Putin approved the new Naval Doctrine and the Naval Charter of the Navy
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed decrees approving the new Naval Doctrine and the Ship Charter of the Russian Navy. The US policy of dominance is recognized as the main threat to Russia at sea. Moscow intends to intensify its activities in the archipelagos of Svalbard, Franz Josef Land, as well as on Novaya Zemlya and Wrangel Island. In addition, it is planned to bypass the blockade of Kaliningrad.
The signing ceremony of the decrees on the approval of the new Naval Doctrine and the Naval Charter was held in the building of the State Museum of the History of St. Petersburg in the Peter and Paul Fortress. President Vladimir Putin said that the Maritime Doctrine outlines the tasks of ensuring the security and national interests of Russia. He noted that protection will be provided firmly and "by all available means."
The Naval Doctrine of June 17, 2015 is recognized as invalid. The decree on the Ship's Charter amends the statutes of the internal service, garrison and guard services of the Armed Forces of Russia. Both documents come into force from the moment of signing.
"The key here is the capabilities of the Navy. He is able to respond with lightning speed to anyone who decides to encroach on our sovereignty and freedom. The fleet successfully and honorably performs strategic tasks on the borders of our country and in any area of the world ocean. It has a high readiness for active actions of its coastal, surface, air, underwater forces and means. They are constantly improving," Putin said.
Separately, he mentioned the Zircon hypersonic missile systems, for which "there are no barriers." Putin said that in the coming months, the hypersonic complex will enter service with the fleet. The first ship equipped with "Zircon" will be the frigate "Admiral Gorshkov".
"The area of service of the ship equipped with hypersonic and cruise missiles "Zircon" will be chosen based on the interests of ensuring the security of Russia," the President added.
"Opposition from the United States"
The new Naval Doctrine includes a number of key changes. So, if in the 2015 doctrine, the external threat was the buildup of NATO's power potential, now the main danger is the United States and its allies.
"The main challenges and threats to the security and development of the Russian Federation related to the oceans are: the strategic course of the United States to dominate and their global influence on the development of international processes, including those related to the use of transport communications and energy resources of the oceans," the document says on the Kremlin's website.
The threat, according to the document, is also represented by the desire of the United States and allies to restrict Russia's access to the resources of the World Ocean and vital maritime transport communications, the desire of the United States to achieve the superiority of its Navy over the forces of other countries and territorial claims against Russia by a number of states. Economic, political, informational and military pressure on the Russian Federation in order to discredit and reduce the effectiveness of its maritime activities is also dangerous.
The doctrine names important zones that affect national and strategic security, as well as the country's economy. These include the Kuril and Baltic Straits, the Black Sea and the eastern part of the Mediterranean, including the world's maritime transport communications running along the Asian and African coasts.
Also in the doctrine, one of the main risks is called an insufficient number of basing points for Russian ships abroad. The risks also include the introduction by a number of countries of restrictions for Russian shipbuilding enterprises of the defense industry and oil and gas companies, including those related to the transfer of modern technologies, equipment supplies and attracting long-term financing.
Military reinforcement
According to the new doctrine, Russia, if it exhausts the possibilities of political, diplomatic and other non-forceful instruments in vital areas of the World Ocean, can use military force. In areas of the world Ocean that are not vital for Russia, Moscow uses "primarily political and legal instruments, mechanisms of diplomacy and information actions, and also uses other nonviolent methods."
Russia also intends to improve and develop the grouping of forces of the Black Sea Fleet in the Crimea. In addition, it is envisaged to strengthen the geopolitical positions of the Russian Federation in the Black and Azov Seas and to provide the country with an international legal regime in these seas for the use of their aquatic biological resources, exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon deposits, laying and operation of underwater pipelines.
"Improving and strengthening the groupings of forces (troops) of the Black Sea Fleet, developing their infrastructure in the Crimea and on the coast of the Krasnodar Territory," the document says.
The doctrine notes that the development of production facilities for the construction of aircraft carriers is one of the key priorities of the Russian shipbuilding industry. The priorities also include "the introduction of advanced digital technologies, digital platforms at all stages of the life cycle of ships, vessels and marine equipment; ensuring maximum localization of shipbuilding production in the territory of the Russian Federation."
"The priority directions of the development of the shipbuilding complex of the Russian Federation are: ensuring the capabilities of the shipbuilding complex of the Russian Federation for the construction of large-tonnage vessels, including modern aircraft carriers for the Navy," the doctrine says.
Transport accessibility of Kaliningrad
The doctrine also includes ensuring the transport accessibility of Kaliningrad through the operation of a ferry line in the direction of the seaports of Ust-Luga and St. Petersburg.
In addition, it provides for the development of domestic coastal and port infrastructure. We are talking about railway tracks, logistics centers and port complexes, including processing facilities, throughout the Baltic Basin.
The Arctic bridgehead
Among the priorities of the maritime national policy is the provision of a given operational regime in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation by strengthening the combat potential of the forces (troops) The Northern and Pacific Fleets, as well as the FSB bodies in accordance with the existing and predicted nature of military dangers and military threats in the Arctic.
It is noted that Russia will strengthen its leading position in the study and development of the Arctic marine spaces and intensify maritime activities in the archipelagos of Svalbard and Franz Josef Land. It is also expected to intensify activities on Novaya Zemlya and Wrangel Island.
In the Arctic direction, the priorities of the country's maritime policy also indicate "strengthening the leading positions of the Russian Federation in the study and development of the Arctic sea spaces." We are talking about carrying out geological exploration, updating the available data on mineral deposits and safe development of deposits of natural resources of the Arctic continental shelf of Russia.
The intention to monitor the naval activities of foreign states in the waters of the Northern Sea Route is also indicated. Russia intends to continue marine scientific research, exploration and work to expand and legally consolidate the outer boundary of the continental shelf of the Russian Federation in the Arctic Ocean.
Pacific direction and the Atlantic
According to the doctrine, Russia will develop the forces and systems based on the Pacific Fleet, the FSB and the forces of the Rosgvardiya. The objectives are the creation of conditions for a naval presence and the formation of logistics points in the states of the Asia-Pacific region for the creation of inter-fleet transitions of naval forces. It is also planned to develop a technological shipbuilding complex in the Far East for the construction of large-tonnage vessels, including aircraft carriers.
Russia will "resolutely defend" its national interests and create conditions for stable economic cooperation with foreign states.
"National policy in the Atlantic direction is determined taking into account the existence of NATO, whose activities are aimed at direct confrontation with the Russian Federation and its allies, the determining factor in relations with NATO remains the unacceptability for the Russian Federation of plans to advance NATO's military infrastructure to its borders and attempts to give the alliance global functions," the text of the doctrine says.
Caspian and Indian Ocean
Russia will develop the troops and basing systems of the Caspian Flotilla, as well as strengthen cooperation with the naval forces of the states of the region.
In the Indo-Pacific direction, it is planned to develop naval cooperation with India, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region. It is also planned to expand Russian shipping in the region.
Mikhail Rodionov
