Phasing NATO Out of Arctic: Russia Arming Up Northern Fleet With New Weapons
SputnikNews.com
01.06.2017
As competition for the Arctic mineral wealth heats up and NATO continues to build up its military presence near Russia’s western borders, the Northern Fleet is becoming key to ensuring the country’s national security and economic interests.
New ships and subs
As part of the State Armament Program for 2011-2020, the Northern Fleet has received two nuclear-powered submarines — the Yuri Dolgoruky and the Severodvinsk), a diesel-electric one (the Saint Petersburg) and the Yuri Ivanov medium reconnaissance ship.
A multirole long-range frigate, the Admiral Gorshkov, and a large landing ship, the Ivan Gern, are slated to be commissioned before the end of this year.
The planned construction of the heavy aircraft carrier the Shtorm (Storm) to replace the veteran Admiral Kuznetsov flatship has been put on ice for lack of funds with Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov saying that the contract to build the Shtorm will be signed only in 2025.
The same with the Lider Project heavy nuclear-powered destroyers, whose construction has likewise been pushed back beyond 2025 due to their high cost and technical complexity.
Second wind
This doesn’t mean that the Northern Fleet will be left without modern surface ships though.
The Admiral Kuznetsov, which had problems with its propulsion and other systems during the recent tour of duty in the eastern Mediterranean, will be upgraded with advanced electronics, radars and onboard navigation gear.
The Rest…HERE
