The ability to penetrate sea depths and imperceptibly wedged into the defense of the enemy. Choose the best place and time to attack. Survive without significant defense spending, using the uncertainty and ambiguity of the aquatic environment. The unique properties of submarines make it possible to provide an unprecedented effect of presence and deterrence, far from being proportional to the size and number of submarines themselves.
Today, the Russian Navy and the US Navy are the world's largest submarine operators. In service with each of the fleets are the best samples underwater weapons, represented by numerous types of submarines.
Underwater component of the Russian Navy
Strategic missile submarines (SSBNs). Carriers of submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles, the basis of Russia's "nuclear triad".
Project 955 and 955A "Borey"
In service - 3, under construction - 3, the planned composition of the series - 8 ... 10 submarines.
The newest and modern project underwater strategic missile carrier worldwide. Design features and noise characteristics of SSBNs pr. 955 make it possible to attribute them to a new, fourth generation of nuclear-powered submarines. Armament: D-30 missile system with 16 R-30 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missiles. New boats "Borey" and solid-propellant missiles open a new era in the domestic submarine.
Project 667BDRM "Dolphin"
In service - 7 units (1981-90).
The combat core of the naval strategic nuclear forces. Carriers of three-stage submarine-launched ballistic missiles R-29RMU2 "Sineva". The main trump card of the "Sineva" in comparison with the solid-propellant "Trident" and "Bulava" is their outstanding energy-mass characteristics (launching mass / firing range / throw weight), due to the fundamental properties of liquid fuel.
K-407 "Novomoskovsk" (pr. 667BDRM) after undergoing repairs and modernization
Project 667BDR "Kalmar"
Three boats that entered service in 1980-82, armed with the D-9R complex (16 silo-type launchers with R-29R liquid-fuel rockets). It is expected that the obsolete Kalmars will be gradually withdrawn from service and replaced by the latest Borei.
Project 941UM
TK-208 "Dmitry Donskoy" is the last of the Akula-type heavy SSBNs, converted into a launch stand for testing Bulava SLBMs.
Nuclear submarines with cruise missiles (SSGN) - 8 units, all belong to the project 949A "Antey" (1986-96). The famous "aircraft carrier killers", each of which carries 24 Granit anti-ship missiles.
Multipurpose nuclear submarines- 21 units. A diverse family represented by representatives of five projects:
Etc. 671RTM(K) - four submarines. Planned withdrawal from the fleet;
Etc. 945 and 945A - four submarines with titanium hulls. Deep modernization is underway with the installation modern systems And . All Condors and Barracudas will be back in service by the start of the next decade;
Etc. 971 "Pike-B" - twelve ships. Nine in combat strength, three in reserve and under repair for a decade. Another submarine (K-152 Nerpa) was leased to India. At the time of construction (80-90) "Pike-B" were the most formidable and advanced submarines in their class. They remain so today, adjusted for age. There are several modifications ("Improved Pike"), some representatives of the project in currently undergo modernization under various programs;
Etc. 885 Ash. Multi-purpose nuclear submarine of the fourth generation, equipped with missile system"Caliber". The boat "Ash" claims to be the best in its class among all foreign analogues. At the moment, there is one ship of this type (K-560 Severodvinsk) in service. At the shipyards, there are three more buildings being built according to the updated project 885M "Ash-M". The planned composition of the series - 8 submarines;
K-560 "Severodvinsk"
Nuclear submarines for special purposes- 2 pieces:
Carrier of deep-sea stations BS-136 "Orenburg" (re-equipped from missile carrier pr. 667BDR);
Nuclear deep-sea station AS-12 "Losharik" (project 10831), maximum immersion depth 6000 m, no armament.
Boat carrier BS-136 "Orenburg"
At the moment, according to a special project, another unfinished nuclear missile carrier K-139 "Belgorod" (project 09852) is being converted.
