If anyone had any reservations on the role Russia intends to play in the Mediterranean, one only has to look at the latest move by the world power. A column of marine military vessels has made its way to the basin, and Russia has already expressed that such move is permanent.
The contingent is composed of 10 warships. Some of the vessels are pooled from forces already stationed in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea and Pacific fleets.
Russia has already signified that if the situation worsens, more vessels could be added to the cluster already deployed. So far they are made up of cruisers, anti-submarine ships, patrol boats, landing ships and auxiliary vessels.
The Russian government has declared that the force will be employed chiefly for monitoring and humanitarian operations, but also to curb drug trafficking and piracy.
It is they add, a force that is in place to secure Russian national interest in the Mediterranean.
The contingent already deployed is availing itself of operational experience garnered during the 60s and 80s in the Mediterranean, named Soviet Fifth Squadron, purposely deployed to limit US Sixth fleet in the area during those years.
Source : Xinhua/ 6.7.13
Russia has already signified that if the situation worsens, more vessels could be added to the cluster already deployed. So far they are made up of cruisers, anti-submarine ships, patrol boats, landing ships and auxiliary vessels.
The Russian government has declared that the force will be employed chiefly for monitoring and humanitarian operations, but also to curb drug trafficking and piracy.
It is they add, a force that is in place to secure Russian national interest in the Mediterranean.
The contingent already deployed is availing itself of operational experience garnered during the 60s and 80s in the Mediterranean, named Soviet Fifth Squadron, purposely deployed to limit US Sixth fleet in the area during those years.
Source : Xinhua/ 6.7.13
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