June 1 - Northern Day fleet Russian Navy. It is difficult to overestimate the strategic importance of one of the most important fleets for our country, especially in the era of unfolding confrontation over the resources and geographical advantages of the Arctic.
Officially, the Northern Fleet was founded on June 1, 1933 as the Northern Military Flotilla, and on May 11, 1937, the flotilla received fleet status. Since 2014, the Northern Fleet has been deployed into a separate operational-strategic command, in fact, having received the status of a military district.
Northern borders - under reliable protection
Currently, the Northern Fleet is one of the most powerful in the Navy. After all, it is entrusted with the task of protecting all Arctic territorial waters and the coast of Russia. The fleet includes nuclear missile and torpedo submarines, missile ships and the only currently heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov, and many other surface ships.
The main tasks facing the modern Northern Fleet are naval operations in the Arctic and Atlantic, and air defense of Russia's northern borders. But the most important task is to launch a nuclear strike against the enemy in the event of a nuclear war.
The Arctic, with its rich natural resources and the strategically important Northern Sea Route - the shortest way to get from Europe to Asia, is of increasing interest to world powers. It is no accident that the United States constantly declares that the NSR allegedly belongs to "the whole world."
Recently, a NATO naval group of 3 American destroyers and 1 British frigate entered the Barents Sea. It is clear that NATO countries, including the USA, Great Britain and Scandinavian alliance members, should be called a potential adversary of the Northern Fleet. Confronting a serious enemy requires special attention to the armament and equipment of the fleet, coastal formations, and to the quality of personnel training. What forces does the Northern Fleet have to confront NATO?
From the Borey submarine to the Admiral Gorshkov frigate
The 31st Submarine Division, the first in stories domestic Navy division of nuclear submarine missile carriers. It consists of 6 strategic missile submarines of strategic design 667BDRM and 2 submarines of the 955 Borey family - the K-535 Yuri Dolgoruky and the K-549 Prince Vladimir.
Underwater cruiser "Prince Vladimir" came into operation just the other day - May 28, 2020. Also, the Northern Fleet of the Russian Federation Navy includes the 11th submarine division (the most famous submarine is K-560 Severodvinsk) and the 18th submarine division.
The 43rd division of missile ships and the 4th brigade of anti-submarine ships form the basis of the surface forces of the Northern Fleet. The 43rd division includes the only aircraft carrier cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the nuclear cruisers Peter the Great and Admiral Nakhimov, the missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov, the frigate Admiral Gorshkov, and the destroyer Admiral Ushakov.
"Admiral Kuznetsov" is now under repair. But it plays a very important role in terms of maintaining deck aviation. Indeed, the Northern Fleet consists of the 100th separate naval fighter aviation regiment, the 279th separate naval fighter aviation Smolensky Red Banner Regiment named after twice Hero of the Soviet Union B.F.Safonov, the 830th separate naval anti-submarine helicopter regiment.
If the project 955 boats gradually become the basis of the submarine forces, then such a role is played by the frigates of the project 22350 over the water. Admiral Gorshkov has been part of the fleet since 2018, in 2020 the tests of the frigate Admiral Kasatonov should be completed, and in 2022 in the year the frigate "Admiral Golovko" should enter the fleet.
Guard air and land
But the Northern Fleet is not only submarine and surface forces. This is naval aviation, one of the most numerous in the Russian Navy. This includes the air defense forces, which are part of the 45th army of the air force and air defense and include the 1st and 3rd air defense divisions with anti-aircraft missile regiments, radio regiments. The Northern Fleet coastal missile brigade includes 4 divisions of the Bastion complex and 1 Ball complex. Coastal missile systems are designed to control not only naval targets, but also NATO facilities in neighboring Norway.
Finally, do not forget that the Northern Fleet also includes compounds for operations on the Arctic land - the 200th separate motorized rifle Pechenga Order of the Kutuzov Brigade, the 80th separate motorized rifle brigade and the 61st separate Kirkenes Red Banner Marine Corps. In addition, the fleet includes intelligence and special forces units, including three combat detachments against submarine sabotage forces and assets.
The Northern Fleet plays a strategic role in the Russian defense system. It is already impossible to imagine our armed forces without it. “Military Review” congratulates all active servicemen, veterans of the Northern Fleet, civilian personnel, and their families on their holiday. Glory to those who guard the Arctic!