tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55715884200461763582024-03-14T09:04:18.616+03:007 Feet Beneath the Keel7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-54522625344018122372017-05-06T22:55:00.000+03:002017-05-06T22:55:38.151+03:00Parade Interrupted<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>Diesel submarine Kolpino moored on Neva River (May 3, 2017)</i></div>
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<i>[credit: Sergey Kharitonov]</i></div>
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What should have been a traditional event marking Victory Day in St. Petersburg has ended in a mystery. Every ship that had already arrived in St. Petersburg has suddenly left, and those that were on their way have reversed course.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fDe8QMM6lZc/WQ4noQsEz9I/AAAAAAAABB0/PD2hW7kKeFcmS0B1G-GUUdNpanByUbLLgCLcB/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fDe8QMM6lZc/WQ4noQsEz9I/AAAAAAAABB0/PD2hW7kKeFcmS0B1G-GUUdNpanByUbLLgCLcB/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<i>Patrol combatant Serpukhov underway near Kronshtadt (May 5, 2017)</i></div>
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<i>[credit: Aleksey Akentyev]</i></div>
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In previous years, residents of St. Petersburg could walk along the Neva River on Victory Day and Navy Day and see several ships and even a submarine anchored on the river or moored at quays or floating piers on both sides of the river. And that's how this year's Victory Day preparations began on May 2 with the arrival of a new diesel submarine (Kolpino) and two light frigates (Urengoy and Zelenodolsk). On May 3, they were joined by two mine warfare ships (Aleksandr Obukhov and RT-57). On May 5, three Baltiysk-based warships (Liven, Morshansk, and Serpukhov) arrived in the St. Petersburg area and were expected to take their places on the Neva River over the next few hours.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sEEruU5xOB8/WQ4oDDdGSGI/AAAAAAAABB4/5R88UPJI16AyB4wJA700saQ0GgHeERSUQCLcB/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sEEruU5xOB8/WQ4oDDdGSGI/AAAAAAAABB4/5R88UPJI16AyB4wJA700saQ0GgHeERSUQCLcB/s640/3.jpg" width="614" /></a></div>
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But that's when the mystery began. Minutes after arriving near Northern Shipyard, all three warships reversed course and headed to Kronshtadt. The fleet commander's launch (Burevestnik), which was moored at a Neva River quay, also left port en route to Kronshtadt.<br />
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Today, all the remaining naval ships departed St. Petersburg heading to Kronshtadt. And Liven, Morshansk, and Serpukhov, which never got the chance to moor on the Neva River, departed Kronshtadt heading back to sea, presumably to Baltiysk.<br />
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As defense officials have provided no explanation as to the sudden departure of all scheduled Victory Day participants, everyone is left scratching their heads.<br />
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<i>Weather forecast for St. Petersburg, May 7-9</i></div>
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One popular theory is that the weather in the St. Petersburg will be extremely poor over the next few days. Yes, it will be rainy or overcast most of the time. And the winds will kick up to 7 meters per second (15.7 miles per hour or 13.6 knots) on May 8. But is that too high for ships to be moored on the Neva River?<br />
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Another theory is that the Baltic Fleet may be subjected to a surprise inspection in the next few days, and the ships are returning to their respective bases to prepare.<br />
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Of course, it's not a surprise if you already know about it.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-33026416450719331062017-01-23T11:58:00.001+03:002017-01-23T11:58:40.607+03:00Expansion of RF Navy Logistics Facility in Tartus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tartus, Syria (October 25, 2014)<br />(credit: Google Earth)</i></td></tr>
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On <a href="http://tass.ru/politika/3691052" target="_blank">October 10</a> of last year, RF Deputy Minister of Defense Nikolay Pankov stated that documents had been prepared for establishing a "naval base, on a permanent basis, in Tartus." On <a href="http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/Document/View/0001201701200039" target="_blank">December 23</a>, RF President Putin signed Directive 424-rp, ordering the Ministry of Defense to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordinating and signing an agreement with Syria on expanding the existing RF naval logistics support facility in Tartus. That agreement, which was signed in Damascus on January 18, allows Russia to expand the facility and remain there until at least 2066. But missing from Putin's directive and the final agreement is the term "naval base."<br />
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"The Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Syrian Arab Republic on Expansion of the Territory of the Russian Federation Navy Logistics Support Facility in the Port of Tartus and Entry of Russian Federation Military Ships into the Territorial Sea, Internal Waters and Ports of the Syrian Arab Republic" has several interesting provisions:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><u>Article 2</u> states that Syria concurs with Russia with regards to the "development and modernization of [the facility's] infrastructure for conducting repairs, resupply, and crew rest."</li>
<li><u>Article 5</u> permits "the simultaneous presence of 11 ships, including ships with nuclear power plants, at the facility."</li>
<li><u>Article 6</u> covers the port entry/departure notification process. At least 12 hours notice is required for ships to enter Tartus; if operationally necessary, 6 hours notice is authorized. For departures, 3 hours notice (1 hour if operationally necessary) is required.</li>
<li><u>Article 7</u> specifies some of the work RF can undertake (using its own funds) at the facility: capital repairs; installation of floating piers; dredging work; the catch-all "placement of necessary equipment to support the operations of RF military ships within the territory and water space of the logistics support facility"; use of required communications resources; conducting underwater work and permitting divers to dive from RF military ships.</li>
<li><u>Article 16</u> states that contents of annexes to this agreement may not be shared with a third party without prior written concurrence. Additionally, both sides "will refrain from official publication of annexes to this Agreement."</li>
<li><u>Article 17</u> indicates that if Syria requests, RF may (a) provide "maritime surface and underwater, airborne, and weather status reports for the Mediterranean Sea"; (b) "provide hydrographic support in the territorial sea, internal waters and ports of the Syrian Arab Republic"; (c) "provide support in organizing and conducting anti-swimmer support in the water space of the port of Tartus"; (d) "provide support in organizing and conducting search and rescue support in the territorial sea and internal waters of the Syrian Arab Republic"; (e) "provide support in organizing and conducting air defense of the port of Tartus"; (f) send RF representatives to provide support in restoring the technical readiness of Syria's military ships.</li>
<li><u>Article 25</u> specifies that this agreement is valid for 49 years and will automatically extend for 25-year periods unless one of the parties - within one year of the agreement's expiration - informs the other party of its intention to withdraw from the agreement.</li>
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As any annexes to the agreement will remain confidential (Article 16), it is difficult to fully assess the extent to which the facility will be expanded. For example, the specifics of infrastructure upgrades supporting ship repairs (Article 2) are not stated, but could include a number of options, such as the basing of a floating dry dock at the facility. Such a move would require additional waterfront space and/or upgrades to the existing territory.<br />
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But why there is no mention of a naval base in the agreement?<br />
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According to <i><a href="http://www.ng.ru/world/2017-01-23/2_6909_tartus.html" target="_blank">Nezavisimaya Gazeta</a></i><a href="http://www.ng.ru/world/2017-01-23/2_6909_tartus.html" target="_blank"> reporter Vladimir Mukhin</a>, Iran has expressed concerns about the increased role of Russia in the Middle East, Russia and Turkey teaming up to settle the Syrian conflict, and Russia's intent to work with the U.S. and other countries as part of a coalition. Reading between the lines, Iran's concerns could have led to a change in the wording of the agreement - from the establishment of a naval base to a simpler, friendlier expansion of the existing logistics support facility.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-66174348541313848132016-12-06T11:20:00.000+03:002017-01-23T11:38:03.950+03:00XLT: Rubin Designing Submarine Imitator for RF Navy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Surrogat submarine imitator<br />[credit: Rubin Central Design Bureau]</i></td></tr>
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<i>[Translation of </i><a href="http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/3842981" target="_blank"><i>TASS news article</i></a><b></b><i>]</i><br />
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ROBOT CAPABLE OF IMMITATING ANY SUB BEING CREATED FOR RF NAVY<br />
TASS<br />
December 6, 2016<br />
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<i>According to designer, vehicle will be notable for is simplicity of use and low maintenance and upgrade costs</i><br />
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MOSCOW, December 6. /TASS/. Specialists at Rubin Central Design Bureau have developed a draft concept of the Surrogat robotic complex to be used in RF Navy training. According to the design bureau, talks with the Navy about this project are in progress.<br />
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"Surrogat is equipped with a lithium-ion battery. The submarine imitator is capable of supporting training for up to 15-16 hours and will simulate a foreign submarine's maneuvers the entire time, to include at high speeds. Comparatively large dimensions (approximate 17-meter length) and an ability to employ various towed antennas will allow the vehicle to realistically simulate an enemy submarine's physical fields - acoustic and magnetic," says the Rubin Central Design Bureau.<br />
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The imitator vehicle's modular design allows for its functionality to be altered: Surrogat can imitate both a non-nuclear and nuclear submarine, as well as conduct mapping and survey missions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmfZdSE9aIc/WEZz39lRWLI/AAAAAAAABAg/P8MWqPWTBa83bd_dqNepRZbLvRfn92zuACLcB/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmfZdSE9aIc/WEZz39lRWLI/AAAAAAAABAg/P8MWqPWTBa83bd_dqNepRZbLvRfn92zuACLcB/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Surrogat submarine imitator<br />[credit: Rubin Central Design Bureau]</i></td></tr>
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"Today combat submarines must be used in exercises or testing, which takes them away from executing their primary missions. Using an unmanned imitator will help avoid this and lower the cost of training. Additionally, an unmanned submarine reduces risks while preserving a level of realism. This vehicle will be notable for its simplicity of use and low maintenance and upgrade costs. We are now consulting with RF Navy representatives to ensure the imitator fully satisfies the Navy's requirements," Rubin Central Design Bureau general director Igor Vilnit explained.<br />
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Rubin is not ruling out interest in Surrogat by foreign customers.<br />
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The Surrogat autonomous unmanned submarine displaces about 40 tons, has a range of about 600 miles at a speed of 5 knots, a maximum speed of more than 24 knots, and a maximum diving depth of 600 meters.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-56822555000516751052016-10-10T00:41:00.001+03:002016-10-10T00:56:45.395+03:00"Admiral Kuznetsov" & Friends to Deploy Soon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JX2XSse-rY/V_qymHBZbEI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/OlCAOyG3PCYLnhqwvu95SdhuOmLpGlZ6QCLcB/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JX2XSse-rY/V_qymHBZbEI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/OlCAOyG3PCYLnhqwvu95SdhuOmLpGlZ6QCLcB/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>SU-33 Flanker and MIG-29K Fulcrum on board "Admiral Kuznetsov" -- August 2016</i></td></tr>
