Russia is aiming for a comprehensive upgrade of its Pacific fleet as military tensions in the Indo-Pacific increase.
“According to our procurement plans, our command will be expanded to include new nuclear submarines in the coming years, which will help significantly strengthen the naval component of the Russian nuclear forces,” Chief of Staff of the Submarine Forces of the Pacific Fleet said the command of Rear Admiral Arkady Navarsky on Wednesday, according to the Russian state media company TASS. “We look forward to receiving four submarines, including two Borei-class ships and two Yasen-class ships. They are almost finished, some are already being tested. “
Navarsky confirmed that the Pacific Fleet will receive two upgraded Borei-AU ballistic missile (SSBN) boats and two Yasen-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarines in the coming years. Navarsky did not name the submarine models intended for the Pacific Fleet. One of the Borei-class SSBNs is confirmed to be Imperator Aleksandr III, which is currently under construction and due to be delivered to the Pacific Fleet in 2022. The second Borei submarine will be either Knyaz Oleg or Generalissimo Suvorov, the other will be sent to the Northern Fleet.
The two upcoming Yasen-class submarines of the Pacific Fleet are Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk, scheduled for delivery in late 2021 and 2022, respectively. The fleet is slated to receive a third Yasen-class submarine, Perm, by 2023. The Borei class is the new flagship of the Russian Navy and is intended to replace the aging Delta and Typhoon classes from the Soviet era. Navarsky noted that the Borei-class ships of the Pacific Fleet will be compatible with the new RSM-56 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), which is designed to replace the fixed-propelled SLBMs R-39 Rif in Russia’s nuclear triad. The Yasen M-class cruise missile submarines were introduced in the late 200s and were intended to phase out the attack submarines of the 1970s and 1980s that were taken over by the Soviet Navy.
Navarsky’s announcement comes amid a renewed surge in military tension in the Asia-Pacific region. Chinese officials have strongly condemned the new AUKUS security partnership between Washinton, London and Canberra. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned earlier this month that AUKUS would “damage peace and stability in the region” and urged British officials to “think twice about the trilateral pact”.
Moscow has aroused a newfound interest in the Taiwan debate in recent weeks. Russian President Vladimir Putin urged his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping not to consider using preventive military force against the island.
“I think China doesn’t need to use force. China is a huge, powerful economy, and in terms of purchase parity, China is now the world’s leading economy ahead of the United States, “Putin said in early October, according to CNBC. “By increasing this economic potential, China is able to implement its national goals. I don’t see any threats. “
Mark Episkopos is a National Security Reporter for the National Interest.
Image: Reuters
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