The Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy: Composition and Dislocation

Operational association The Caspian flotilla of the Russian Navy is based in Astrakhan, and includes surface ships, search and rescue vessels, aviation, parts of coastal forces, as well as special, technical and logistics support. Its main tasks are the following: to ensure national and state interests of the RF in this region, to counteract terrorism.

History

The Red Banner Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy is almost the oldest operative association of the navy of our country, formed in November 1722 by Emperor Peter the Great. At the same time, a military port was built in Astrakhan to protect the north and west coast of the Caspian Sea. The Caspian flotilla of the Russian Navy participated in virtually all the campaigns undertaken by the country in this region: the Persian campaign of 1722, undertaken by the emperor, was accompanied by 80 large ships. Since 1867 the main base has moved to Baku. Thus, the fisheries and trade were protected, the industrial interests of Russia in Iran were represented by the flotilla. Merits were great: the Caspian flotilla of the Russian Navy won the right to the St. George ribbon, which was worn by sailors on the caps.

In 1918, the flotilla became the Military Fleet of the Astrakhan Region, then it was reorganized in 1931. In the Great Patriotic Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy fought near Mariupol, Kerch, Sevastopol and many other fronts, the sailors accompanied military cargoes and oil across the Caspian in transport. For the great services in the war against the fascist invaders, hundreds of sailors and officers were awarded medals and orders, among them eight Heroes of the Soviet Union. The Caspian Flotilla itself was awarded the Order of the Red Banner and became the Red Banner.

Basis and composition

When the state of the USSR ceased to exist, and the republics were transformed into sovereign countries, in 1992 the forces, means and ships of the flotilla were also divided. Seventy percent of all funds were relocated back to Astrakhan, where the main headquarters is located, and besides, to Kaspiysk and Makhachkala, the remaining thirty percent went to Azerbaijan - housing, coastal infrastructure and ships. In 2010, the Caspian Flotilla is already part of the Southern Military District. It is almost the main component, since it contains parts of the Marine Corps, coastal missile artillery troops and much more, in addition to the main structure - several divisions and brigade ships.

Today, the Caspian Flotilla has about forty ships and various vessels, two patrol ships - Dagestan and Tatarstan, three small missile ships - Uglich, Grad Sviyazhsk and Veliky Ustyug, four small artillery ships - Makhachkala, "Volgodonsk" and "Astrakhan". And also there are rocket and artillery boats, two basic minesweepers and five raids, six amphibious boats and much, much more. The Caspian Flotilla, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, only in 2015 participated in more than forty exercises of different focus, including on combating terrorism. The flagship is the missile patrol ship "Tatarstan" under the command of Rear Admiral Igor Osipov. Ships and ships, units and special purpose units are honor and glory, which the Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy protects and multiplies. Its composition is diverse and as full as possible: this includes even a hydrographic vessel of the Navy's service.

Using

The above-water component of the Navy protects sea communications, transports and covers landings, establishes minefields and fights with a mine hazard, ensures the release and deployment of submarine forces, as well as their return to the base. Submarines also deliver unexpected strikes against continental and naval targets, as well as reconnaissance. Armament The Caspian flotilla of the Russian Navy has the most modern: ballistic and cruise missiles. Naval aviation is designed to confront the groupings of surface ships, for missile and bomb strikes against objects on the shore, to repel attacks of anti-ship missiles and enemy aircraft, to indicate the purpose of the ships when detecting enemy submarines.

Thus, all coasts of the Caspian Sea are defended: naval bases, ports, basing points and coastal objects, as well as combat operations by all the composition of airborne assault forces. The Caspian flotilla of the Russian Navy, whose composition presupposes the qualitative protection of our borders, not only stands guard but also restrains all the military forces of the rest of the world, pacifies the threats of ill-wishers towards our country, protecting its sovereignty even outside the land territories - in internal and territorial Waters, as well as the free movement of ships in open seas and oceans.

For the sake of peace

The conditions that ensure the safety of the Russian Federation's maritime activities are created and maintained, which is why the Russian navy is also present in the world's oceans. The flag, ships and vessels of the Navy are shown making visits to remote points of the planet, pursuing the interests of the Russian Federation, and also carrying out large-scale peacekeeping and humanitarian work of the world military community with the participation of the Navy.

So, in 2015, although the Caspian Navy flotilla is not based on a point outside the Caspian Sea, twenty-six blows from the UKCC were carried out by cruise missiles at the terrorist bases in Syria, which successfully hit eleven targets. The range of one and a half thousand kilometers is quite accessible to the ships of the flotilla: Uglich, Veliky Ustyug, Grad Sviyazhsk and Dagestan coped with the task perfectly.

Equipment

All the ships guarding our borders in the Caspian are developed and produced at the shipyards of the country: Zelenodolsk and Primorsk plants, shipbuilding plants in Azov, Astrakhan, Feodosia, Petrozavodsk, as well as the Volga, Zaliv, and 61 Communards, but Special pride - missile boats and minesweepers from the banks of the Neva River, which was received by the Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy. Address: St. Petersburg, Middle Nevsky Shipyard. Missile boats are equipped with tactical cruise missiles "Caliber", which is produced in Yekaterinburg. On the same basis, complexes of underwater, surface, air and ground basing, as well as export options have been developed. It is these weapons that Russia, India and China use.

