Journalists of northwestern media agencies were invited onboard Baltic Fleet (BF) corvette Stereguschiy on the eve of Leningrad Naval Base anniversary. To demonstrate service conditions of naval mariners, Western Military District Press Service on March 16 invited reporters on board the most up-to-d
Amount of pirate attacks off African coast sharply reduced in 2011, said French defense minister Gérard Longuet. About 200 attacks were registered in 2011 in contrast to 700 attacks in 2010; pirates captured 13 vessels in 2011, while in 2010 there were 30 ships, reports ITAR-TASS referring to Longue
Two Merlins from 820 Naval Air Squadron in Culdrose flew a 2,800-mile round trip to take part in the world’s biggest anti-submarine exercise, NATO’s Proud Manta. The aircraft – widely acknowledged as the world’s best anti-submarine hunting helicopter – spent a fortnight at Sigonella airbase near Mou
Russian vice premier Dmitry Rogozin may possibly take a defense minister’s office, writes Moskovsky Komsomolets on March 14. Serious changes may happen in one of Russia’s key ministries during organization of a new government. According to Moskovsky Komsomolets, Dmitry Rogozin is considered as a can
Pacific Fleet (PF) mariners will depart for China in order to conduct a large-scale joint exercise. In accordance with the bilateral agreement tied in the last year, PF will dispatch about 10 ships to Qingdao (China), reports Russian defense ministry. Late Apr 2012, naval forces of the two countries
Sailors and marines were buffeted by high winds and pelted by snow and ice as Arctic war games got under way. A blizzard brought flying operations aboard helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious to a standstill in northern Norway, but nearby flagship HMS Bulwark continued to put Dutch marines ashore by la
New infrastructure is to be constructed in Vilyuchinsk before new submarines armed with SLBM Bulava arrive at the base, writes Izvestiya. Mooring quay for Borei-class subs will be constructed on the Rybachy Peninsula to the right of the piers where Calmar-, Schuka-, Paltus-, and Antei-class subs are
Military and civilian maritime professionals from West Africa, Europe, and the United States finalized a challenging training agenda for exercise Saharan Express 2012, March 14. This week’s final planning conference at the Counternarcotics and Maritime Security (COSMAR) interagency operations center
Adviser to the Chief of Russian General Staff and Black Sea Fleet (BSF) ex-commander Igor Kasatonov criticized Ukraine’s stand on replacement of Black Sea Fleet ships, reports UNIAN. Kasatonov says Russia does not increase number of ships in full accordance with agreements. However, when trying to r
Servicemen of Caspian Flotilla (CF) coast defense missile battalion began mastering of newest mobile coastal missile system Bal at the Adanak Range in Dagestan. During a month-long field exercise, CF missilemen study tactics and technical maintenance, conduct firing and driving drills. High emphasis
In 2011, Russian defense ministry tied a number of long-term aircraft procurement contracts; under one of them, the ministry purchased 140 attack helicopters Ka-52 Alligator, director of Oboronprom corporation Andrei Reus told Kommersant. Reus did not specify details of the contract only saying that
In 2012, crews of Black Sea Fleet (BSF) ships will take part in a number of joint naval exercises and diplomatic activities at seaports of Mediterranean countries. In April and August, BSF will attend activations of BLACKSEAFOR joint task force which is presently headed by Russian Navy’s representat