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It now appears certain that the Russian Navy's sole aircraft carrier, "Admiral Kuznetsov", along with the nuclear-powered cruiser "Petr Velikiy" and destroyer "Severomorsk", are preparing to deploy within the next week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-tlnwvJmIs/V_qy5qzs5rI/AAAAAAAAA_c/kF3EcnCiVDERM6NQSmqre8ZXz6nOs5vjACLcB/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-tlnwvJmIs/V_qy5qzs5rI/AAAAAAAAA_c/kF3EcnCiVDERM6NQSmqre8ZXz6nOs5vjACLcB/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Petr Velikiy" -- May 2016</i></td></tr>
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According to social media, "Petr Velikiy" was scheduled to transfer to a mooring position near Severomorsk today and depart from there on October 15 for a six- to eight-month deployment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZ0-RCoJOdM/V_qzMAUN1SI/AAAAAAAAA_g/lKLd-8l6H0o63KmvbrR1aI44yAJOdZWQwCLcB/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZ0-RCoJOdM/V_qzMAUN1SI/AAAAAAAAA_g/lKLd-8l6H0o63KmvbrR1aI44yAJOdZWQwCLcB/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Admiral Kuznetsov" performing final preparations -- October 8, 2016</i></td></tr>
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"Admiral Kuznetsov" will arrive at a similar mooring position near Severomorsk on October 11. Interfax, citing an anonymous source, <a href="http://www.interfax.ru/world/530158" target="_blank">earlier reported</a> the aircraft carrier would depart on October 15-20.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vl_XTJhM7I8/V_qzubeAheI/AAAAAAAAA_k/swiWZuVzMnk1Flg4CfT1BElifTsO8mi4gCLcB/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vl_XTJhM7I8/V_qzubeAheI/AAAAAAAAA_k/swiWZuVzMnk1Flg4CfT1BElifTsO8mi4gCLcB/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Severomorsk" at 35th Shipyard -- July 8, 2016</i></td></tr>
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"Severomorsk" is also scheduled to depart on October 15, based on social media.<br />
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Auxiliary support for the deployment will likely include salvage tug "Nikolay Chiker" and oiler "Sergey Osipov". "Nikolay Chiker" is currently moored near Severomorsk Naval Base. "Sergey Osipov" was noted underway near Severomorsk Naval Base on October 8.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A0iJrdvKGyU/V_qz-fGtmFI/AAAAAAAAA_s/1iWplh_hndUm1fNNcNO1ELU03fvM0JdOQCLcB/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A0iJrdvKGyU/V_qz-fGtmFI/AAAAAAAAA_s/1iWplh_hndUm1fNNcNO1ELU03fvM0JdOQCLcB/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>KA-52 Hokum on board "Admiral Kuznetsov" -- August 29, 2016</i></td></tr>
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The aircraft carrier is expected to deploy with a mixed inventory of KA-27/KA-29 Helix and KA-52 Hokum helicopters, as well as SU-33 Flanker and MIG-29K Fulcrum fighters.<br />
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Repairs of "Admiral Kuznetsov" began <a href="http://7fbtk.blogspot.com/2015/05/admiral-kuznetsov-taking-long-nap.html" target="_blank">last spring</a>, and it appeared they would continue until the end of this year; however, the repairs were completed earlier than scheduled. Following a number of underway combat drills and carrier flight operations, "Admiral Kuznetsov" returned to Rosta for final preparations before it transfers to its Severomorsk mooring position this week.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-14572962944902800652016-10-10T00:41:00.000+03:002016-10-10T00:42:26.174+03:00"Admiral Kuznetsov" & Friends to Deploy Soon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JX2XSse-rY/V_qymHBZbEI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/OlCAOyG3PCYLnhqwvu95SdhuOmLpGlZ6QCLcB/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JX2XSse-rY/V_qymHBZbEI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/OlCAOyG3PCYLnhqwvu95SdhuOmLpGlZ6QCLcB/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>SU-33 Flanker and MIG-29K Fulcrum on board "Admiral Kuznetsov" -- August 2016</i></td></tr>
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It now appears certain that the Russian Navy's sole aircraft carrier, "Admiral Kuznetsov", along with the nuclear-powered cruiser "Petr Velikiy" and destroyer "Severomorsk", are preparing to deploy within the next week.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-tlnwvJmIs/V_qy5qzs5rI/AAAAAAAAA_c/kF3EcnCiVDERM6NQSmqre8ZXz6nOs5vjACLcB/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-tlnwvJmIs/V_qy5qzs5rI/AAAAAAAAA_c/kF3EcnCiVDERM6NQSmqre8ZXz6nOs5vjACLcB/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Petr Velikiy" -- May 2016</i></td></tr>
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According to social media, "Petr Velikiy" will transfer to a mooring position near Severomorsk on October 9 and depart from there on October 15 for a six- to eight-month deployment.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZ0-RCoJOdM/V_qzMAUN1SI/AAAAAAAAA_g/lKLd-8l6H0o63KmvbrR1aI44yAJOdZWQwCLcB/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZ0-RCoJOdM/V_qzMAUN1SI/AAAAAAAAA_g/lKLd-8l6H0o63KmvbrR1aI44yAJOdZWQwCLcB/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Admiral Kuznetsov" performing final preparations -- October 8, 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
"Admiral Kuznetsov" will arrive at a similar mooring position near Severomorsk on October 11. Interfax, citing an anonymous source, <a href="http://www.interfax.ru/world/530158" target="_blank">earlier reported</a> the aircraft carrier would depart on October 15-20.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vl_XTJhM7I8/V_qzubeAheI/AAAAAAAAA_k/swiWZuVzMnk1Flg4CfT1BElifTsO8mi4gCLcB/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vl_XTJhM7I8/V_qzubeAheI/AAAAAAAAA_k/swiWZuVzMnk1Flg4CfT1BElifTsO8mi4gCLcB/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Severomorsk" at 35th Shipyard -- July 8, 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
"Severomorsk" is also scheduled to depart on October 15, based on social media.<br />
<br />
Auxiliary support for the deployment will likely include salvage tug "Nikolay Chiker" and oiler "Sergey Osipov". "Nikolay Chiker" is currently moored near Severomorsk Naval Base. "Sergey Osipov" was noted underway near Severomorsk Naval Base on October 8.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A0iJrdvKGyU/V_qz-fGtmFI/AAAAAAAAA_s/1iWplh_hndUm1fNNcNO1ELU03fvM0JdOQCLcB/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A0iJrdvKGyU/V_qz-fGtmFI/AAAAAAAAA_s/1iWplh_hndUm1fNNcNO1ELU03fvM0JdOQCLcB/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>KA-52 Hokum on board "Admiral Kuznetsov" -- August 29, 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The aircraft carrier is expected to deploy with a mixed inventory of KA-27/KA-29 Helix and KA-52 Hokum helicopters, as well as SU-33 Flanker and MIG-29K Fulcrum fighters.<br />
<br />
Repairs of "Admiral Kuznetsov" began <a href="http://7fbtk.blogspot.com/2015/05/admiral-kuznetsov-taking-long-nap.html" target="_blank">last spring</a>, and it appeared they would continue until the end of this year; however, the repairs were completed earlier than scheduled. Following a number of underway combat drills and carrier flight operations, "Admiral Kuznetsov" returned to Rosta for final preparations before it transfers to its Severomorsk mooring position this week.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-25760619200051033012016-10-05T12:26:00.000+03:002016-10-05T12:26:07.191+03:00Are Kalibr Ships Transferring to the Baltic Fleet?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTzDBD5Iz2s/V_TFEoUFnoI/AAAAAAAAA-4/IxBoOKJ7llwGHqQssbkMF-SK28qzHimLACEw/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTzDBD5Iz2s/V_TFEoUFnoI/AAAAAAAAA-4/IxBoOKJ7llwGHqQssbkMF-SK28qzHimLACEw/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<i>"Zelenyy Dol" -- February 14, 2016</i></div>
<div>
<i>(credit: Yörük Işık)</i></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This morning, shipspotters <a href="https://twitter.com/alperboler" target="_blank">Alper Böler</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Saturn5_" target="_blank">Devrim Yaylali</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/YorukIsik" target="_blank">Yörük Işık</a> photographed Russian Navy patrol combatants "Serpukhov" and "Zelenyy Dol" as they headed south through the Turkish Straits. The two ships earlier returned to Sevastopol on September 17 following a 38-day deployment to the eastern Mediterranean Sea. During that deployment, both ships launched 3M-14 Kalibr land-attack cruise missiles into Syria.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
After a three-week break, "Serpukhov" and "Zelenyy Dol" are headed back to the Mediterranean Sea - possibly with a final destination in the Baltic Sea.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i6mYNHKRYHk/V_TGLZx3BLI/AAAAAAAAA_A/4Fc_KV3MnbcoQleTU8I8kV9k1gnBcciTwCLcB/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i6mYNHKRYHk/V_TGLZx3BLI/AAAAAAAAA_A/4Fc_KV3MnbcoQleTU8I8kV9k1gnBcciTwCLcB/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(credit: Main Intelligence Directorate - Ukrainian Ministry of Defense)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On <a href="http://gur-mou.gov.ua/content/osoblyvosti-rozvytku-obstanovky-na-tymchasovo-okupovanykh-terytoriiakh-ukrainy-16-09-2016.html" target="_blank">September 16</a>, the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense reported on its website that the two patrol combatants were scheduled to begin a transfer to the Baltic Fleet on September 24 using Russia's inland waterway system. Such a transfer would have required sufficient lead time to remove a portion of the ships' superstructures. With such a tight timeline (September 17-24), this option seemed unlikely. And the ships remained idle until they departed port yesterday.<br />
<br />
"Serpukhov" and "Zelenyy Dol" could temporarily increase the Russian Navy's presence in the eastern Mediterranean; however, the <a href="http://maltashipphotos.com/" target="_blank">Malta Ship & Actions Photos website</a> claims the two ships will call in Valletta, Malta, in mid-October. According to the website, the ships will be supported by salvage tug "SB-36", which has been deployed to the Mediterranean Sea since last month. It should be noted that Malta Ship & Actions Photos reported last month that "Serpukhov" and "Zelenyy Dol" would visit Valletta on September 29-October 2, which did not occur. As the website has a good record of reporting on future Valletta port calls, the discrepancy in the Russian ships' port call dates is likely related to a scheduling change.<br />
<br />
Having traveled that far west with a tug, it seems even more likely that "Serpukhov" and "Zelenyy Dol" will continue to the Baltic Sea. But the small patrol combatants will require several port calls (Ceuta? Lisbon?) and/or logistical support by a naval tanker.<br />
<br />
The Baltic Fleet would benefit greatly from the introduction of Kalibr-armed warships. While Kalibr-capable ships and submarines are tested in the Baltic Sea before being transferred to the Black Sea Fleet, the Baltic Fleet currently has no Kalibr-capable ships or submarines in its own permanent inventory.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-48354796094424892172016-08-17T02:51:00.000+03:002016-08-17T02:51:46.715+03:00Klavesin-2R-PM to be Tested in Black Sea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AsRCwL-7ALg/V7OmC8tJjeI/AAAAAAAAA-M/EsTLtCe2NN0XzqWqHSUDtVHcrUew6XTqwCLcB/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AsRCwL-7ALg/V7OmC8tJjeI/AAAAAAAAA-M/EsTLtCe2NN0XzqWqHSUDtVHcrUew6XTqwCLcB/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Klavesin-2R-PM autonomous unmanned undersea vehicle<br />[courtesy: TASS]</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://ckb-rubin.ru/glavnaja/" target="_blank">Rubin Central Design Bureau of Marine Technology</a> recently secured an insurance policy with <a href="https://www.sogaz.ru/" target="_blank">SOGAZ</a> (Gas Industry Insurance Company) to cover the loss of or damage to two Klavesin-2R-PM autonomous unmanned undersea vehicles, each worth RUB 300 million.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The first attempt to secure insurance began on February 10. Rubin announced it was accepting bids to insure the two vehicles during testing in St. Petersburg, in Crimea, and in the Black Sea, as well as for transportation between the locations. The insurance premiums (RUB 48 million) were unequally divided between the two vehicles: RUB 27 million for one (in 2016), RUB 21 million for the other (in 2017). Each vehicle being covered includes a load-bearing frame, propulsion system, containers with equipment and batteries, and other related components. The technical specifications provided for the Klavesin-2R-PM were:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>length: approximately 6,500 mm</li>
<li>diameter: approximately 1,000 mm</li>
<li>weight: approximately 3,700 kg</li>
<li>maximum range: approximately 50 km</li>
