Russia to Equip New Nuclear Submarines with Hypersonic Missiles
Russia is in the process of equipping its new nuclear submarines with hypersonic Zircon missiles, the head of Russia's largest shipbuilder told the RIA state news agency in an interview published on Monday."Multi-purpose nuclear submarines of the Yasen-M project will ...
Russia Says It Held Naval Drills with China and Iran
Russia, China and Iran have completed three-way naval exercises in the Arabian Sea that included artillery fire at targets on the sea and in the air, the Russian defence ministry said on Saturday.The exercises, off the Iranian port of Chabahar, took place as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares to host his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Moscow for a three-day state visit starting on Monday.Russia has continued to stage military exercises with partners, especially China, despite the strain on its armed forces from the year-long war in Ukraine, where it has failed to achieve any major ad
Putin Sends Frigate Armed with Hypersonic Missiles to Atlantic Ocean
President Vladimir Putin sent a frigate to the Atlantic Ocean armed with new generation hypersonic cruise missiles on Wednesday, a signal to the West that Russia will not back down over the war in Ukraine.Russia, China, and the United States are in a race to develop hypersonic weapons, which are seen as a way to gain an edge over any adversary because of their speeds - above five times the speed of sound - and maneuverability.In a video conference with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Igor Krokhmal…
On Navy Day, Putin Says US is Main Threat to Russia
President Vladimir Putin on Sunday signed a new naval doctrine which cast the United States as Russia's main rival and set out Russia's global maritime ambitions for crucial areas such as the Arctic and in the Black Sea.Speaking on Russia's Navy Day in the former imperial capital of St Petersburg founded by Tsar Peter the Great, Putin praised Peter for making Russia a great sea power and increasing the global standing of the Russian state.After inspecting the navy, Putin made a short speech in which he promised that what he touted as Russia's unique Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles…
Successful Test: Russian Warship Fires Hypersonic Missile Zircon at Ground Target
Russia said on Monday it had successfully tested a Tsirkon (Zircon) hypersonic cruise missile, a weapon President Vladimir Putin has touted as part of a new generation of missile systems without equal in the world.The defense ministry said in a statement that the missile had been fired from the Admiral Gorshkov, a warship located in the White Sea, and traveled at around seven times the speed of sound before hitting a ground target on the coastline of the Barents Sea more than…
Russia Struggles to Modernize its Navy
President Vladimir Putin calls improving the Russian navy's combat capabilities a priority.The unfinished husks of three guided-missile frigates that have languished for three years at a Baltic shipyard show that is easier said than done.Earmarked for Russia's Black Sea Fleet, the frigates fell victim to sanctions imposed by Ukraine in 2014 after Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula, prompting Kiev to ban the sale of the Ukrainian-made engines needed to propel them.With Moscow unable to quickly build replacement engines for the Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates, construction stopped.
Royal Navy Monitors Russian Warships in English Channel
A British destroyer has shadowed two Russian warships as they passed through the English Channel for the second time this year, the Royal Navy said.HMS Diamond sailed from Dover as the destroyer Severomorsk and cruiser Marshal Ustinov passed by on Tuesday.“This is routine business for the Royal Navy and the second time my ship’s company have undertaken such an escort duty this summer,” said Commander Ben Keith of HMS Diamond.In January, Royal Navy frigate HMS Westminster was sent to monitor four Russian vessels as they passed close to British waters.
British Frigate Escorts Russian Ships through English Channel
A British frigate escorted Russian ships through the English Channel on Monday, Britain’s defense ministry said, adding that it was the latest sign of an upsurge in Russian naval activity near UK waters over the festive period. Royal Navy frigate HMS Westminster was sent to monitor four Russian vessels over the weekend as they passed close to British waters, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said, and will stay with the warships as they head north. The MoD added that two Russian frigates…
Gas Leak on INS Vikramaditya Kills 2 on Board
Two people, including a sailor, were killed and two others injured after inhaling toxic fumes on board India's aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya at Karwar Naval base in Karnataka. The condition of two others injured was stable and constantly being monitored in the Naval Hospital, Karwar, said officials. "The incident of gas leakage took place yesterday evening while the ship was undergoing maintenance repairs in the sewage treatment plant compartment," said a statement issued by Indian navy. Inducted into the Indian Navy two years back, the 45,000 tonne naval ship witnessed the first accident at 5.00 pm on Friday whilst the ship was undergoing maintenance repairs at the naval base. The Navy has ordered an inquiry into the incident.
