via Navy Recognition.
Vladivostok, the first of two BPC-type vessels (LHD - Landing Helicopter Dock) on order from DCNS for the Russian Federation was floated out of its building dock at STX France's Saint-Nazaire shipyard on 15 October. The event was attended by senior officials representing the French and Russian navies and shipbuilding industries. The programme has proceeded as planned since the contract came into force in late 2011, with the vessels on schedule for delivery in late 2014 and late 2015 respectively.Read the entire story here.
Russia is finally making a move toward developing a real deal "Marine Corps" instead of "Naval Infantry" force. Not only are they getting a modern LHD, but they're also putting on it several capable helicopter gunships, troop transports and are even adopting western style landing craft.
This is new capability.
This opens up new possibilities in the Pacific, Arctic and Persian Gulf. Where once they could only send lightly equipped, though motorized Paratroopers or Spetsnaz, now they can send Naval Infantry that's evolving to a Marine Corps.
"lawds!" I get sea sick just looking at that flat bottom box pitching and tossing in the waves.
ReplyDeleteAs strange as it sounds, those ships are for a defensive purpose, particularly against Japan. Russia's deeply concerned by a possible preemptive Japanese invasion of Southern Kurils(Which is considered legal even under the Peace Constitution because those disputed islands are considered Japanese territories in Japan, and Japan would only be driving out foreign invaders by launching a preemptive invasion), and is attempting to gain an ability to reinforce troops defending the Southern Kuril Islands in a short order.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.eastasiaforum.org/2011/07/17/russia-s-strategic-objectives-in-asia/
Over the past few days the Russian top brass have supplied further details on the tactical deployment and specific missions of the Mistrals. The Chief of General Staff has indicated that they will be used to protect the Kuril Islands, the sovereignty of which is disputed by Japan. This comes as no surprise — when Medvedev and his defence minister visited these territories in 2010 they were appalled to discover that they are garrisoned by ill-trained troops operating WWII-era equipment.
What I find interesting about Russia right now is that the seemed to have scored big in Brazil. The Brazilian president took the NSA spy scandal personally and now it seems that Brazil has moved into Russia's sphere of influence. The Brazilian plans to purchase American arms have been entirely halted or canned all together and just recently there is talk of Russia selling the Su-35 to them again along with possibly selling them development work on the PAK-FA: http://english.pravda.ru/russia/economics/16-10-2013/125921-russia_brazil-0/
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