The Russian Navy Caspian Flotilla will have received three new tugs
in 2016 and Project 12061 Murena-class (NATO reporting name: Tsaplya-class)
air-cushioned landing craft in 2017, the flotilla’s commander,
Rear Admiral Igor Osipov, told TASS in an interview on Friday. |
"The
advanced SB-738 rescue tug built for search and rescue operations in
support of the flotilla will start its trials as soon as March. In addition,
there are plans to have two more tugs built. Next year, Project 12061
Murena-class assault hovercraft will join the flotilla’s inventory,"
the admiral said.
According to the flotilla commander, his force will have received six
more warships and boats prior to 2020. In addition to brand-new ships,
there will be an upgrade of the in-service fleet too. For instance,
the Tatarstan guided missile ship, the flagship of the flotilla, has
been upgraded, which will improve the performance of her onboard systems
and mechanisms.
"At present, the up-to-date combatant ships and boats account
for over 80% of the Caspian Flotilla’s inventory and will have
stood at 90% by 2020. The flotilla’s capabilities are growing
year in, year out. I am certain that we are quite capable of defending
the Motherland’ border," Osipov emphasized.
According to the press office of the Southern Military District, the
Caspian Flotilla has taken delivery of 13 advanced ships and auxiliary
vessels over the last two years - the Project 21631 (Buyan-M-class)
Grad Sviyazhsk, Uglich and Veliky Ustyug guided missile corvettes, Serna
landing craft, seven integrated rescue support boats, the SB-45 rescue
tug and BTR-79 floating crane.
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