Russia Navy decides on six-ship task force in the Mediterranean

http://www.geostrategy-direct.com/geostrategy-direct/secure/2013/03_27/me.asp

 

Russia Navy decides on six-ship task force in the Mediterranean

MOSCOW — Russia has reached a decision on its new naval task force in the Mediterranean Sea.

Officials said the Russian Navy has determined that it would deploy up to six warships in the Mediterranean in an effort to defend Moscow's interests in the Middle East. They said the new force, meant to consist of frigates and cruisers, would draw from existing fleets.

"Up to five or six warships must be present in the Mediterranean Sea on a permanent basis and control must be exercised through the command of the [Russian] Black Sea Fleet," Russian Navy commander Adm. Viktor Chirkov said.

In an interview to the Defense Ministry's television network on March 17, Chirkov signaled a decision on the scope of the new Russian task force in the Mediterranean. Earlier, officials said the size of the mission would be determined by the Defense Ministry and based on budget and naval resources.

Officials said the task force could spur plans to modernize and expand the Syrian ports of Latakia and Tartous. Tartous has been the only fulltime Russian Navy base abroad, but could not accommodate large ships, particularly frigates and aircraft carriers.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu confirmed that the Kremlin reached a decision on the deployment of the task force. Shoigu, who did not provide a timetable, said a key challenge would be the maintenance of the fleet, expected to be supplied by the navy's base in Syria.

"I believe that we have the capability to form and maintain such a task force," Shoigu said.