<li>diving depth: approximately 2,000 m (due to the depth in the Black Sea test range, the diving depth will be 500 m)</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Despite the fact that two companies bid on the contract (<a href="https://www.ingos.ru/" target="_blank">Ingosstrakh</a> and SOGAZ), the competitive process was unexplainably stopped on March 4.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A second attempt began March 23. In the version of the documents published for this round, the vehicle's technical specifications were moved from the main contract document to an annex, which was not published. On April 6, the contract selection committee announced that the competitive process was nullified as only a single company (SOGAZ) had bid on the contract.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The third and final attempt began on April 6 with no changes made to the contract documentation. On April 21, after reviewing bids from two companies (<a href="http://www.makc.ru/" target="_blank">MAKS</a> and SOGAZ), the contract selection committee chose SOGAZ; the contract was signed on May 4. A few weeks later, SOGAZ <a href="https://www.sogaz.ru/sogaz/pressroom/archive/print.php?new=798652&print=Y" target="_blank">released a statement</a> on its website confirming that it had won the contract.</div>
</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-65205479067863935992016-08-12T10:40:00.000+03:002016-08-12T10:40:08.037+03:00Simultaneous Exercises by Black Sea Fleet, Caspian Flotilla Kalibr Ships<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c7OIMYSxEoI/V617vvJ3jbI/AAAAAAAAA9o/DB19OqRLkmQ52srQ_vFvG2MxWA8UBWrlwCLcB/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c7OIMYSxEoI/V617vvJ3jbI/AAAAAAAAA9o/DB19OqRLkmQ52srQ_vFvG2MxWA8UBWrlwCLcB/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Patrol combatants "Zelenyy Dol" (left) and "Serpukhov" (right)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On <a href="http://ria.ru/defense_safety/20160809/1473912234.html" target="_blank">August 9</a>, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that three Kalibr-capable Caspian Flotilla combatants will take part in an exercise in the southwestern portion of the Caspian Sea on August 15-20. The frigates "Tatarstan" (not Kalibr-capable) and "Dagestan", along with the patrol combatants "Grad Sviyazhsk" and "Velikiy Ustyug" will conduct gunnery and missile drills during the exercise.<br />
<br />
On <a href="http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12092599@egNews" target="_blank">August 11</a>, defense officials announced that the Black Sea Fleet's two Kalibr-capable patrol combatants, "Serpukhov" and "Zelenyy Dol", had departed Sevastopol en route to the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Those two ships, together with other ships assigned to Russia's Standing Mediterranean Sea Task Group, are scheduled to begin a "graded tactical exercise" on August 15. As with the Caspian Sea exercise, this exercise will include gunnery and missile drills.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QXvzCHCrv88/V6180_YrrQI/AAAAAAAAA9w/z48MtPu0p6sbIE3BhdeJtaSkh2d8ew7DwCLcB/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QXvzCHCrv88/V6180_YrrQI/AAAAAAAAA9w/z48MtPu0p6sbIE3BhdeJtaSkh2d8ew7DwCLcB/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Flight bans for Russian Navy exercises -- August 15-20, 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Flight bans have been announced for the eastern Mediterranean Sea exercise:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>A0837/16 - RUSSIAN NAVY EXERCISE (ROCKET TEST FIRINGS) WILL TAKE PLACE IN AREA BOUNDED BY: 344400N0345800E, 351300N0345800E, 351300N0353300E, 344400N0353300E. SFC - FL660, 0500-1700, 15 AUG 05:00 2016 UNTIL 20 AUG 17:00 2016.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>A0838/16 - RUSSIAN NAVY EXERCISE (ROCKET TEST FIRINGS) WILL TAKE PLACE IN AREA BOUNDED BY: 351900N0300000E, 350500N0302500E, 350900N0304400E, 354300N0300000E. SFC - FL660, 0500-1700, 15 AUG 05:00 2016 UNTIL 20 AUG 17:00 2016.</i></blockquote>
These two exercises are likely linked to next month's scheduled "Kavkaz-2016" operational-strategic exercise.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-71350637746907895892016-07-23T16:22:00.000+03:002016-07-23T16:26:05.283+03:00Russian Pacific Fleet Launches Bastion CDCM<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aty0geqjpds/V5NuYff8FOI/AAAAAAAAA9I/PYhotyhydIk50G80wpPSWm9mOrJ4ADshQCLcB/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aty0geqjpds/V5NuYff8FOI/AAAAAAAAA9I/PYhotyhydIk50G80wpPSWm9mOrJ4ADshQCLcB/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bastion coastal defense cruise missile launch -- July 22, 2016<br />[credit: Russian Pacific Fleet press service]</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On July 22, the Eastern Military District press service <a href="http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12090673@egNews" target="_blank">announced</a> that a Pacific Fleet Coastal Troops unit had launched a Bastion (SSC-5 Stooge) coastal defense cruise missile. Although the press service did not mention when the launch occurred, the target wasn't in place until July 22, and metadata from pictures taken of the launch indicate the launch date was July 22.<br />
<br />
An area closure, two flight bans, and three flight route restrictions were announced for the missile launch activity:<br />
<br />
<i></i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>NAVAREA XIII 51/16<br />ZALIV PETRA VELIKOGO<br />CHARTS RUS 62071 60300<br />1. MISSILE EXERCISES FOR 11 HOURS FROM 2300 UTC 21 22 24 AND 25 JUL IN AREA BOUNDED BY 41-33-18N 132-22-48E 42-10-48N 131-42-48E 42-45-00N 131-15-00E COASTLINE 42-51-12N 131-25-00E 42-32-00N 132-10-12E 42-03-12N 133-02-06E<br />2. CANCEL THIS MESSAGE 261100 UTC JUL 16.</i><i><br /></i></blockquote>
<i></i>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>P6757/16 - 21 2300-22 0300, 22 0500-1000, 22 2300-23 0300, 23 0500-1000, 24 2300-25 0300, 25 0500-1000, 25 2300-26 0300, 26 0500-1000<br />TEMPO DANGER AREA ACT WI COORD: 422430N 1322400E-420312N 1330206E-413318N 1322248E-421048N 1314248E-421747N 1313715E-422430N 1322400E.<br />SFC - FL280, 21 JUL 23:00 2016 UNTIL 26 JUL 10:00 2016.</i><i><br /></i></blockquote>
<i></i>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>P6758/16 - 21 2300-22 0300, 22 0500-1000, 22 2300-23 0300, 23 0500-1000, 24 2300-25 0300, 25 0500-1000, 25 2300-26 0300, 26 0500-1000<br />ATS RTE SEGMENTS CLSD: B355 LUPAS - VATIS, B356 GALDI - KESAN, G705 BISUN - RIVAT.<br />SFC - FL280, 21 JUL 23:00 2016 UNTIL 26 JUL 10:00 2016.</i><i><br /></i></blockquote>
<i></i>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>P6759/16 - 21 2300-22 0300, 22 0500-1000, 22 2300-23 0300, 23 0500-1000, 24 2300-25 0300, 25 0500-1000, 25 2300-26 0300, 26 0500-1000<br />AIRSPACE CLSD WI COORD: 425112N1312500E-423200N1321012E-422430N1322400E-421747N1313715E-424500N1311500E-425112N1312500E.<br />SFC - FL080, 21 JUL 23:00 2016 UNTIL 26 JUL 10:00 2016.</i></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1reKI5usvPw/V5Nup2Lvj-I/AAAAAAAAA9M/Vh8kkNrnS1oA-J3U1CMfjn2LnimZFE0_ACLcB/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1reKI5usvPw/V5Nup2Lvj-I/AAAAAAAAA9M/Vh8kkNrnS1oA-J3U1CMfjn2LnimZFE0_ACLcB/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Area closure, flight bans, and flight route restrictions -- July 21-25, 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Although the Bastion has a range of 600+ km (324+ nm), the target was located a mere 53 km (29 nm) from the launch point. According to the press statement, the missile successfully impacted the target based on reports by observer ships and aircraft. The target was subsequently towed back to Bukhta Abrek for re-use in future missile launch exercises.<br />
<br />
The Ministry of Defense's Zvezda television station <a href="http://tvzvezda.ru/news/forces/content/201607221809-5mur.htm" target="_blank">broadcast video</a> of the launch on July 22.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-17372087968382058762016-07-05T11:00:00.000+03:002016-07-05T11:13:39.705+03:00Impending Pacific Fleet Exercise<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-crYWSbRA_HE/V3thQ8hOAiI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/sTl45grA56In9GFBuDcID63j9hbU3H6qgCLcB/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-crYWSbRA_HE/V3thQ8hOAiI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/sTl45grA56In9GFBuDcID63j9hbU3H6qgCLcB/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Akula I nuclear-powered submarine (possibly "Kuzbass") near La Perouse Strait -- June 20, 2016<br />(credit: Japanese Ministry of Defense)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All signs are pointing to a large-scale Russian Navy exercise taking place in the Sakhalin Island, southern Sea of Okhotsk, and Kuril Islands this week. At least four submarines, sixteen warships, and two auxiliaries were noted by Japanese P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft passing through the La Perouse and Tsushima Straits in mid-June, as described below:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 660px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 2759; mso-width-source: userset; width: 58pt;" width="78"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 20679; mso-width-source: userset; width: 436pt;" width="582"></col>
<tbody>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt; width: 58pt;" width="78"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jun 15</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; width: 436pt;" width="582"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Slava cruiser "Varyag" noted
heading east through La Perouse Strait</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jun 17</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kilo submarine noted heading east through La Perouse Strait</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jun 18</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kilo submarine noted heading east through La Perouse Strait</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jun 19</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Grisha frigate "Kholmsk" | Tarantul III patrol
combatants "R-18" + "R-298" noted heading east through La
Perouse Strait</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jun 20</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Akula I nuclear submarine (possibly "Kuzbass") |
Udaloy destroyer "Admiral Tributs" | Sovremennyy destroyer
"Bystryy" | Tarantul III
patrol combatants "R-14" + "R-29" | Nanuchka III patrol
combatants "Iney" + "Moroz" + "Razliv" | Grisha
frigate "Koreyets" | Chilikin replenishment oiler "Boris
Butoma" noted heading east through La Perouse Strait</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jun 21</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kilo submarine noted heading east through La Perouse Strait</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Udaloy destroyer "Admiral Panteleyev" | Alligator
landing ship "Nikolay Vilkov" | Ropucha landing ships "Admiral
Nevelskoy" + "Peresvet" | ocean-going tug "Aleksandr
Piskunov" noted heading south through Tsushima Strait</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></colgroup></table>
<br />
While there has been no official announcement of an exercise, social media sources indicate that the ships began departing the Vladivostok area on June 14 for an exercise. According to those sources, the ships will not return to port until mid-July.<br />
<br />
"Varyag" was not in Vladivostok when the ships began departing. It was returning from a Mediterranean Sea deployment that began in November of last year. Its last port call was Singapore in <a href="http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12086669@egNews" target="_blank">early June</a>.<br />
<br />
Also missing from the mix is a task group consisting of Udaloy destroyer "Admiral Vinogradov", Dubna oiler "Irkut", and Baklazhan rescue tug "Fotiy Krylov"; they were last noted visiting Myanmar in <a href="http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/3292520" target="_blank">mid-May</a>. Although the task group's current whereabouts are unknown, social media sources indicate "Admiral Vinogradov" will not return to Vladivostok until early August, which provides plenty of time to participate in this event.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dLcmC2Yd100/V3tiCIh_MtI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/xrpTDTU0hhwrRahmMT3bewB3tsC0tVJswCLcB/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dLcmC2Yd100/V3tiCIh_MtI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/xrpTDTU0hhwrRahmMT3bewB3tsC0tVJswCLcB/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Area closures (red), flight bans (yellow), and flight route closures (green) for missile activity -- July 5-9</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Over the past week, Russia announced a number of area closures, flight bans, and flight route closures:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>NAVAREA XIII 44/16 <br />NORTH PACIFIC <br />CHART RUS 61031 <br />1. MISSILE EXERCISES 05 TO 07 JUL 0000 TO 0300 AND 0400 TO 0800 IN AREA BOUNDED BY 44-13-30N 148-48-00E 44-45-00N 148-15-00E 45-26-00N 149-18-00E 45-40-00N </i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>149-58-00E 45-53-00N 150-06-00E 45-56-00N 150-11-00E 46-59-00N 152-35-00E 45-28-00N 153-41-00E 44-08-00N 153-23-00E <br />2. CANCEL THIS MESSAGE 070900 JUL 16</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>NAVAREA XIII 46/16 </i><br />