20 units, including:
18 "Varshavyanka" (pr. 877 and 636.3);
1 B-585 "St. Petersburg" (project 677 "Lada") - in trial operation in the Northern Fleet;
1 B-90 "Sarov" (project 20120) - an experimental diesel-electric submarine for testing new types of weapons.
In the coming years Russian Navy should be replenished with six more diesel-electric submarines, among which there will be two Ladas and four Varshavyankas.
Pike, Borey, Varshavyanka!
Submarine component of the United States Navy
Nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles (SSBNs - correspond to domestic SSBNs). In service with the only type - "Ohio". There are 14 boats in service, built between 1981 and 1997.
The Ohio-Trident-2 link can be considered the benchmark for naval nuclear weapons. carrier - unique boat, until recently considered the most secretive of the existing nuclear submarines. And a solid-propellant missile with unsurpassed weight and performance characteristics (it is no coincidence that 24 SLBMs fit on board, not the largest Ohio).
Nuclear submarines with cruise missiles (SSGN)- 4 units. They were converted from Ohio-class SSBNs. There are 154 Tomahawks on board each.
Multi-purpose nuclear submarines (or, according to the original classification, fast attack submarine - high-speed underwater hunters). There are currently three main types of multi-purpose nuclear submarines in service with the US Navy, including:
41 boat types "Los Angeles"(1981-96). Small in size, secretive and reliable underwater hunters have been the backbone of the US submarine forces for 30 years. Most of the surviving "Los Angeles" belongs to the "Improved LA" sub-series. Equipped with vertical launchers for storing and launching the Tomahawk missile launcher;
11 boat types "Virginia" three different sub-series (1997-2014). New American boats specialize in combat operations in the coastal zone: reconnaissance, sabotage operations and strikes along the coast. Like their predecessors, the Los Angeles, 12 missile silos for Tomahawks were installed in the bow of the Virginias. In total, it is planned to build 30+ nuclear submarines of this type, the last boats (sub-series 5) will be able to carry up to 40 cruise missiles;
Three "Sea Wolves". White elephants of the American fleet, formally considered the most advanced underwater hunters and the first in the world multipurpose nuclear submarines 4th generation. In fact, they are extremely expensive, piece designs, suffering from many "childhood diseases". The last SeaWolf-class ship, the Jimmy Carter, entered service in 2003 as a special operations boat.
Diesel-electric submarines
In connection with a pronounced offensive orientation, the American fleet completely abandoned diesel-electric submarines. The last diesel-electric submarine "Growler" was built in 1958.
Emergency surfacing of the Los Angeles-class nuclear submarine
The American aircraft carrier "Harry Truman" is approaching the Mediterranean Sea, and with it another dozen and a half formidable warships. In other words, the US is getting a new, even more powerful tool for delivering strikes against Syria. What could – at least in theory – be countered by Russia and its navy?
The intensity of passions around Trump's second missile attack on Syria has practically subsided, the tension has subsided, and with a sober look, two indisputable facts become clearly visible:
1) the missile strike was a shot in the air to remind the world that the West, led by the United States, is strong and united, that it has everything under control;
In addition, carrier-based aircraft can also be used in the next "retaliation strike". Despite the lack of accurate data on the presence of JASSM-ER long-range cruise missiles (about 1000 km) in the ammunition of aircraft carriers of the Nimitz type and in the “working” ammunition of the F / A-18E / F, this possibility should be borne in mind. In this case, three Truman strike squadrons (the fourth one provides air cover for the AUG) with a total of 36 Super Hornets can fire at least 72, maximum 144 missiles in one sortie against any target in Syria, being outside the Syrian air defense coverage area.
Russian Navy: "passive"
Unfortunately, the geopolitical crisis has found the Russian Navy in a situation where two of its most powerful surface ships cannot be used to perform combat missions in distant waters. "Admiral Kuznetsov" de facto became a medium repair with modernization back in October last year, and "Peter the Great", apparently, has already exhausted its operational resource (does not go to sea for about seven months) and also needs to be repaired. In 2016, our sluggish shipbuilding industry performed a real miracle, restoring the technical readiness of both cruisers and ensuring not only a brilliant demonstration, but also the use of their military force during the Syrian campaign, However, this time miracles are not to be expected.. That is why in the future we should have two permanent operational squadrons capable of arriving in any hot spot of the world ocean within one to two weeks.
