Russian Navy expands military presence in Arctic

Russian Navy expands military presence in Arctic with new warships and additional basing sites, reported RIA Novosti citing Navy Commander-in-Chief ADM Vladimir Vysotsky on Saturday's session of governmental Maritime Board.

"General-purpose forces of Northern and Pacific fleets located in Arctic zone of the Russian Federation continue to increase their combat capabilities by commissioning of newly built ships", said the commander.

"The process is being held in severe conformity to presidentially-approved Russian maritime doctrine", he added.

SSGN Severodvinsk was launched in June 2010; new SSBN Yury Dolgoruky is undergoing state trials; Project 22350 frigate Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Gorshkov is under construction, reminded Vysotsky.

"Proposals on military security of the Northern Sea Route have been already prepared and submitted for approval of the Prime Minister; possibility of temporal basing of Russian warships in en-route ports was also provided", Vysotsky said.

Besides, also were made proposals on potential resource-supporting activities for improvement of reconnaissance system, coastal surveillance system, and development of Navy and Air Force basing system in Arctic.