<i>SEA OF OKHOTSK </i><br />
<i>CHART RUS 61018 </i><br />
<i>1. MISSILE EXERCISES 072300 TO 080300 UTC JUL 08 JUL 0500 TO 0800 UTC 082300 TO 090300 UTC JUL 09 JUL 0500 TO 0800 UTC IN AREA BOUNDED BY 44-28-00N 145-16-00E 46-00-00N 145-16-00E 46-00-00N 147-24-00E 45-08-00N 147-24-00E 44-49-00N 147-09-36E COASTLINE 44-44-06N 147-07-54E 44-27-00N 146-34-00E COASTLINE 44-28-00N 146-04-30E </i><br />
<i>2. CANCEL THIS MESSAGE 090900 UTC JUL 16</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>P6342/16 - FLW ATS RTE SEGMENTS CLSD: B917 OSGEN - NELER, B919 ORSUK - LAVNI, B932 NETRI - ODERI,mG239 IKADA - SARET, G583 LATAK - BISIV, G810 SARET - ALODI. SFC - UNL, 07 2300-08 0300, 08 0500-0800, 08 2300-09 0300, 09 0500-0800, 07 JUL 23:00 2016 UNTIL 09 JUL 08:00 2016.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>P6343/16 - TEMPO DANGER AREA ACT WI COORD: 460000N 1451600E-460000N 1472400E-450800N 1472400E-444900N 1470930E-444600N 1470748E-442700N 1463600E-442800N 1460500E-442800N 1454300E-443900N 1451600E-460000N 1451600E. SFC - UNL, 07 2300-08 0300, 08 0500-0800, 08 2300-09 0300, 09 0500-0800, 07 JUL 23:00 2016 UNTIL 09 JUL 08:00 2016.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>P6365/16 - TEMPO DANGER AREA ACT WI COORD: 465900N 1523500E-464400N 1524500E-441500N 1484600E-444500N 1481500E-452600N 1491800E-454000N 1495800E-455300N 1500600E-455600N 1501100E-465900N 1523500E. SFC - UNL, 07 JUL 00:00 2016 UNTIL 07 JUL 08:00 2016.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>P6367/16 - TEMPO DANGER AREA ACT WI COORD: 465900N 1523500E-464400N 1524500E-441500N 1484600E-444500N 1481500E-452600N 1491800E-454000N 1495800E-455300N 1500600E-455600N 1501100E-465900N 1523500E. SFC - UNL, 0000-0300 0400-0800, 08 JUL 00:00 2016 UNTIL 08 JUL 08:00 2016.</i></blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SQVuhMlHrgw/V3tmlpujMNI/AAAAAAAAA8s/qQOWOqyw8wwEl_uVXQV7ya9dIYsgOGlTQCLcB/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SQVuhMlHrgw/V3tmlpujMNI/AAAAAAAAA8s/qQOWOqyw8wwEl_uVXQV7ya9dIYsgOGlTQCLcB/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Russian IL-38 May maritime patrol aircraft flights east of Japan -- June 27-28, 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Probably related to the movement of ships, on June 27-28, two Russian IL-38 May maritime patrol aircraft were noted operating east of Hokkaido and northern Honshu.<br />
<br /></div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-78697321945651167992016-06-25T23:53:00.000+03:002016-06-26T00:03:21.674+03:00"Staryy Oskol" Heading to the Black Sea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2L4QTc4qBw/V27tyEmOE8I/AAAAAAAAA7c/Pq1HhP7nfcAmX6yD9jCMEcGlrdKP4KmGQCLcB/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2L4QTc4qBw/V27tyEmOE8I/AAAAAAAAA7c/Pq1HhP7nfcAmX6yD9jCMEcGlrdKP4KmGQCLcB/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<i>"Professor Nikolay Muru" heading south through the Turkish Straits - March 4, 2016</i></div>
<div>
<i>[credit: </i><span class="gD" email="yorukisik@gmail.com" name="Yörük Işık"><i>Yörük Işık]</i></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On June 23, "Professor Nikolay Muru" possibly began escorting new Kilo-class submarine "Staryy Oskol" as it continues its transfer to the Black Sea.<br />
<br />
According to an <a href="http://militarynews.ru/story.asp?rid=1&nid=414793" target="_blank">anonymous source</a>, "Staryy Oskol" departed Polyarnyy on or before June 1 following state weapons testing in the Barents Sea. The submarine was being escorted near the Netherlands on <a href="https://twitter.com/EOTRMP/status/740096953921511425" target="_blank">June 7</a>. Soon after, the submarine, with its escort - rescue tug "Altay" - were spotted in the <a href="http://metro.co.uk/2016/06/09/pictured-moment-russian-sub-emerges-in-english-channel-ahead-of-euro-2016-match-5933559" target="_blank">English Channel</a>.<br />
<br />
The trail went silent until <a href="http://www.interfax.ru/world/514712" target="_blank">Interfax</a> and <a href="http://ria.ru/defense_safety/20160622/1449616110.html" target="_blank">RIA Novosti</a>, again citing anonymous sources, revealed on June 22 that "Staryy Oskol" was located in the central Mediterranean Sea. According to the <a href="http://ria.ru/defense_safety/20160622/1449616110.html" target="_blank">RIA Novosti</a> source, the submarine would transit the Turkish Straits in late June and arrive in an unspecified Russian port in early July.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bAGIV-jU2CU/V27uG0sUm2I/AAAAAAAAA7k/SBIQZkKOLBYmndgbDpZjiuwfb-1qTjmVgCLcB/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bAGIV-jU2CU/V27uG0sUm2I/AAAAAAAAA7k/SBIQZkKOLBYmndgbDpZjiuwfb-1qTjmVgCLcB/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>AIS reporting for "Professor Nikolay Muru" - June 22-25, 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
AIS reporting for Russian Navy rescue tug "Professor Nikolay Muru", which has been supporting Russian Navy ships operating in the eastern Mediterranean Sea since March, departed Tartus, Syria, on June 17. The tug made a direct 10- to 11-knot transit to the vicinity of Malta, where it was photographed on <a href="https://twitter.com/Shipguru/status/746374563563470849" target="_blank">June 23</a>. At approximately 11:00pm GMT on June 23, the tug began transiting east and has since maintained an average speed of 7.5 knots. The slower speed suggests the tug is either escorting a slow-moving vessel or towing something.<br />
<br />
Ship spotters should provide the answer in the coming days.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-81518447258927481702016-06-08T10:42:00.000+03:002016-06-08T13:06:46.519+03:00Fire on "Georgiy Kurbatov"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XUyBfdcZg0I/V1fJqhLQaDI/AAAAAAAAA6M/6PXBvdUypfk2B7Z0hp7MJr55Sz2abEixwCLcB/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XUyBfdcZg0I/V1fJqhLQaDI/AAAAAAAAA6M/6PXBvdUypfk2B7Z0hp7MJr55Sz2abEixwCLcB/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fire onboard "Georgiy Kurbatov" - June 7, 2016<br />[credit: St. Petersburg Department of Emergency Affairs]</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A fire broke that out <a href="http://78.mchs.gov.ru/operationalpage/operational/item/3743052/" target="_blank">on Tuesday</a> at the Sredne-Neskiy Shipyard damaged "Georgiy Kurbatov", a new mine countermeasures ship being built for the Russian Navy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gz9_R5Ju4QA/V1fJ3IvdxTI/AAAAAAAAA6U/wPAXkTUgCxUDQwN_fKXK5xKdEWUHgpG_QCLcB/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gz9_R5Ju4QA/V1fJ3IvdxTI/AAAAAAAAA6U/wPAXkTUgCxUDQwN_fKXK5xKdEWUHgpG_QCLcB/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<i>Fire at Sredne-Nevskiy Shipyard -- June 7, 2016</i></div>
<div>
<i>[credit: http://vk.com/spb_today]</i></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At 7:30pm on June 7, emergency officials received their initial report about a fire at the shipyard in Pontonnyy, located a few miles east of St. Petersburg. Within five minutes, the first fire engine arrived at the scene. By 8:10pm, the severity of the fire had been raised to Category 3. The fire was localized by 10:20pm, and fully extinguished at 2:54am on June 8.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cNZo8uEH7U4/V1fKFut4EXI/AAAAAAAAA6c/DV1i5pFprGc5KZpoozRSbdojhVQ0-nYeACLcB/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cNZo8uEH7U4/V1fKFut4EXI/AAAAAAAAA6c/DV1i5pFprGc5KZpoozRSbdojhVQ0-nYeACLcB/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<i>Fire at Sredne-Nevskiy Shipyard -- June 7, 2016</i></div>
<div>
<i>[credit: TASS]</i></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Despite the damage to the minesweeper, shipyard press secretary Aleksandr Malakhov <a href="http://tass.ru/proisshestviya/3346937" target="_blank">told reporters</a> that the ship will still be delivered to the Russian MOD on time - fall 2017. Malakhov said this was possible as no major equipment or systems had been installed on the ship prior to the fire. According to Maksim Meyksin, chairman of the St. Petersburg Committee on Industry, the minesweeper's launch, scheduled for July 2016, will be postponed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i69XmrR3QrQ/V1fLqkVqFgI/AAAAAAAAA64/S1_-bCko5PIiEAG6Lw2KVX8OKjB05GAkgCLcB/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i69XmrR3QrQ/V1fLqkVqFgI/AAAAAAAAA64/S1_-bCko5PIiEAG6Lw2KVX8OKjB05GAkgCLcB/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<i>"Aleksandr Obukhov" launched at Sredne-Nevskiy Shipyard -- September 22, 2011</i></div>
<div>
<i>[credit: TASS]</i></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
"Georgiy Kurbatov" is the first of three Project 12700/Aleksandrit mine countermeasures ships being built under a contract (1418187404941020105004105/Z/1/1/0231/GK-14-DGOZ) signed with the Russian MOD in 2014. However, the lead ship of the class, "Aleksandr Obukhov" (built under contract 253/05/8/K/0011-07, later replaced by 1415187407072010105000101/N/1/1/0210/GK-14-DGOZ) has already been launched and began sea trials in the Baltic Sea in April 2016. The minesweeper conducted at least four rounds of at-sea tests between April 29 and May 27; it departed Kronshtadt on June 7 for another round of sea trials. Once commissioned, "Aleksandr Obukhov" will transfer to the Northern Fleet; "Georgiy Kurbatov" will transfer to the Black Sea Fleet.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-65677309531100821832016-05-07T02:33:00.000+03:002016-05-07T02:33:33.664+03:00Indian Submarine Heading to Russia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mDpDa-chyLo/Vy0nYlS8U4I/AAAAAAAAA48/lAE0OqsXMxkT8ennzF4xZ8YVNK0gRDt4wCLcB/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mDpDa-chyLo/Vy0nYlS8U4I/AAAAAAAAA48/lAE0OqsXMxkT8ennzF4xZ8YVNK0gRDt4wCLcB/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<i>"Rolldock Star" semi-submersible ship -- February 2, 2014</i></div>
<div>
<i>(credit: Rolldock)</i></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/3247967" target="_blank">Last month</a>, an Indian delegation visited Zvezdochka Shipyard in Severodvinsk, Russia. A shipyard spokesman told reporters that the Indian Navy's Kilo-class submarine "INS Sindhukesari" would arrive in Severodvinsk in June 2016. Considering it would take over a month to complete a transfer from India to Severodvinsk, the transfer would have to start in May.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kqkUnwS_K0I/Vy0nsllgv8I/AAAAAAAAA5A/qJCFhNfHcSEgA1GNGe6Z_UUP5CTTyCumQCLcB/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kqkUnwS_K0I/Vy0nsllgv8I/AAAAAAAAA5A/qJCFhNfHcSEgA1GNGe6Z_UUP5CTTyCumQCLcB/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Track of "Rolldock Star" is at traveled between Singapore and India -- April 19-28, 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are only a few companies that both possess heavy-lift vessels and have a history of supporting submarine transfers to/from Russia. The Dutch firm <a href="http://www.roll-group.com/rolldock-heavy-marine-transportation.html" target="_blank">Rolldock</a>, a subsidiary of Roll Group, is one of them. By regularly tracking the company's fleet of semi-submersible ships, it was easy to spot possible candidates.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rIktJOOF9uE/Vy0n4S3OByI/AAAAAAAAA5E/cw7TNYu6GskcGmAK0nOJtLoRleNJ6KIXQCLcB/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rIktJOOF9uE/Vy0n4S3OByI/AAAAAAAAA5E/cw7TNYu6GskcGmAK0nOJtLoRleNJ6KIXQCLcB/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Rolldock Star" moves to deep-water area -- May 4, 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
"Rolldock Star" departed Singapore on April 19 and arrived in Mumbai (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jawaharlal_Nehru_Port" target="_blank">Jawaharlal Nehru Port</a>) on April 28. On May 4, the ship departed port and proceeded to an area about one-half nautical mile to the north. Over the next two days, the vessel remained in the deep-water area, where it likely onloaded its cargo. "Rolldock Star" departed the area during the evening hours of May 6 with a reported destination of Severodvinsk (estimated arrival date: June 12).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1rasYDzsYg/Vy0oEdLEIgI/AAAAAAAAA5M/nYRQuIKgBJc05Bh59k4ec5noigBHJf_uACLcB/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1rasYDzsYg/Vy0oEdLEIgI/AAAAAAAAA5M/nYRQuIKgBJc05Bh59k4ec5noigBHJf_uACLcB/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Track of "Rolldock Star" as it departs Mumbai -- May 6, 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Given the earlier statement of the submarine's arrival in Severodvinsk in June and the reported destination of "Rolldock Star", it's pretty clear that the Dutch semi-submersible ship is currently ferrying "INS Sindhukesari" to Russia.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0yHGjAZ7Ke0/Vy0o0EC3LMI/AAAAAAAAA5c/PMk_xdMD9LITBavIhAVmXSdQxZBH4J8oQCLcB/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0yHGjAZ7Ke0/Vy0o0EC3LMI/AAAAAAAAA5c/PMk_xdMD9LITBavIhAVmXSdQxZBH4J8oQCLcB/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Destination: Severodvinsk!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-90098584890168248492016-04-30T15:08:00.001+03:002016-04-30T15:13:24.738+03:00"Severodvinsk" Launches First Missile as Operational Submarine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHpyrMb0XJc/VySeiALuPTI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/-ubx2L-PI6MD-Re_UQYIQX6EeKTMFibXACLcB/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHpyrMb0XJc/VySeiALuPTI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/-ubx2L-PI6MD-Re_UQYIQX6EeKTMFibXACLcB/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Severodvinsk" launching land-attack cruise missile from Barents Sea -- April 29, 2016<br />(credit: RF Ministry of Defense)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Russian Navy's newest nuclear-powered fast attack submarine has launched its first long-range land-attack cruise missile since becoming a fully operational unit in the Northern Fleet earlier this year.<br />