A certain consolation is the fact that in the Syrian theater of operations Russia has own "unsinkable aircraft carrier": Khmeimim airbase, located just 2.5 km from the Mediterranean coast. In connection with the approach of the American armada, it makes sense to relocate all the MiG-29K (UB) that are in a state of airworthiness there (out of 23 vehicles in the 100th separate shipborne fighter aviation regiment based in Severomorsk-3).
A separate sore subject is the Moskva Guards missile cruiser, which for many years played the role of a “rapid reaction cruiser” in the Mediterranean direction. At the end of 2012, the ship already participated in the confrontation off the coast of Syria with the AUG, led by Dwight Eisenhower. In relation to Russia, the United States then did not behave as aggressively as it does now, and the confrontation ended quite happily (which in no way detracts from the courage shown by our military sailors, who, in fact, found themselves face to face with the superior forces of a potential enemy, whose intentions they knew nothing) . Be "Moscow" now on the go, it would take her only three days to cover Tartus, Khmeimim and all of Syria. In this context, two years and three months, during which the warship vital to Russia is in a non-combat-ready state, can be equated to a crime against the state.
Russian Navy: asset
Despite the fact that the forces of the Russian Navy and the US Navy are incommensurable, we have someone to send to the Syrian theater. At best, in order to cool hotheads, at worst, to die as heroes at the end of world history.
First of all, about those who are already in place (and can somehow resist American aggression). These are diesel-electric submarines. Black Sea Fleet (never been in the Black Sea) "Veliky Novgorod" and "Kolpino" and TFR (frigates) of the Black Sea Fleet "Admiral Grigorovich" and "Admiral Essen". Both those and others are carriers of anti-ship missiles (ASM) 3M54 of the Caliber complex with supersonic speed in the final leg of the flight. There is no one else to send from Sevastopol - someone has just returned from the BS, someone is not on the move, someone will be completely useless in the SPM (small missile ships and missile boats of the near sea zone, etc.). Article 12 of the Montreux Convention (only for repairs) prevents four new boats from passing through the straits - by and large, it all depends on Erdogan's goodwill, but he is unlikely to want to quarrel with NATO.
It can be said that on April 14, the ships of the operational formation of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean Sea completed their task, since enemy ships launched from their area of responsibility only nine missiles out of 69(13%). The Americans preferred to shoot "from around the corner" - from where ours were not.
In the north, a missile cruiser of the same type as the Moskva is completing a course of combat training (handing over course tasks) after a dock repair "Marshal Ustinov", one of our trump cards ("aircraft carrier killer" with the most powerful anti-ship complex"Volcano"). On the move and, apparently, two BODs are also combat-ready: "Severomorsk" and "Vice-Admiral Kulakov". These three combat units would have made an excellent naval strike group (KUG), which, if it had left Severomorsk at the same time as the Truman AUG, would have arrived at the theater before it.
The Baltic Fleet, which has already sent the Yaroslav the Wise TFR to the Mediterranean, could also strengthen the operational connection with a pair of corvettes. Despite the fact that these ships are armed with modest subsonic anti-ship missiles of the Uran complex (an analogue of the Harpoon), in the tracking mode at a direct radar line of sight, both the Uran, the air defense system, and 100-mm gun mounts will be useful. It is unfortunate that the terrible melee weapon - the destroyer "Persistent" with four 130-mm automatic cannons and supersonic anti-ship missiles of the "Moskit" complex - will be out of repair only in the fall. Finally, the new Admiral Makarov TFR, which was handed over to the Navy at the very end of last year, is still in the Baltic.
In turn, not as soon as we would like (up to 20 days), the KUG may be brought up from the Far East as part of another missile cruiser (Varyag) and two BODs (to choose from: Admiral Vinogradov, Admiral Panteleev ”, “Admiral Tributs”). All ships are on the move and, judging by the high activity at the combat training ranges in March, they are fully combat-ready. Depending on the circumstances, the Pacific KUG can operate in the Red Sea, and in the Persian Gulf, and in the eastern part of the NPM.
