We will reduce the fleet, we will not build bases

9 2010 June 12 232 2

The Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation spoke about the new strategy of his department

Anatoly Serdyukov continues the fundamental reform of the army, which must learn how to spend money, only on effective projects. In this regard, the Minister of Defense said that Russia will reduce the Black Sea fleet and will not build new military bases abroad.

It is not yet clear how many servicemen serving in Sevastopol will be reduced. Currently, the Black Sea Fleet contingent numbers 24 thousand people, Interfax reports.

The reduction of the fleet will update the remaining ships and their weapons.

According to Serdyukov, in the near future negotiations will be held with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, where these issues of upgrading weapons and equipment of the Black Sea Fleet will be included in the agenda.

Currently, the Black Sea Fleet consists of 50 units, including missile the cruiser Moskva, two submarines inoperative, two large anti-submarine ships, three patrol ships, small missile ships, landing ships, reconnaissance ships and rescue ships. Given that, according to the agreement between Moscow and Kiev, up to 388 ships, including 14 diesel submarines, can be in Ukrainian territorial waters.

Russia is going to transfer to the Black Sea Fleet in the Crimea new corvettes of the 20380 project, as well as Lada submarines of the 677 project and modernized Varshavyanka-type 877 submarines. The main headquarters of the Russian Navy previously stated that the Black Sea Fleet will be replenished with 8-10 submarines.

Also, Anatoly Serdyukov said in the Federation Council that Russia does not plan to create new military bases abroad. The Minister said that it is expensive.

"Now Russia has four military bases outside the country and a further increase in their number would probably be too burdensome," Bridor BFM transmits to Serdyukov.

The head of the Ministry of Defense also recalled that Russia, in particular, had lost the naval base that the Soviet Union had in the Gulf of Aden.