<br />
The <span id="goog_1642054040"></span><a href="http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12084257@egNews">first report<span id="goog_1642054041"></span></a> of the missile launch was published by the RF Ministry of Defense at 3:00am (Moscow time) on April 30, indicating the missile launch actually occurred earlier this week. The MOD <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUXO4RShyQo">later released</a> a video purportedly of the missile launch, which occurred from an announced area closure in the Barents Sea. As the area closure did not go into effect until April 29, a day before the missile launch announcement, the missile launch likely occurred on April 29.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>ПРИП МУРМАНСК 153/16 КАРТА 10100 БАРЕНЦЕВО МОРЕ И ЧЁШСКАЯ ГУБА<br />1. СТРЕЛЬБЫ РАКЕТНЫЕ 29 ПО 30 АПР И 04 ПО 06 МАЙ 0700 ДО 1500 ПЛАВАНИЕ ЗАПРЕЩЕНО ТЕРВОДАХ ОПАСНО ИХ ПРЕДЕЛАМИ РАЙОНАХ<br />А. 69-51.1С 033-54.0В, 69-43.7С 037-53.9В, 69-17.9С 042-59.4В, 68-50.8С 045-00.0В, 68-30.0С 045-40.5В, ДАЛЕЕ ПО БЕРЕГОВОЙ ЛИНИИ ДО 68-39.8С 043-22.0В, 68-53.6С 042-31.3В, 69-17.9С 037-53.9В, 69-30.0С 033-51.6В<br />Б. 67-45.5С 045-40.0В, 67-18.1С 045-00.5В, ДАЛЕЕ ПО БЕРЕГОВОЙ ЛИНИИ ДО 67-45.5С 045-40.0В<br />2. ОТМ ЭТОТ НР 061600 МАЙ=<br />251200 МСК ГС-</i></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XxShxYieiTs/VySfPgBKIsI/AAAAAAAAA4g/fWIoGXeDQ5Mj7wPFqizlijgsfjCvlzamgCLcB/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XxShxYieiTs/VySfPgBKIsI/AAAAAAAAA4g/fWIoGXeDQ5Mj7wPFqizlijgsfjCvlzamgCLcB/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Missile launch area closure in Barents Sea -- April 29-30 & May 4-6, 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12082121@egNews [3] http://rusnovosti.ru/posts/404767">Earlier this month</a>, "Severodvinsk" launched four torpedoes against a group of surface ships that were simulating an enemy amphibious landing group.<br />
<br />
The submarine's recent activities are in line with statements made earlier this year that "Severodvinsk" is a fully operational submarine. <a href="http://rusnovosti.ru/posts/404767">In January</a>, a naval official stated that the submarine was no longer undergoing operational evaluation. This was reiterated by Navy Deputy Commander-in-Chief <a href="http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/2751985">Vice Admiral Aleksandr Fedotenkov</a> and Northern Fleet press service chief <a href="ttp://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/2753502">Captain 1st Rank Vadim Serga</a> in mid-March. In his statement, Serga added that "Severodvinsk" was preparing to begin at-sea training to become a fully combat-certified fleet unit.<br />
<br />
This month's torpedo firings and missile launch strongly suggest that is exactly what "Severodvinsk" is doing.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-90061213099817571612016-04-24T15:24:00.003+03:002016-04-24T22:35:24.668+03:00Follow-Up 2: Drafting Commercial Ships into the Russian Navy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cRg25FUrIrQ/VxyxxM4ciWI/AAAAAAAAA34/ASsDY4Rb7GAeLun8zVegjGg3PwPcJzCZgCLcB/s1600/Kazan-60_20160309_1_Turkish%2BStraits_Yorik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cRg25FUrIrQ/VxyxxM4ciWI/AAAAAAAAA34/ASsDY4Rb7GAeLun8zVegjGg3PwPcJzCZgCLcB/s640/Kazan-60_20160309_1_Turkish%2BStraits_Yorik.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<i>"Kazan-60" heading southbound through Turkish Straits - March 9, 2016</i></div>
<div>
<i>(credit: Yörük Işık)</i></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The current status of known transport vessels ferrying between Russia and Syria:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>"Dvinitsa-50" -- operational</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">"Kazan-60"</span> -- non-operational; to undergo repairs - possibly until this fall - following a machinery room fire in late March</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">"Kyzyl-60"</span> -- non-operational</li>
<li>"Vologda-50" -- operational</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">"Aleksandr Tkachenko"</span> -- non-operational; after conducting roundtrip missions in February and March, vessel pulled into Feodosiya in mid-March where it probably remains today</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">"Yauza"</span> -- <a href="http://7fbtk.blogspot.com/2016/04/yauza-probably-completes-syrian-express.html" target="_blank">returning to Murmansk</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChlkMOyFx3E/Vxy3MeV3bKI/AAAAAAAAA4I/8foj93abInEwjxRW_42wW7ia09G3mdPMgCLcB/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChlkMOyFx3E/Vxy3MeV3bKI/AAAAAAAAA4I/8foj93abInEwjxRW_42wW7ia09G3mdPMgCLcB/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Track of "Yauza" as it heads back to Murmansk (March 30-April 23, 2016)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Previous reporting:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://7fbtk.blogspot.com/2015/10/drafting-commercial-ships-into-russian.html">http://7fbtk.blogspot.com/2015/10/drafting-commercial-ships-into-russian.html</a><br />
<a href="http://7fbtk.blogspot.com/2016/01/follow-up-drafting-commercial-ships.html">http://7fbtk.blogspot.com/2016/01/follow-up-drafting-commercial-ships.html</a> </div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-24144036958973514232016-04-03T10:41:00.000+03:002016-04-24T14:29:53.731+03:00"Yauza" Probably Completes Syrian Express Support<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cODZL8FdTzQ/VwDGuYLIT-I/AAAAAAAAA3c/S2eF1XTr3RI9tLL3dNQnBprCrIooJ4iFQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cODZL8FdTzQ/VwDGuYLIT-I/AAAAAAAAA3c/S2eF1XTr3RI9tLL3dNQnBprCrIooJ4iFQ/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>AIS tracking of "Yauza" heading west from Tartus (March 31-April 3, 2016)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After six months of ferrying materiel and personnel between Russia and Syria, the Northern Fleet's transport vessel "Yauza" appears to be heading home. "Yauza" departed Tartus, Syria, on March 30 and has continued a westerly transit through today. According to AIS data, the vessel may call in Valletta, Malta, before continuing to its homeport of Murmansk.<br />
<br />
"Yauza" departed Severomorsk on <a href="http://7fbtk.blogspot.com/2015/09/yauza-heading-to-black-sea.html" target="_blank">September 10, 2015</a>, and arrived in Novorossiysk on October 1. During its half-year deployment to the Black Sea, the naval transport vessel completed six trips between Novorossiysk and Tartus.<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 407px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 4551; mso-width-source: userset; width: 96pt;" width="128"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 9927; mso-width-source: userset; width: 209pt;" width="279"></col>
<tbody>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt; width: 96pt;" width="128"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><u>Dates</u></span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; width: 209pt;" width="279"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><u>Route</u></span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Oct 14-Oct 19</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Novorossiysk to Tartus</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Oct 25-Nov 2</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tartus to Novorossiysk</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Nov 17-Nov 22</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Novorossiysk to Tartus</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Nov 26-Dec 2</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tartus to Novorossiysk</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jan 15-Jan 21</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Novorossiysk to Tartus</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jan 26-Jan 31</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tartus to Sevastopol</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Feb 1-Feb 2</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sevastopol to Novorossiysk</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Feb 17-Feb 24</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Novorossiysk to Tartus</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Feb 28-Mar 3</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tartus to Sevastopol</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mar 4-Mar 5</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sevastopol to Novorossiysk</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mar 18-Mar 23</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Novorossiysk to Tartus</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mar 30-present</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tartus to Malta</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></colgroup></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n9-SZMk7Fqc/VwDHHjrCjqI/AAAAAAAAA3g/lm96UEXSW6Mg-3djBP3BROs3Jix19S-oQ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n9-SZMk7Fqc/VwDHHjrCjqI/AAAAAAAAA3g/lm96UEXSW6Mg-3djBP3BROs3Jix19S-oQ/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Yauza" in Novorossiysk (March 14, 2016)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
With the departure of "Yauza" and the disappearance of the commercial transport "Aleksandr Tkachenko" (last noted near Feodosiya on March 13), it appears the "Syrian Express" currently is relying exclusively on Russian Navy landing ships and a few formerly commercial ships to ferry cargo between Russia and Syria.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-46304071387238907842016-04-02T14:23:00.001+03:002016-04-02T14:23:36.010+03:00Russian Navy Activity Summary, February 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dHG28xMHX1U/Vv-puCPhuKI/AAAAAAAAA3I/JzJh7FNrwgQ_vVpQXO3xG9VSB1qIyG3yw/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dHG28xMHX1U/Vv-puCPhuKI/AAAAAAAAA3I/JzJh7FNrwgQ_vVpQXO3xG9VSB1qIyG3yw/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Landing ship "Ivan Gren" undergoing initial deperm - February 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 660px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 2759; mso-width-source: userset; width: 58pt;" width="78"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 20679; mso-width-source: userset; width: 436pt;" width="582"></col>
<tbody>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt; width: 58pt;" width="78"><span style="font-family: calibri;"><u>Date</u></span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; width: 436pt;" width="582"><span style="font-family: calibri;"><u>Event</u></span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Feb 2</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Submarine “Vladikavkaz” returned to Polyarnyy after
"long-distance" mission</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Feb 2</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">New deep-submergence submarine rescue vehicle
"AS-40" temporarily embarked on submarine rescue ship
"Alagez"; will transfer to "Igor Belousov" after it transfers to Pacific Fleet</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Feb 4</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">New-construction landing ship “Ivan Gren” commenced initial deperming
near Yantar Baltic Shipyard</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Feb 6</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Frigate "Admiral Essen" began first phase of state
acceptance testing</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Feb 8</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Surprise combat readiness inspection began in Southern
Military District (augmented by elements of the Central Military District);
inspection ended on Feb 12</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Feb 10</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Frigate "Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Gorshkov"
completed 15-day dock repair period at Shipyard 35 in Murmansk</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Feb 11</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Frigate "Admiral Grigorovich" returned to Yantar