Regarding submarine forces (in addition to two diesel-electric submarines in Tartus), one can only assume that they are in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite the criticality of the situation with the atomic multi-purpose component Northern Fleet has several combat-ready boats, including the newest "Severodvinsk", "Gepard", "Pskov", "Obninsk". Confidence is not so great in relation to Nizhny Novgorod, even less in relation to Panther. In addition, from the north it is possible (and even necessary) to send one of the three anti-aircraft cruisers to the NPM: "Orel", "Voronezh" or "Smolensk".
As a result, about the same number of NK and submarines of the Russian Navy could theoretically be used against 16 warships of the US Navy.
Even taking into account the much higher combat potential of the American grouping, the balance of power does not seem entirely hopeless. This is due to two circumstances.
Firstly, the anti-ship capabilities of the armada are most likely limited by the outdated Harpoon anti-ship missiles., massive application of which is hardly possible, and mass production new LRASM anti-ship missiles (inconspicuous, long-range, but again subsonic) are just beginning. Secondly, the tracking regime worked out during the years of the previous Cold War, when Soviet ships relentlessly followed enemy ships, ready, in fact, for sea hand-to-hand combat using all available weapons, does not leave the Americans a chance to get out of the battle unharmed. They remember it, they know it and, most likely, will refrain from sudden movements.
In conclusion, it makes sense to designate one more real way, which the Navy can help the motherland in a threatened period. Namely: withdraw all guided missile submarines strategic purpose, which, no doubt, will be noticed by enemy reconnaissance.
Empty berths in Gadzhiyevo and Vilyuchinsk on satellite images should have a sobering effect on the instigators of the conflict.
On the whole, let's hope that reason will prevail– and we, having passed the optional and unfortunate period of confrontation with our American colleagues, will sooner or later come to cooperation for the benefit of each other and all of humanity.
We, in addition to the bitter truth, need and positive examples and we have them.
No matter how many problems with Russian naval construction become known, it is always worth remembering the main thing: the Navy is vital for Russia to be able to conduct at least some politics in the world. No - there is no politics, there is no way to achieve the realization of the interests of the state anywhere.
The very recent past, so recent that it flows into the present, gives us an example of how the Russian Navy, with all its problems, in fact defended Russian foreign policy interests, playing a simply strategic role not only in the Russian foreign policy but also seems to be in the newest overall.
We are talking about the role the Navy played in the landmark event of recent years - the war in Syria.
It does not matter who and what thinks about it, but if it were not for the Navy, then Syria would not exist now as such. There would be no our base in Tartus, the base in Khmeimim, Bashar al-Assad, the Christian community that preserved the Aramaic language, which was spoken in those parts back in the time of Jesus, women who allow themselves to walk down the street with open faces, thousands of cultural monuments - nothing would was no longer there.
The beginning of the confrontation
Now few people remember how it all began. It's worth refreshing your memory.On Thursday, the Russian news service Interfax, citing anonymous sources in the country's Defense Ministry, reported that Russian warships are leaving ports in Europe and the Arctic to arrive in the eastern Mediterranean, and that some of them are destined for the port of Tartus in Syria. Eleven ships, including five large amphibious transports, four of which are capable of carrying 200 soldiers and ten each, and the fifth with twice as many, will make the transition from the Arctic, Baltic and Black Seas to conduct exercises in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. Russian news agencies say that one of the destroyers, "Sharp" from the Black Sea Fleet, will reach Tartus within three days. Two large transports, "Nikolai Filchenkov" and "Caesar Kunnikov" (the latter participated in the war with Georgia in 2008), are also expected from the Black Sea, although it is not known whether they will enter Syria ...
With the participation of American intelligence services in the area of the Al-Jafra oil field near military base The United States in the province of Deir ez-Zor is preparing a new provocation with the alleged use of chemical weapons, said an informed source associated with the Syrian special services. “US intelligence services in Syria are planning provocations using prohibited substances,” a source told RIA Novosti. According to him, the operation is led by a former militant of the Islamic State terrorist group [banned in the Russian Federation] Mishan Idriz Al Hamash.