Data on the export version was officially disclosed, so we can say about the maximum range of such a missile. It ranges from two hundred and seventy to three hundred kilometers. However, back in 2012, Sergei Akleminsky, Vice Admiral, who at that time commanded the Caspian Flotilla, met with the President of Dagestan, where other figures sounded. S. Akleminsky confidently stated that in his tactical version the cruise missile of the complex ZM14 ("Caliber") easily hits targets located at a distance of more than two and a half thousand kilometers. Twenty-six accurate volleys at the target in Syria and then another eighteen equally successful say that the Vice Admiral did not mislead anyone. Ships and ships, from where the attack was struck, is the Caspian flotilla of the Russian Navy, its address did not change, she did not leave the Caspian.

How the Caspian divided

The shores of the Caspian Sea are divided into five countries: Russia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Iran. Earlier, during the USSR, the countries claiming the largest lake in the world were only two - the Soviet Union and Iran. The change in the political map significantly complicated the situation. This region is extremely important for each of the above countries, it is biological and energy resources, there are large reserves of gas and oil, as well as ninety percent of the world's sturgeon. At the moment, the Caspian Sea between the riparian countries is not divided, except for economic zones and territorial waters. This situation does not satisfy either side. Everyone wants to get as much territory as possible by any means. Our interests in the Caspian Sea are protected by the Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy. The photo demonstrates that this protection is powerful enough.

The Russian Federation has long insisted that the Caspian Sea be something like a condominium, the common property of all five states, when everyone's actions are coordinated with the rest. It was not possible to achieve an understanding, and Moscow changed its position, proposing to divide the seabed along the median lines that continue to border on land, and the thickness of the sea will be common. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan agreed to this section. However, Azerbaijan wants to take possession not only of the bottom, but also the water area with the air space of its sector. Iran more like sharing equally - each country twenty percent. Turkmenistan insists on forty-seven miles of zones of economic interests. In a word, there is no agreement yet. This is due to the fact that several countries are applying for newly discovered deposits. Moreover, it is difficult to draw borders on the lake, where the water level is variable and the banks change their outlines all the time.

Causes of tension

All states of the Caspian region are increasing their armament and increasing the combat strength of their navies. The number of shock rocket ships is growing, the appearance of submarines is expected. Develop both diversionary and anti-sabotage units, as well as missile assets on the shore, marines and aviation. Experts unanimously say this in the analytical center on the world arms trade. Arms and the Caspian flotilla of the Russian Navy are increasing: marines, aviation, communications, armament - all this receives replenishment and additions. And what if the neighbors' answer to the question "why?" Russia receives a very incomprehensible, and the quantity and quality of naval forces in this case they grow continuously.

Threats from the Caspian Sea are very great, as the Caspian countries consider. This is smuggling, drug trafficking, poaching and, of course, terrorism. Of course, every point of these explanations is quite topical, especially since modern smugglers, poachers and even more terrorists are now equipped with the latest scientific and technical equipment. But how can missileships and submarines with nuclear warheads be used against a poacher? Of course, such weapons are intended for a more serious opponent. This can only mean one thing: political contradictions, which create such a high tension in the whole region, will not be resolved soon.

The intensity increased

In the summer of 2016, the number of marches significantly increased, in which the ships of the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy participated. Astrakhan, which is the main base of the fleet, took part in the development of training plans and the implementation of joint combat training tasks. The composition of the tactical groupings was different, artillery and rocket fire were fired with the involvement of up to twenty ships and support ships.

Competitions of international army games "Sea derby", "Depth" and "Sea Cup" were held. Passed more than 197 thousand nautical miles, that is over 336,000 kilometers. The time spent at sea by the crews was 2,300 days, that is, the figures of the previous year were almost halved.

Exercises-2016

Only one June training session in the Caspian lasted two weeks. The detachments of the warships and the support vessels assigned to them returned from the naval expedition along the central and southern parts of the Caspian Sea. The Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy fulfilled its assigned tasks for fifteen days. Makhachkala and Astrakhan took on their bases ships that had passed almost two thousand miles (3,600 kilometers of sea route) and carried out more than fifty different in the direction and subject ship exercises.

Improved joint maneuvering, interaction of the detachment of ships, worked out the movement in different ways. Artillery firing, mine protection training, anti-aircraft defense in cooperation with aviation, search and escort of naval and air targets, aviation guidance with further destruction of the target were carried out. Refueling on the move fuel and lubricants, replenishment of material stocks with the help of supply vessels. And this is only one trip. And the exercises continued throughout the spring-summer season.

Good news

A rescue tug boat was added to the Caspian Flotilla in July 2016. SB-738 perfectly passed the state tests: the power plants are working reliably, navigation equipment and other systems have shown themselves on the best side. The entire set of adjustment and control of the emergency and rescue kit was successfully completed, search, survey and diving operations at different depths were carried out, seaworthiness, handling, speed, stability, inertia in all operating modes were checked.

The vessel took part in shipboard exercises for its main purpose - fighting fires ashore and on emergency ships, with assistance to the injured, including medical, and evacuation of people. All the characteristics of the vessel are confirmed and meet the specifications. The Caspian Flotilla has included in its composition another ship unit to the other two, carried out for the same project. Now one tugboat will take off from the shoals ships on the Black Sea, and two - on the Caspian. And also to extinguish fires, provide electricity, keep emergency ships afloat, perform diving operations, collect spilled oil products from the water surface, perform survey and prospecting work.