Baltic Shipyard for spruce work before scheduled commissioning ceremony on March 11</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Feb 13</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Kalibr-armed patrol combatant "Zelenyy Dol" and
minesweeper "Kovrovets" departed Sevastopol en route to
the Mediterranean Sea; "Zelenyy Dol" arrived in Tartus, Syria, on Feb
17</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Feb 18</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Third Project 22160 patrol ship "Pavel Derzhavin"
laid down at Gorkiy Zelenodolsk Shipyard</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Feb 19</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Project 19910 hydrographic survey vessel “Admiral Rogotskiy”
laid down at October Revolution Shipyard (Blagoveshchensk)</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Feb 21</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Intelligence collection ship "Priazovye" noted
heading southbound through Turkish Straits</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Feb 24</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Flight ban and route closures went into effect for
"Russian Navy exercises" in the eastern Mediterranean Sea; valid
through Feb 29</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Feb 24</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Oceanographic research vessel "Admiral Vladimirskiy"
completed Antarctica survey and began transit to Cape Town, South Africa</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Feb 29</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Floating workshop "PM-138" joined Russian Navy task
group in the Mediterranean Sea; to relieve "PM-56"</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></colgroup></table>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-36396615223876013292016-03-17T05:23:00.000+03:002016-03-17T05:23:18.544+03:00XLT: New GUGI Oceanographic Research Vessel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5TP3A5rYZf8/VuoUKazgXGI/AAAAAAAAA20/yJq56abMjpYU6azvbpitZkOSEhTvXvfPg/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5TP3A5rYZf8/VuoUKazgXGI/AAAAAAAAA20/yJq56abMjpYU6azvbpitZkOSEhTvXvfPg/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Project 02670 oceanographic research vessel "Yevgeniy Gorigledzhan"</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>[Translation of Yantar Baltic Shipyard <a href="http://shipyard-yantar.ru/english-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B5-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B6%D0%B0%D1%82-%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE/" target="_blank">press release</a>]</i><br />
<br />
<b>RESEARCH VESSEL "YEVGENIY GORIGLEDZHAN" TO BE LAID DOWN AT SHIPYARD</b><br />
March 16, 2016<br />
<br />
At 12:00 on March 19, a keel-laying ceremony for Project 02670 oceanographic research vessel (OIS) "Yevgeniy Gorigledzhan" will take place at Yantar Shipyard.<br />
<br />
Expected to attend the ceremony are representatives of regional authorities, Russian Federation Ministry of Defense's Main Directorate for Deep Sea Research, Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau, and relatives of Yevgeniy Gorigledzhan.<br />
<br />
OIS "Yevgeniy Gorigledzhan" will be built by repairing and converting the "MB-305" rescue tug (Szczecin Shipyard, 1983). Yantar Shipyard signed a corresponding contract with the RF Ministry of Defense in mid-February of this year. The vessel, intended for the Russian Federation Ministry of Defense's Main Directorate for Deep Sea Research, will be delivered to the customer in 2017.<br />
<br />
Project 02670 was developed by Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau. The vessel is designed for conducting undersea technical operations, ecological monitoring of the marine environment, oceanographic mapping of the seabed, and rendering assistance to search and rescue forces. The vessel will carry undersea and rescue vehicles. The vessel will displace 4,000 tons, have a length of 81 meters and a beam of 16 meters, an endurance of 30 days, a crew of 32 and up to 25 mission personnel.<br />
<br />
Gorigledzhan Yevgeniy Alekseyevich (March 19, 1934 - September 26, 2014) was a Soviet and Russian design engineer, general designer of special-purpose nuclear-powered submarines at Rubin Central Design Bureau of Marine Technology, RF State Prize recipient, and Shipbuilder Emeritus.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-23262782711041490072016-02-19T14:02:00.001+03:002016-02-19T18:52:10.136+03:00Follow-Up: Kalibr Missile Shooter Heading to Mediterranean Sea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g5PtwCT1SaA/VsbzmbfxJRI/AAAAAAAAA2M/2Q34nREsG7Y/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g5PtwCT1SaA/VsbzmbfxJRI/AAAAAAAAA2M/2Q34nREsG7Y/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Flight ban and flight route closures for "Russian Navy exercise" -- February 24-29, 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Two NOTAM warnings have been issued for Russian Navy "rocket test firings" that may occur in the eastern Mediterranean Sea next week:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>A0126/16 -<br />RUSSIAN NAVY EXERCISE (ROCKET TEST FIRINGS) WILL TAKE PLACE IN AREA:<br />344400N0345800E<br />351300N0345800E<br />351300N0353300E<br />344400N0353300E<br />THE AREA INCLUDES BUFFER ZONE. SFC - FL660, 0500-1500, 24 FEB 05:00 2016 UNTIL 29 FEB 15:00 2016. CREATED: 18 FEB 13:45 2016</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>A0127/16 - DUE TO RUSSIAN NAVY EXERCISE AS REFFERRED IN NOTAM A0126/16 THE FOLLOWING AIRWAYS WILL BE CLOSED:<br />1. W/UW17 (BALMAS-NIKAS)<br />2. R/UR78, M/UM978 (ALSUS-NIKAS)<br />SFC-FL660. 0500-1500, 24 FEB 05:00 2016 UNTIL 29 FEB 15:00 2016. CREATED: 18 FEB 13:55 2016</i></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
The flight ban and flight route closures are identical to those announced for "Russian Navy exercises" in the past.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XY0o1QhQ6FI/Vsb0fpcGMCI/AAAAAAAAA2U/OYszGg7P-2o/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XY0o1QhQ6FI/Vsb0fpcGMCI/AAAAAAAAA2U/OYszGg7P-2o/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Zelenyy Dol" transiting the Turkish Straits -- February 14, 2016<br />(credit: Yörük Işık)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Three Russian Navy combatants are currently operating in the eastern Mediterranean: the missile cruiser "Varyag", the destroyer "Vitse-Admiral Kulakov", and the <a href="http://7fbtk.blogspot.com/2016/02/kalibr-missile-shooter-heading-to.html" target="_blank">missile ship "Zelenyy Dol"</a>. The latter arrived in Tartus, Syria, on <a href="http://ria.ru/defense_safety/20160218/1376581462.html" target="_blank">February 17</a>. While there is growing suspicion that "Zelenyy Dol" may launch land-attack cruise missiles into Syria during its current deployment, different flight bans and route closures were used when Kilo-class submarine "Rostov-na-Donu" launched four land-attack cruise missiles into Syria in December 2015.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-56078285011372777272016-02-13T23:21:00.003+03:002016-02-13T23:21:55.365+03:00Kalibr Missile Shooter Heading to Mediterranean Sea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmO0kfehbDg/Vr-N6Fr6JbI/AAAAAAAAA1s/EcRISSoWwYw/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmO0kfehbDg/Vr-N6Fr6JbI/AAAAAAAAA1s/EcRISSoWwYw/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Zelenyy Dol" and "Kovrovets" returning to Sevastopol -- February 12, 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"Zelenyy Dol", a patrol ship capable of firing land-attack and anti-ship cruise missiles, and sea-going minesweeper "Kovrovets" <a href="http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12078253@egNews" target="_blank">departed Sevastopol today</a> to join the Russian Navy's Mediterranean Sea Standing Task Group. This marks the first deployment of the patrol ship to the Mediterranean Sea since it joined the Russian Navy in December 2015. Is this simply a "rotation of forces", as the Southern Military District's press release indicates, or will "Zelenyy Dol" launch missiles into Syria?<br />
<br />
"Zelenyy Dol" and its sister ship "Serpukhov" arrived in the Black Sea in late July 2015 for sea trials, were handed over to the Ministry of Defense in November, and were commissioned in December. At no time during the sea trials did defense officials announce that "Zelenyy Dol" or "Serpukhov" had fired either <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3M-54_Klub" target="_blank">the SS-N-27 anti-ship cruise missile or the SS-N-30 land-attack cruise missile</a>. Thus, both ships joined the Russian Navy on a provisional basis. The Syrian crisis now affords Moscow the opportunity to test fire the SS-N-30 from "Zelenyy Dol" and possibly "Serpukhov" in the near future.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h73DXNhSo_c/Vr-OREan2uI/AAAAAAAAA1w/38cjYkUynnA/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h73DXNhSo_c/Vr-OREan2uI/AAAAAAAAA1w/38cjYkUynnA/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Admiral Aleksandr Vitko on board "Zelenyy Dol" -- January 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Both ships conducted at-sea combat training in <a href="http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12074362@egNews" target="_blank">January</a>; Black Sea Fleet Commander Admiral Aleksandr Vitko was on "Zelenyy Dol" to observe and grade that crew's performance. And both ships participated in this past week's <a href="http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12078190@egNews" target="_blank">Southern Military District surprise combat readiness inspection</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--OU7B_n5Axk/Vr-Ogha8FBI/AAAAAAAAA10/sCrOkDMXCQQ/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--OU7B_n5Axk/Vr-Ogha8FBI/AAAAAAAAA10/sCrOkDMXCQQ/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Area closure for Russian Navy exercise -- February 8-11, 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
An area closure and flight bans for a "Russian Navy exercise" in the eastern Mediterranean Sea were in effect on February 8-11. As of today, there are no announced area closures or flight bans that would indicate if or when "Zelenyy Dol" will launch missiles into Syria; however, those could be announced at anytime.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-33766808109088524512016-02-07T18:10:00.000+03:002016-02-07T18:10:05.577+03:00Russian Navy Activity Summary, January 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bFp1TnvgCzU/VrdcKWiJgbI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/zdP-oac75Go/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bFp1TnvgCzU/VrdcKWiJgbI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/zdP-oac75Go/s640/1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>DSRV "AS-40" (right) + DSRV "AS-28" (left) on board "Alagez" submarine rescue ship -- February 2, 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 660px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 2759; mso-width-source: userset; width: 58pt;" width="78"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 20679; mso-width-source: userset; width: 436pt;" width="582"></col>
<tbody>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt; width: 58pt;" width="78"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><u>Date</u></span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; width: 436pt;" width="582"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><u>Event</u></span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jan 2</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Research vessel "Admiral Vladimirskiy” arrived in Cape
Town, South Africa; departed on Jan 4</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jan 3</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cruiser “Varyag” entered Mediterranean Sea via Suez Canal; to
relieve “Moskva”</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jan 6</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Destroyer “Bystryy” arrived in Da Nang, Vietnam; departed Jan
9</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Project 18271/Bester-1 deep-submergence submarine rescue
vehicle “AS-40” recently arrived in Pacific Fleet; to be temporarily embarked
on submarine rescue ship “Alagez” until “Igor Belousov” transfers to Pacific
Fleet</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Frigate “Admiral Grigorovich” returned to Baltiysk following
28-day deployment to Northern Fleet to conduct weapons testing</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jan 9</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cruiser “Moskva” returned to Sevastopol following 108-day
deployment to Mediterranean Sea</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jan 10</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ocean-going tug “MB-97” departed Kronshtadt; subsequently
arrived in Baltiysk on Jan 12 for permanent basing; to be commissioned in Feb
2016</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jan 12</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Crew of new-construction frigate “Admiral Makarov” sent to St.
