black Sea Fleet.
According to Admiral V. Chirkov, by the end of this decade, the Black Sea Fleet should be replenished with about 30 warships, submarines and auxiliary vessels. Ships of the first, second, third and fourth ranks are planned for construction and transfer to the fleet. One of the most important directions in the development of the Black Sea Fleet is the construction of submarines.
At present, the construction of Project 636 Varshavyanka submarines is underway. Until 2016, it is planned to build and enter the Black Sea Fleet of six such submarines. The first two submarines of this type, Novorossiysk and Rostov-on-Don, will begin service this year. The appearance of six new diesel-electric submarines will significantly change the balance of power in the Black Sea and significantly increase the combat capabilities of the Black Sea Fleet. The new submarines will make it possible to restore the submarine forces of the Black Sea Fleet and will become a tool for solving relevant tasks.
V. Chirkov recalled that on August 22 the flag of the Russian Navy was raised on the Novorossiysk submarine. This submarine will be based in Novorossiysk, but before moving to the base, it must complete weapons tests at one of the Northern Fleet's training grounds. The Admiralteiskie Verfi shipyard continues the completion of the already launched boats Rostov-on-Don and Stary Oskol. These submarines were launched in late June and late August, respectively. The formation of the hull of the Krasnodar submarine continues. By the end of this October, it is planned to hold the laying ceremony for the Kolpino and Veliky Novgorod submarines, which will complete the ordered series. The transfer of six Varshavyankas is expected to be completed in 2016.
By the end of the year, the Yantar shipyard and representatives of the Navy must complete tests of the lead frigate of Project 11356R / M “Admiral Grigorovich”. This ship is planned to enter the Black Sea Fleet by the beginning of 2015. In the future, the Black Sea sailors will receive five more frigates of this type. Admiral Chirkov noted that the ships of project 11356 under construction will allow the Black Sea Fleet to effectively carry out the assigned tasks not only within the Black Sea, but also beyond it, including in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. "Admiral Grigorovich" and other ships of the new project will operate as part of a permanent task force of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean Sea.
Zelenodolsk Shipyard is currently fulfilling an order from the Navy for the construction of six patrol ships of Project 22160. One of the tasks of these ships will be to patrol the territorial waters and waters included in the exclusive economic zone. In addition to patrolling, they will be engaged in the protection of ships and vessels during sea crossings, and will also protect ports and naval bases. In fact, the patrol ships of Project 22160 will become a modern means of responding to new threats at sea: piracy, smuggling, etc.
Viktor Chirkov recalled that in the foreseeable future, the rescue units of the Black Sea Fleet should receive 12 boats of Project 23370. The lead ship of this project was recently transferred to the Sevastopol Diving School of the Black Sea Fleet, which is a structural unit of the Joint Training Center of the Navy. The boats of the project 23370 are built on a modular basis and due to this they allow performing various tasks of search and rescue of people.
Recently, four large hydrographic boats of project 19920 were built. According to V. Chirkov, one of these boats was transferred to the hydrographic service of the Black Sea Fleet. This research vessel with a displacement of 320 tons carries a crane with a lifting capacity of 3.5 tons and is equipped with a self-propelled pontoon with a lifting capacity of 2 tons. Project 19920 boats are equipped with a multi-beam echo sounder, which allows measuring depths of up to 300 meters.
The new boat, transferred to the Black Sea Fleet, will take part in the renewable hydrographic research of the Black Sea. In the near future, the fleet must study coastal waters, correct navigation charts, check existing radio navigation systems and, if necessary, repair or modernize them. All planned works are planned to be carried out to ensure safe navigation in various regions of the Black Sea. Until 2016, the flotilla of hydrographic vessels of the Black Sea Fleet should receive a certain amount of new equipment.
In Crimea, it is planned to build an integrated system for basing the Black Sea Fleet. This system will include Sevastopol, which is the main base, as well as a number of other points of deployment on the shores of the peninsula. The main task in the framework of the construction of the basing system is considered by the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy to ensure the functionality and self-sufficiency of the bases. The basing points of the Black Sea Fleet should be equipped with everything necessary as soon as possible. The construction of the Novorossiysk geoport will continue, which will complement other bases of the Black Sea Fleet.
The latest information about the development of the Black Sea Fleet has an interesting feature. Almost all plans for the construction of new ships, submarines and auxiliary vessels for this operational-strategic formation were formed earlier and did not undergo major changes. The construction of ships and submarines, which should begin service by the end of this year, started several years ago, long before the annexation of Crimea to Russia. The plans for the construction of their "sisterships" have not changed either.
The annexation of Crimea to Russia led to the elimination of a number of problems that made it difficult to modernize the infrastructure of the Black Sea Fleet. Now the peninsula has become the territory of Russia and thanks to this, the Russian Ministry of Defense can implement all existing plans without serious difficulties. The emergence of such an opportunity led to the development of a program for the modernization of the Black Sea Fleet, primarily its infrastructure. Within the framework of this program, various objects of the fleet will be repaired and updated in the coming years.
Despite the geographical features of the location of the bases, the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy is of great strategic importance, since its area of responsibility includes the entire Mediterranean and part of the Atlantic. For this reason, he needs special attention from the command of the Navy and the Ministry of Defense. Currently, a number of plans are being implemented to develop the Black Sea Fleet, its ship formations and infrastructure. All this will help maintain its condition and combat capability at the required level.
