Bases and ships: approaches to the deployment of forces and assets abroad
Frigate "Admiral Kasatonov" project 22350
Developed countries strive to ensure the presence of their armed forces in all areas of the planet that are of interest to them. One of the best tools for solving this problem are bases abroad, capable of receiving formations of different types of troops. However, there is an opinion according to which modern and promising technologies make it possible to do without overseas facilities and get all the necessary opportunities.
Question of necessity
At the suggestion of Russian officials, the fundamental possibility of building our military bases on the territory of foreign countries has been discussed in recent weeks. As a possible location of such objects, the countries of Latin America are considered - friendly to Russia and as close as possible to the territory of a potential enemy in the face of the United States.
An interesting opinion on the issue of foreign bases was expressed by the head of the State Duma Defense Committee and former Deputy Defense Minister Andrei Kartapolov. On January 18, in the Solovyov.live program, he noted that modern weapons technologies make it possible to do without ground infrastructure abroad.
"Admiral Gorshkov" - the carrier of "Caliber" and "Zircons"
A kind of alternative for overseas bases, incl. in Latin America, named hypersonic weapon and its bearers. So, being at a given point in the Atlantic Ocean, a ship or submarine with a hypersonic missile can complete the assigned combat mission and immediately leave the launch area. With such capabilities, the need for bases in Cuba or Venezuela simply disappears.
Also A. Kartapolov noted the fundamental difference in the survivability and stability of objects and pennants fleet. A stationary ground base poses a threat to the enemy, but is itself vulnerable to his attacks. Ships and submarines, unlike her, are able to escape from the attack.
In general, the head of the Duma committee believes that Russia does not need bases on foreign territory. He also suggested that the possibility of their deployment is not even considered by the relevant departments and structures. However, the colonel-general did not rule out the appearance of bases.
base vs ship
Taking into account the deteriorating military-political situation, it is proposed to provide for the deployment of strike weapons at the maximum distance from our borders and at the minimum from the territory of a potential enemy. Such tasks can be solved with available forces and means, for example, in the form of the Navy, or with the help of new bases in remote countries.
Multi-purpose nuclear submarine "Severodvinsk" pr. 885 - the first underwater carrier of "Zircon"
Both of these approaches have pros and cons of various kinds. They must be taken into account when drawing up new strategies and when planning future military development. At the same time, the needs of the armed forces and their economic and other capabilities, which are of fundamental importance, must be taken into account.
An overseas military base has obvious advantages. At a land facility, it is possible to deploy all the necessary units and formations, to ensure the solution of combat missions and cover from all threats. At the same time, the composition of the garrison and, accordingly, the capabilities of the base can be changed in accordance with current needs and strategies.
However, the construction of such an object is complex and time consuming. It is necessary to find a country in the desired region that is ready to accept the base and all the risks associated with it, organize the construction and equipment of the necessary facilities, etc. At the same time, the construction of a base at a great distance from the borders is associated with well-known organizational, logistical and other difficulties. The operation of the already built and commissioned base will also not be simple and cheap.
Launch of "Zircon" boat "Severodvinsk"
Engaging submarines and surface ships of the Navy with the existing coastal infrastructure on combat duty does not fundamentally require new construction. Moreover, the ships of the fleet are already making trips to the sea, incl. to patrol in remote areas of the oceans. Patrol areas awaiting orders may also be located near the territory of a potential enemy.
The problems with this approach are mostly quantitative. Despite all the successes of shipbuilding in recent years, the number of carriers of hypersonic weapons does not yet allow organizing the constant duty of large ship groups at a great distance from their native shores. Increasing the overall performance of the fleet and the ability to access the oceans takes time and money.
Logistical support is necessary for constant and effective work in the other hemisphere. MTO points could appear in foreign ports, but their construction may also be associated with certain difficulties. However, deploying a supply point is much easier than building a full-fledged base.
Arms problem
In the context of an overseas base, the question arises of weapons designed to threaten the enemy and deter him. We do not yet have ground-based missile systems with the required level of performance. Perhaps in the foreseeable future, new models of land-based hypersonic weapons will appear. It is also fundamentally possible to deploy a long-range aviation and tactical aircraft with hypersonic weapons - if they correspond to the tasks set.
Corvettes of the project 20380 - "Courageous" and "Guarding"
The Navy, in turn, is already preparing to receive serial hypersonic weapons. This year, deliveries of Zircon missiles for use by surface ships will begin, and submarines will also receive them in a few years. With the help of such missiles, the fleet will be able to attack targets at ranges of at least 1000 km, and the interception of these weapons is currently almost impossible.
It should be recalled that the Zircon, according to known data, is an anti-ship missile. Accordingly, it can only be used to attack surface targets. However, based on the technologies of this project, other types of weapons can be created, incl. to destroy ground targets. It is obvious that the development of such a missile will take less time, and in the medium term it will be able to enter service.
In addition, we should not forget about other missiles aboard Russian ships. These products, inferior to the "Zircon" in flight characteristics, have their own tasks and fully comply with them. In addition, they make a ship or submarine a more flexible and effective tool for deterring the enemy or delivering strikes.
Future Strategy
The issue of strategic containment of a potential adversary is of critical importance for the security of our country. To this end, various weapons have already been created and deployed, and new models are being developed, incl. fundamentally new classes. In parallel, various plans are being considered, including the possibility of deploying new bases abroad.
"Guarding" in the sea
However, such ideas do not always find support. Thus, General Kartapolov, in his recent speech, suggested not to overestimate the idea of deploying bases abroad. It is necessary to continue the development of existing forces and means with the use of recently emerging technologies and samples. This approach will solve all problems, but it will be simpler and faster.
In considering such ideas, one should be aware of the existence of other means of nuclear and conventional deterrence. They already meet the requirements, and besides, they are actively developing. Do they need to be supplemented with other forces and means, incl. surface or overseas - the big question.
It is not known which of the options for the development of deterrence forces will be chosen by our Ministry of Defense. However, it is clear that these measures will correspond to the current needs of the country and the army, threats and opportunities. Whether there will be a new foreign base among these measures, time will tell. The appearance of such an object will definitely not go unnoticed.
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