Petersburg to undergo specialized crew training</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jan 13</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Hull numbers on several Black Sea Fleet combatants changed as
early as Jan 13 – specifically, the middle digit was changed. Over the course
of several days, the following changes were noted (old > new): cruiser
“Kerch” (713 > 753), frigate “Ladnyy” (801 > 861), frigate “Pytlivyy”
(808 > 868), destroyer “Smetlivyy” (810 > 870); no other hull number changes noted in the Black Sea Fleet or any other fleet area</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jan 14</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Northern Fleet’s Arctic Oceanographic Expedition recently
stood up; to perform systematic research of the water areas of the Arctic Sea
and territories of Russian arctic islands; successor to Northern Hydrographic
Expedition (1924-2011)</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jan 17</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Destroyer “Bystryy” arrived in Shanghai, China; departed Jan
21</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jan 18</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Research vessel “Admiral Vladimirskiy” reached Lazarev Sea and
began its Antarctic survey work</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Crews of new-construction submarines “Kolpino” and “Velikiy
Novgorod” sent to Obninsk to undergo specialized crew training</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jan 23</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Landing ship “Korolev” returned to Baltiysk following 249-day
deployment to Mediterranean Sea</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jan 25</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Fire broke out on “PD-41” floating dry dock at Shipyard 30 in
Dunay; no reporting on any damage to ships that were inside the dock at the
time</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black; height: 14.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jan 26</span></td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Destroyer “Bystryy” returned to Vladivostok following 85-day
deployment<u></u></span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></colgroup></table>
<br /></div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-55793830800145901262016-02-07T17:20:00.003+03:002016-02-07T17:20:52.784+03:00Russian Navy Exercise in Eastern Mediterranean Sea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MKfVHeviEyk/VrdSX8YCZoI/AAAAAAAAA1E/LKS5m8qadYE/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MKfVHeviEyk/VrdSX8YCZoI/AAAAAAAAA1E/LKS5m8qadYE/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Flight ban (yellow) and flight route restrictions (red) for Russian Navy combat drills -- January 8-11, 2016</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In late January, flight bans and route restrictions were announced for a Russian Navy exercise:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>A0037/16 - RUSSIAN NAVY EXERCISE (ROCKET TEST FIRINGS) WILL TAKE PLACE IN AREA BOUNDED BY:<br />344400N0345800E<br />351300N0345800E<br />351300N0353300E<br />344400N0353300E<br />THE AREA INCLUDES BUFFER ZONE. SFC - FL660, 0500-1500, 08 FEB 05:00 2016 UNTIL 11 FEB 15:00 2016.</i></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>A0039/16 - DUE TO RUSSIAN NAVY EXERCISE AS REFERED IN NOTAM A0037/16 THE FOLLOWING AIRWAYS WILL BE CLOSED:<br />W/UW17 (BALMA-NIKAS)<br />R/UR78, M/UM978 (ALSUS-NIKAS)<br />BTN SFC-FL660. 0500-1500, 08 FEB 05:00 2016 UNTIL 11 FEB 15:00 2016.</i></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
The flight ban and flight route restrictions are <a href="http://7fbtk.blogspot.com/2015/09/russian-navy-exercise-in-eastern.html" target="_blank">identical to those used before by the Russian Navy</a>.<br />
<br />
While there has been no official statement by military public affairs representatives about the exercise, there are two naval combatants operating in the eastern Mediterranean Sea that could utilize the area: Slava-class cruiser "Varyag" (Pacific Fleet) and Udaloy I-class destroyer "Vitse-Admiral Kulakov" (Northern Fleet). <a href="http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12074912@egNews" target="_blank">Last month</a>, the destroyer conducted anti-air warfare training that included simulated surface-to-air missile and gunnery drills.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-78875163105835703402016-01-19T02:07:00.002+03:002016-04-24T14:30:44.785+03:00Follow-Up: Drafting Commercial Ships into the Russian Navy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBQCMJ7YEwA/Vp1jIICkhyI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/q4bWo6f4B7E/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBQCMJ7YEwA/Vp1jIICkhyI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/q4bWo6f4B7E/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Kazan-60" in Sevastopol --- January 12, 2016<br />(credit: Andrey Brichevskiy)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Four commercial ships that were commissioned into the Russian Navy <a href="http://7fbtk.blogspot.com/2015/10/drafting-commercial-ships-into-russian.html" target="_blank">three months ago</a> have made several trips between Russia and Syria. But a few of them have already required repairs since joining the fleet. Here is a brief update on their condition:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>"Dvinitsa-50" has completed at least two missions to Syria and appears to be operational. It was noted loading cargo earlier this month probably in preparation for another trip to Tartus, Syria.</li>
<br />
<li>"Kazan-60", has never been noted by Turkish shipspotters transiting the Turkish Straits since joining the Russian Navy. On January 12, this vessel was photographed at the 13th Shipyard.</li>
<br />
<li>On December 24, "Kyzyl-60", which was returning from its first mission to Syria, was photographed <a href="http://www.samanyoluhaber.com/rus-askeri-kargo-gemisi-canakkale-bogazi-haberi/1208495/" target="_blank">being towed</a> by Black Sea Fleet tug "MB-31" northbound through the Turkish Straits. The vessel was towed to the 13th Shipyard in Sevastopol, where it remains today, to undergo unspecified repairs.</li>
<br />
<li>"Vologda-50" has completed at least three missions and also appears to be operational.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gu3VydxcEGM/Vp1llXy9PpI/AAAAAAAAA0c/f6LNxuCQvzk/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gu3VydxcEGM/Vp1llXy9PpI/AAAAAAAAA0c/f6LNxuCQvzk/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Aleksandr Tkachenko" undergoing dock repairs in Sevastopol<br />(credit: United Shipbuilding Corporation)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While not part of the Russian Navy, the cargo vessel "Aleksandr Tkachenko", which also has ferried cargo between Russia and Syria, <a href="http://oaoosk.ru/press-center/news/sevastopolskiy-filial-zvezdochki-zavershil-remont-paroma-aleksandr-tkachenko-i-buksira-sevastopolets/" target="_blank">recently completed dock repairs</a> at Sevastopol Shipyard. Following post-repair sea trials on January 16-17, the ship began an easterly transit towards Novorossiysk.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MhjOQJIwpHI/Vp1oQlU1XhI/AAAAAAAAA0s/5fmREe5guV4/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MhjOQJIwpHI/Vp1oQlU1XhI/AAAAAAAAA0s/5fmREe5guV4/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Aleksandr Tkachev" at-sea activities --- January 16-18, 2016</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While a recent decrease in known ferrying activities may have been associated with the winter holiday season, it also may have been linked to the condition of some of the vessels tasked to perform such missions.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-29821196921732996522016-01-03T20:49:00.000+03:002016-01-03T20:50:34.122+03:00RF Navy Will Soon Receive Sixth-Gen Communications Systems<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZkKHIx7ovo/VolcgR1qtvI/AAAAAAAAAz4/UZ-FyUKU_c8/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="626" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZkKHIx7ovo/VolcgR1qtvI/AAAAAAAAAz4/UZ-FyUKU_c8/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Aleksandr Sergeyevich Yakunin - General Director, United Instrument-Building Corporation</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>[translation of select portions of RIA Novosti article: </i><a href="http://ria.ru/interview/20151228/1350434123.html" target="_blank"><i>Aleksandr Yakunin: Within a Year and a Half, We Will Be Ready to Fully Transition to Sixth Generation Technologies</i></a><i>]</i><br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
Many of our developments are on the cusp of the fifth and sixth generations. Within a year to year and a half, we will be ready to fully transition to sixth generation technologies. First and foremost, these will be software-defined radio (SDR) technologies, where communications quality will be achieved through software, and not by a device's internals. Software will allow communications characteristics, such as multi-mode, multi-spectrum, and security against intercept by an adversary, to be implemented at a new level.<br />
<br />
The first prototypes of such radio stations have already been produced for the Ground Troops. If we're talking about concrete deliveries, then in 2016 the Russian Navy will receive the first advanced communications systems for upgrading existing ships. In 2018, deliveries will begin of sixth generation communications systems for advanced Navy submarines and ships currently under development. At about this time, a new sixth generation system will be ready for the Aerospace Defense Forces, specifically for the Advanced Long-Range Aviation Aircraft Complex (PAK DA). Because of the new device, an aircraft will be able to operate in concealed modes and remain undetected by enemy radars.<br />
<br />
Due to a high level of automation and "smart" software, such technology makes operator errors unlikely. It is more powerful, works farther, and provides faster, protected communications. It has unlimited options for upgrading without altering the design - through software improvements alone.<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
The United Instrument-Building Corporation has developed a concept for configuration of a Common Information Space in the Arctic. This is a set of measures for developing a communications infrastructure and various types of monitoring. Using them, Russia will be able to monitor the movements of seaborne, airborne, and space targets in real time, and to track foreign nation activities in the air, on the sea and under the sea, from a near-earth orbit. It is an intelligent system, which will be able to provide necessary recommendations and automatically control various monitoring resources. If needed, it will be capable of targeting and passing guidance data to various weapons systems.<br />
<br />
[<i>Are these just plans, or are there already real projects?</i>]<br />
<br />
Concrete steps are already being made. Specifically, we have already produced the necessary framework for a radio-electronic surveillance and signals intelligence system in the Arctic. Monitoring resources on various platforms can be used for these purposes - ships, submarines, UAVs, aerostats, aircraft, and satellites. We will be able to reliably determine the types of transiting ships (military or commercial), the weapons on board these ships, radio-electronic tracking devices, etc.<br />
<br />
Additionally, a large project is being implemented for the Northern Fleet Joint Strategic Command. Under this project, in 2016 the Rodnik satellite communications system will begin to be combined with shore-based communications resources to control aircraft, ships and submarines in the Arctic zone. We also are preparing a design for a Northern Fleet Joint Strategic Command automated communications control system for Russia's Arctic grouping of troops. Under this design, all governmental and corporate communications and control systems in the Arctic region will be combined into a Common Information Space.<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
In 2016, we will be begin creating a cluster in St. Petersburg, which will comprise eight companies. It will primarily specialize in manufacturing devices for the Navy, shore-based communications stations (including communications with deep-water equipment), radio-electronic intelligence and monitoring systems, automated communications control systems, and telecommunications technologies. More than RUB 3.5 billion has been invested in its development. As a result, the range of products being manufactured will increase 150%, and the quantity of items being produced will increase 200%.</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571588420046176358.post-23358904333910785462015-11-23T14:53:00.001+03:002015-11-23T14:53:46.713+03:00Follow-Up 1: Why Did "Rostov-na-Donu" Return to the Baltic Sea?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It has become much clearer over the past three weeks why Kilo-class submarine "Rostov-na-Donu" made its mysterious port call in Kronshtadt. And it's bad news for ISIS/ISIL, FSA, or whomever Russian forces are targeting in Syria these days. As one blog reader opined, "Don't you think that stories about its malfunction was just a rumor, and in reality the submarine came for specific items that later can be [launched] from warmer waters?"<br />