There was a lot of such news later, the Ministry of Defense monitored both the delivery of chemical warfare agents to Syria, and the preparation of both terrorists and their owners - the Americans for a new provocation, which, in their opinion, should have been as successful as the previous one. To put these Russians in their place, to frustrate their plans, to prevent them from entering into alliances - who needs such an ally, for an alliance with which Tomahawks fall on their heads? But this time it didn't work.
Since August 2018, when rumors were already circulating in Washington about a new strike being prepared against Syria, Russia began deploying a naval grouping in the Mediterranean Sea of such a force that had not been there for a very long time.
The following were sent to the Mediterranean Sea: Marshal Ustinov, Severomorsk BOD, Admiral Grigorovich, Admiral Essen, Admiral Makarov frigates, Inquisitive TFR, three RTOs with Caliber missiles, capable of get almost any target in the Mediterranean, two diesel submarines.
"Marshal Ustinov" and "Severomorsk" go to the Mediterranean Sea
Aerospace Forces aircraft from the Khmeimim air base began to carry out demonstrative flights over French ships with suspended anti-ship missiles, and Su-30SM naval aviation flew to the Khmeimim base itself.
Since the end of August, the group began exercises, and aviation carried out a demonstrative missile attack on the skeleton of the old Syrian TFR.
X-35 missile strike, on the old TFR project 159
And everything faded. There was no provocation with chemical weapons, there was no strike on Syria. Never happened again.
You can agree with the role of the fleet, or you can dispute it, but the fact is obvious: there is no naval grouping in the eastern Mediterranean - there are American missile strikes. There is such a grouping - there are no strikes, and there are not even hints of them, moreover, with the apparent desire of the enemy to deliver them.
Admittedly, the combat composition of the group was far from balanced, so its anti-submarine defense was a clear “weak point”, the ability of the low-seaworthy RTOs of the Buyan-M class to maneuver together with the rest of the squadron at high speed (if it was needed) was “questionable” , but as a demonstration of strength, the operation was quite a success, and the fading of the theme with new attack Syria is clear evidence of this.
conclusions
During the ongoing in the Syrian Arab Republic civil war and the international terrorist intervention inspired by the United States and its allies in this country, the Russian Navy played a decisive role in preventing the defeat of the Syrian government. The Navy did not allow a missile attack on the Syrian army at critical moments in 2013, provided everything required time military transportation, delivered demonstrative, politically very important missile strikes from a long distance, and in the end stopped another planned missile attack on Syria by the United States.At the same time, it is an obvious fact that in the presence of a significant number of warships of the Russian Federation, especially missile cruisers, in the region, the United States and its allies behave very restrainedly and do not carry out any provocations.
Thus, the Russian Navy turned out to be vital essential tool both to save the Syrian Arab Republic and to supply it armed forces, without which this country would have already perished at the moment.
The events around Syria in 2012-2018 show very clearly what role the Navy plays in the country's foreign policy.
They also show that no coastal forces, no mosquito fleet is simply capable of playing the same role: the Americans clearly turn their tails between their legs only when there are BODs in the region, which their submariners are still afraid of, and a missile cruiser. The presence of frigates alone, even if they are capable of delivering strikes along the coast with Caliber cruise missiles, does not stop them. NATO also reacts painfully to aircraft armed with anti-ship missiles.
Yes, the composition of the Navy groupings was not ideal - both because of the RTOs, and because of the minesweepers that required urgent modernization, because of insufficient anti-submarine defense, and the number could sometimes be larger, but even in this form, the Navy has its own tasks in the Syrian war fulfilled more than completely. And the air-based Onyxes and more modern anti-submarine aircraft would not interfere with naval aviation. But after the sinking of the target ship, the enemy quieted down without this.
And this is quite a proof of the need for Russia as an ocean fleet (cruisers and BODs came from other oceans), and naval aviation, including attack (assault). I would like, of course, that in the event of a "failure" of the situation from a demonstration of force to a real clash, we would always and in all cases have something to "put on the table." Basically, it is solvable.