Russian Warship & Intelligence Vessel Twin Keel Laying
Two new vessels for the Russian Navy will be laid down simultaneously at the Northern Shipyard in St.Petersburg: the warship is the fourth vessel in the Admiral Gorshkov-class of frigates, and the other is the second in a new class of intelligence vessels, reports Barents Observer. The keels of the two vessels will be laid down on November 14, 2013, when the Northern Shipyard celebrates its 101stanniversary informs Barents Observer, citing 'Lenta'. The frigate, which will be named Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Isakov (“Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Isakov”)…
Russia to Deliver Indian Aircraft Carrier in Fall 2013
The 'Vikramaditya', formerly the Russian Navy's Admiral Gorshkov, already years past its set delivery had been due for delivery in December 2012. Pre-handover sea trials in September revealed the ship's boilers were not fully functional, but these defects are expected to be remedied at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk by summer 2013, reports RiaNovosti. Indian media have speculated New Delhi may seek more than $100 million in penalty payments from Russia for the latest delays in handing over the refitted aircraft carrier.
Boilers Below Par in Latest Indian Aircraft Carrier Trial
Seven out of eight steam boilers of the propulsion machinery were found defective during sea trials of 'INS Vikramaditya', delivery date put back. The Vikramaditya, formerly the Russian Navy's Admiral Gorshkov, is to be handed over to India from a Russia shipyard after ongoing sea trials following a much-delayed refit. According to the latest agreements, it was to have been handed over on December 4, but the deadline has been postponed again until October 2013. The problems started when the vessel tried to gain maximum speed.
Russia Plans New Aircraft Carriers
Russia will begin building new aircraft carriers after 2020 in a major boost to Moscow's ability to deploy air power abroad. If the plans reach fruition, it would be a major boon to the Russian navy, which currently fields only one aging aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov. The Kuznetsov, part of the navy’s Northern Fleet, was built in 1985 and has been scheduled to undergo a major overhaul. Another former Russian carrier, the Admiral Gorshkov, was sold to India in 2005, refitted and renamed the Vikramaditya and is currently undergoing sea trials in the Barents Sea.
Indian Aircraft Carrier to Sea Trial Shortly
Indian Navy's aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (former Russian Admiral Gorshkov) will depart for the White Sea on June 8 at 2 am to start sea trials, according to a Sevmash shipyard spokesman. The carrier's sea trials will last 120 days. If any defects are detected, the ship will stop trials and return to Sevmash to put them right. The Indian Navy was planning to begin trials of the carrier in late in May 2012. Sevmash shipyard is due to deliver the ship in Dec 2012. India agreed with Russia to purchase Admiral Gorshkov in 2004. The contract value was $1.5 bln.
India's Aircraft Carrier Sea Trial Postponed
Sea trials of the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier being overhauled for the Indian navy at the Sevmash shipyard in northern Russia have been postponed until the beginning of June, the shipyard said. The purchase of the Soviet-built Admiral Gorshkov was agreed in 2005 but delivery to India has been long delayed. The cost of refurbishing the aircraft carrier, to be renamed INS Vikramaditya, has since gone up from $947 million to $2.3 billion. The vessel was originally scheduled…
Aircraft Carrier to Join India Navy
Refubished Kiev-class aircraft carrier, formerly 'Admiral Gorshkov' for sea trials in the Barents Sea. Repaired and converted at the Russian Sevmash shipyard, the 45,000 ton flat-top is expected to undergo testing in the Barents Sea shortly, before hand-over to the Indian Navy. In addition, the ship will undertake a 3,5 month test expedition before acceptance.
India Aims for Blue-Water Navy
A truly blue-water Navy with strategic reach to operate from Africa's eastern coast right up to Malacca Straits. A satellite networked-force with maritime surveillance capabilities to keep tabs on the entire Indian Ocean Region (IOR). That, in short, is the mantra of Admiral Sureesh Mehta, who took over as the India's Navy chief from Admiral Arun Prakash. It's certainly required with maritime security now becoming inextricably entwined with overall strategic policy, with the fact that both China and Pakistan are taking rapid strides towards boosting their naval capabilities. India is dependent on sea-borne trade, with 90 percent of its total trade by volume being transported through waterways. It also has to keep track of its vast Economic Exclusive Zone.