<br />
As a recap, "Rostov-na-Donu" pulled into Kronshtadt on <a href="http://7fbtk.blogspot.com/2015/10/why-did-rostov-na-donu-return-to-baltic.html" target="_blank">October 29</a> - the 14th day of its inter-fleet transit from Polyarnyy to Novorossiysk. Claims by both official and anonymous sources covered everything from "topping off supplies <b><i>of all types</i></b> to required norms" to repairing broken equipment. It seems the official sources were correct.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n3qmsJLatkk/VlLqv3REubI/AAAAAAAAAxs/i51Ox31C9ZU/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n3qmsJLatkk/VlLqv3REubI/AAAAAAAAAxs/i51Ox31C9ZU/s640/1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hnW7eUtlmgY/VlLq352hh-I/AAAAAAAAAx0/wAiOC__R6tw/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hnW7eUtlmgY/VlLq352hh-I/AAAAAAAAAx0/wAiOC__R6tw/s640/2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYkUPv3P9LI/VlLq8p1aUxI/AAAAAAAAAx8/KWsRLH17DX0/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYkUPv3P9LI/VlLq8p1aUxI/AAAAAAAAAx8/KWsRLH17DX0/s640/3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Based on drone video, "Rostov-na-Donu" tied up at this pier in Kronshtadt</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While in Kronshtadt, <a href="http://flot.com/2015/%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%88%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%8F251/" target="_blank">heightened security was put into place</a>, limiting access to the submarine's location. However, a few adventurous photographers and one <a href="http://c.lifenewscontent.ru/static/posts/2015/11/170318/1575b4f06aa058b3a32d55d8a2e66f46.mp4" target="_blank">amateur drone</a> did record enough evidence showing that missiles were handled during the submarine's visit. Given the high level of security, one might conclude that it was more likely that missiles were loaded than offloaded.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhjNQ6dPiZ4/VlLugkgaqfI/AAAAAAAAAyM/jgMShIxo_bA/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhjNQ6dPiZ4/VlLugkgaqfI/AAAAAAAAAyM/jgMShIxo_bA/s640/4.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tZAwNE4aL9o/VlLumWJpNYI/AAAAAAAAAyU/Ai6yIY_raho/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tZAwNE4aL9o/VlLumWJpNYI/AAAAAAAAAyU/Ai6yIY_raho/s640/5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Circles indicate cylindrical objects and open torpedo tubes/loading device on "Rostov-na-Donu"</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The above two images, taken from a drone flying nearby, show a floating crane ("PK-175") positioned on the opposite side of the pier where "Rostov-na-Donu" had tied up in Kronshtadt. The floating crane, assisted by three harbor tugs, transferred from Admiralty Shipyards to Kronshtadt on October 28 - the day before the submarine's arrival. Multiple long, cylindrical objects are visible on the deck of the floating crane, and the submarine's torpedo tubes are open with a possible weapons loading device attached.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFN6-73CP00/VlLww2c4uVI/AAAAAAAAAyg/7E4N_sOlQKQ/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFN6-73CP00/VlLww2c4uVI/AAAAAAAAAyg/7E4N_sOlQKQ/s640/6.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GDMj5TJnQb4/VlLw1Kz7ODI/AAAAAAAAAyo/DIc5RCi559U/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GDMj5TJnQb4/VlLw1Kz7ODI/AAAAAAAAAyo/DIc5RCi559U/s640/7.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zt_hnWBUoXQ/VlLw5t8iIdI/AAAAAAAAAyw/HbvFqPqqQs4/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zt_hnWBUoXQ/VlLw5t8iIdI/AAAAAAAAAyw/HbvFqPqqQs4/s640/8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Circles indicate cylindrical objects on deck of floating crane</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Clearer images taken on November 4, the day the submarine departed Kronshtadt, show the cylindrical objects were visible on the deck of the floating crane. Also visible on the submarine was the flag of an embarked senior naval officer. Looking back at all the photos taken of the first Kalibr-capable Kilo submarine to transfer to the Black Sea Fleet, "Novorossiysk", it is evident that this flag was never flown at any point during its departure from Polyarnyy, during its port calls in Ceuta, Spain, and Oran, Algeria, or during its arrival in Novorossiysk and subsequent transfer to Sevastopol. The flag appears to have one star, indicating a <a href="https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A4%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B3%D0%B8_%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B6%D0%BD%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BD%D1%8B%D1%85_%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%86_%20%20%D0%92%D0%9C%D0%A4_%D0%A0%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B8" target="_blank">"commander of a formation" (командир соединения)</a> is on board. The 4th Independent Submarine Brigade, which stood up in December 2014 as the new parent command for the Black Sea Fleet's submarines, qualifies as a "formation" (соединение). Thus, it is possible that the brigade's commander, <a href="http://www.interfax.ru/russia/430658" target="_blank">Captain 1st Rank Magaram Yagishevich Adigyuzelov</a>, or his designated representative may have embarked in Kronshtadt for the submarine's transit.<br />
<br />
The RF Ministry of Defense did not report on the submarine's departure until <a href="http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12062611@egNews" target="_blank">November 5</a>. It did state, however, that "Rostov-na-Donu" would now arrive in Novorossiysk by the end of November. This differs from the MOD's earlier reporting that the submarine would arrive in Novorossiysk in <a href="http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12061036@egNews" target="_blank">early December</a>. Thus, despite the time it took to divert from its previous transit route (~1,000nm from the North Sea to Kronshtadt + ~1,000nm back) plus the seven days it spent in Kronshtadt, the new arrival time is now one-two weeks sooner than first reported. In order to transfer from Kronshtadt to Novorossiysk by November 30, the submarine would have to travel ~5,250nm in 26 days, which equates to a speed of 8.4 knots - not an unreasonable speed. It also suggests, however, that there is no time provided for any foreign port calls as they would increase the overall speed needed to complete the transit by the end of the month. Of course, the time frame provided for completion of the transit simply could have been misstated.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf8c5eg_cyw/VlL0IRoYiQI/AAAAAAAAAzA/2qJqYsnfK6c/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf8c5eg_cyw/VlL0IRoYiQI/AAAAAAAAAzA/2qJqYsnfK6c/s640/9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Dutch Navy keeping an eye on "Rostov-na-Donu"</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Two weeks later, on <a href="http://www.rbc.ru/politics/17/11/2015/564b0c329a79475ee76092df" target="_blank">November 17</a>, Russian business news agency RosBiznesKonsalting erroneously reported that "Rostov-na-Donu" had launched land-attack cruise missiles from the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The article was reproduced by some notable media outlets, such as <a href="http://www.dp.ru/a/2015/11/17/Rossija_nanesla_raketnij_u/" target="_blank">Delovoy Peterburg</a>, <a href="http://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2015/11/17/n_7899023.shtml" target="_blank">Gazeta.ru</a>, <a href="http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2856255" target="_blank">Kommersant</a>, and <a href="http://www.rosbalt.ru/main/2015/11/17/1462012.html" target="_blank">Rosbalt.ru</a>. If this were true, the submarine would have had to travel at an overall speed of nearly 16 knots for 13 straight days direct from Kronshtadt in order to launch missiles from the eastern Mediterranean Sea. However, the submarine was being monitored by Dutch naval ships as it transited south through the English Channel near the Netherlands on <a href="https://twitter.com/generaalverkerk/status/664453255716610048" target="_blank">November 11</a>. Thus, "Rostov-na-Donu" would have had to travel in excess of 19 knots for six straight days from the North Sea in order to reach the eastern Mediterranean Sea by November 17. Finally, the RF MOD has never reported that the submarine launched land-attack cruise missiles, something it most certainly would have done. Despite the improbability of "Rostov-na-Donu" launching missiles from the eastern Mediterranean Sea on or before November 17, RBK has neither edited nor retracted its article.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKf3GIHCAwA/VlL0Y9YXXtI/AAAAAAAAAzI/MORG2IJkqHo/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKf3GIHCAwA/VlL0Y9YXXtI/AAAAAAAAAzI/MORG2IJkqHo/s640/10.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Flight bans and flight route restrictions</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Earlier this month, flight bans and flight route restrictions were announced for Russian Navy exercise being held in the eastern Mediterranean Sea:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>A1459/15 - RUSSIAN NAVY EXERCISE (ROCKET TEST FIRINGS) WILL TAKE PLACE IN AREA:</i><br />
<i>344400N0345800E</i><br />
<i>351300N0345800E</i><br />
<i>351300N0353300E</i><br />
<i>344400N0353300E</i><br />
<i>THE AREA INCLUDES BUFFER ZONE. SFC - FL660, 14-16 AND 21-23 0500-1500, 14 NOV 05:00 2015 UNTIL 23 NOV 15:00 2015. CREATED: 09 NOV 10:37 2015</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>A1460/15 - DUE TO RUSSIAN NAVY EXERCISE AS REFERED IN NOTAM LCCC A1459/15 THE FOLLOWING AIRWAYS WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN SFC-FL660:</i><br />
<i>1.W/UW17(BALMA-NIKAS)</i><br />
<i>2.R/UR78, M/UM978 (ALSUS-NIKAS. 14-16 AND 21-23 0500-1500, 14 NOV 05:00 2015 UNTIL 23 NOV 15:00 2015. CREATED: 09 NOV 10:41 2015</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>A1499/15 - RUSSIAN NAVY EXERCISE (ROCKET TEST FIRINGS) WILL TAKE PLACE IN AREA:</i><br />
<i>344400N0345800E</i><br />
<i>351300N0345800E</i><br />
<i>351300N0353300E</i><br />
<i>344400N0353300E</i><br />
<i>THE AREA INCLUDES BUFFER ZONE. SFC - FL660, 0500-1500, 24 NOV 05:00 2015 UNTIL 26 NOV 15:00 2015. CREATED: 19 NOV 09:20 2015</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>A1500/15 - DUE TO RUSSIAN NAVY EXERCISE AS REFERED IN NOTAM LCCC A1499/15 THE FOLLOWING AIRWAYS WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN SFC-FL660:</i><br />
<i>1.W/UW17(BALMA-NIKAS)</i><br />
<i>2.R/UR78, M/UM978 (ALSUS-NIKAS. 0500-1500, 24 NOV 05:00 2015 UNTIL 26 NOV 15:00 2015. CREATED: 19 NOV 09:34 2015</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>A1510/15 - RUSSIAN NAVY EXERCISE WILL TAKE PLACE IN AREA BOUNDED BY</i><br />
<i>353200N0353200E</i><br />
<i>341600N0340000E</i><br />
<i>334410N0343606E</i><br />
<i>THEN FOLLOWING THE FIR BOUNDARY TO 353200N0353200E</i><br />
<i>THE AREA INCLUDES BUFFER ZONE. SFC - FL660, 21 NOV 00:01 2015 UNTIL 23 NOV 23:59 2015. CREATED: 20 NOV 15:37 2015</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>A1511/15 - DUE TO RUSSIAN NAVY EXERCISE AS REFERRED IN NOTAM LCCC A1510/15, THE FOLLOWING AIRWAYS WILL BE CLOSED:</i><br />
<i>W/UW17(BALMA-NIKAS)</i><br />
<i>R/UR78,M/UM978(ALSUS-NIKAS)</i><br />
<i>W/UW10,L/UL619(VESAR-NIKAS)</i><br />
<i>B/UB15,L/UL620(ALSUS-BALMA)</i><br />
<i>R/UR18(VELOX-ALSUS)</i><br />
<i>R/UR19(LCA-KUKLA)</i><br />
<i>R/UR655,M/UM601(LCA-BALMA)</i><br />
<i>P/UP42(DESPO-MERVA)</i><br />
<i>G/UG2(VELOX-ELIKA)</i><br />
<i>SFC-FL660. 21 NOV 00:01 2015 UNTIL 23 NOV 23:59 2015. CREATED: 20 NOV 16:34 2015</i></blockquote>
<br />
Flight ban areas defined in A1459/15 and A1499/15 are identical to those previously announced for <a href="http://7fbtk.blogspot.com/2015/09/russian-navy-exercise-in-eastern.html" target="_blank">similar Russian Navy exercises</a>. Flight ban area A1510/15 is of interest as it is not known to have been used before for Russian Navy exercises. And while all of these bans expire on or before November 26, there is no reason to believe they would not be reannounced, if needed.<br />
<br />
Of course, it would be easy to draw a direct correlation between the flight bans (those already announced and those that could be announced in the near future) and the unusual "Rostov-na-Donu" story. But...<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Would Moscow really announce to the world the launch location and missile flight path of a future land-attack cruise missile strike?</li>
<li>Does the geography of the Mediterranean Sea, coupled with large number of international air and maritime traffic routes, necessitate the announcement of flight bans and route restrictions for land-attack cruise missiles strikes?</li>
<li>Could these flight bans serve to distract potential foreign observers away from the true launch location? </li>
</ul>
</div>
7 Feet Beneath the Keelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539175192538421043noreply@blogger.com