In the future, if Russia has its own independent policy in the world, then there must be a fleet corresponding to this policy.
And whatever happens to him now, we should all believe that she will have him, and actively seek this, without succumbing to either “dizziness from success” or calls to go “ashore”, limiting ourselves to missile boats and coastal missile systems.
And then everything will work out for us.
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Dominance at sea has always allowed strong countries to dictate their terms. States discovered and conquered new territories, carried their orders and faith. In the 21st century, things are a little different, but a large fleet remains a huge advantage.
We will find out which powers have the largest fleet in the world, how many ships they have and what is the history of the development of shipbuilding.
The largest fleets in the world for 2020
Statistics on the number of ships changes annually. Some countries, for lack of funds for modernization, are reducing the fleet, others are building new ships. At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, the Soviet Union could boast of the number of warships. 1053 units of marine equipment stood guard over the state borders. This figure today can be compared with the number of ships of the modern maritime powers of the world.
Number change submarine fleet Russia after the collapse of the USSR and for 25 years
In addition to the navy, merchant ships are important, which should also be discussed. To begin with, let's present an assessment of the largest fleets in the world.
1. US Navy
As of the beginning of 2020, the number of ships in the US Navy is 289 units. In addition, the United States is the world leader in the number of aircraft carriers, there are 11 of them. The flag of the naval forces is decorated with white and red stripes and the image of a snake with the inscription "Don't step on me".
The largest and most technically equipped fleet belongs to the United States
As part of the US Navy:
- Nimitz-class aircraft carriers - 10;
- aircraft carrier "Gerald R. Ford" - 1;
- destroyers of the URO squadron - 69;
- missile cruisers "Ticonderoga" - 22;
- patrol and other vessels - 31;
- submarines - 71 and others.
The composition differs not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively. US ships are equipped modern equipment. 332,507 people serve in the Navy. have dominant positions in pacific ocean that were secured in World War II by ousting Japan.
Guys of the US Navy
2. Chinese Navy
The fastest growing fleet in the world belongs to China. Every year, the state provides an increase in units of marine equipment. For the first time, Mao Zedong spoke about the construction of this type of troops in 1949. Today the structure is divided into three fleets:
- Northern;
- Southern;
- Oriental.
China's fleet ranks first in the world in terms of growth
China today opposes Japan, and also causes justified fears of the US government. Number of ships various types at the end of 2018 is about 465 troops - more than 324,000 people. It ranks first in the world in a number of population parameters:
- diesel submarines;
- missile and patrol boats(100 units of each type);
- landing ships.
It is important to note here that the US landing craft are superior to the Chinese in terms of tonnage and capacity. For the uninterrupted supply of fuel to the fleet, China is creating external bases in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. So, for refueling under a special agreement, Chinese ships call at the ports of Gwadar (Pakistan), Victoria (Seychelles), Yangon (Myanmar) and so on.
3. Russian Navy
The main adversary of the United States at sea was considered the USSR and its successor, Russia. The total number of ships of the Russian Navy at the end of 2018 is 270, but they also include those that are in reserve and for modernization. Half of them are actively used. By the end of 2020, it is planned to deliver additional 54 military vessels, and after 7 years - more than 100. The priority direction is submarines carrying modern missile armament.
Russian submarine "Dmitry Donskoy" - the largest in the world
The main problem of the Russian Navy is the lack of ships for long-distance cruises, and this gap should be filled before 2020. Russia also claims its rights to the Arctic, considering it a zone of future development. Projects of Mi-38 and Mi-26 helicopters for severe weather conditions are being developed.
The main headquarters is located in the Admiralty complex in St. Petersburg.
4. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
For the first time self-defense forces at sea in Japan appeared in 1954. The composition includes 4 groups:
- educational;
- escort;
- underwater;
- aviation.
New Japanese Shiranui-class destroyer
The Japanese Navy has 70 warships, including 17 submarines, 3 light aircraft carriers, and about 40 destroyers. The main purpose of creating troops is to ensure the security of the country, but today the law allows the armed forces to act differently if necessary.
45,000 officers and sailors serve in the MSS of Japan. The Coast Guard is a separate division and is not administered by the Secretary of Defense.
5. Indian Navy
Today, India has one of the largest and most powerful fleets in the world, although 5 years ago, its place was occupied by the once great maritime power of Great Britain. The structure includes 50 ships, including:
- aircraft carrier - 1;
- diesel submarines - 13;
- frigates - 14;
- light aircraft carrier - 1;
- destroyers - 11 and so on.
In India, the battle group of ships is divided into 3 parts: surface, underwater, auxiliary. The number of regular troops is 58,350 people.
New Indian corvette “Kiltan”
In 2012, the military department laid down 6 Scorpene-class submarines; they will soon replenish the composition of the naval forces.
Navies of the Russian Federation
Let's talk more about the Russian fleet. In addition to a clear division into submarine, surface forces, naval aviation and coastal troops, there is a division on a territorial basis. Each fleet has its own headquarters, subordinate to the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. Consider a list of naval formations, their combat power and tasks. Commander-in-Chief of the Navy - Admiral Evmenov M.A.
Red Banner Northern Fleet
The largest of the five military maritime districts in terms of composition is the Northern. The headquarters is located in Severomorsk, Vice Admiral Moiseev A.A. is in command of the troops.
"Peter the Great" on guard of the northern shores of the country
The history of the northern naval forces began in 1933, although Peter I built ships in cold conditions as early as the end of the 17th century. This is the "youngest" association. Combat strength is based on torpedo and nuclear submarines, anti-submarine, missile and aircraft-carrying ships with the flagship "Peter the Great", which is a heavy missile cruiser.
Since 2014, it has become part of the fifth military district of the Russian Federation - "North", under its protection the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, the Republic of Komi and the Murmansk, Arkhangelsk regions. The priority task is to protect the interests of the country in the Arctic.
Red Banner Black Sea Fleet
It ensures the security of the country in the zones of the Black and Mediterranean Seas and has existed since 1783. After the annexation of Crimea, Empress Catherine II issued a decree on the creation of an association of troops in the region. In the same year, 11 ships of the Azov Flotilla entered the Akhtiar Bay, where the city of Sevastopol was later founded.
The flagship "Moskva" in 2018 left Sevastopol for scheduled repairs
Today, the naval forces are commanded by Vice Admiral I.V. Osipov. Number - 25,000 sailors and officers. The headquarters is based in Sevastopol. Part of the Southern Military District. Currently, the troops are waiting for additional deliveries of ships. The flagship of the Black Sea is the missile cruiser Moskva. The composition also includes:
- diesel submarines of the "Varshavyanka" type, which proved to be excellent in combat operations in Syria;
- large landing ships of projects 775, 1171;
- minesweepers and anti-submarine ships and others.
By 2022, an additional small rocket ship"Kozelsk", five patrol ships, fuel tankers.
The headquarters of the Pacific Fleet is located in Vladivostok, it is commanded by Admiral S.I. Avakyants. The composition includes:
- the flagship of project 1164, the cruiser "Varyag";
- anti-submarine ships of project 1155;
- destroyers;
- corvettes;
- small missile and anti-submarine ships, etc.
The main task is to ensure the security of the Russian Federation in the Pacific Ocean. According to the results of the audit in 2017, the Pacific Association was recognized as the best in terms of the quality of combat training.
missile cruiser Varyag in the Mediterranean
The first entry into the sea of Russian ships from the Far East refers to XVII century. In 1716, a port was founded in Okhotsk, which was a shipbuilding base. The first explorer of the eastern shores and nearby territories was the Cossack Ivan Moskvitin. Later, Siberian merchants selling furs began to use the route.
Today, the composition of the fleet is being modernized and replenished.
Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet
The twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet based in Kaliningrad has an important strategic importance. Commander - Admiral Nosatov A.M. The first ship was laid down in 1703 by order of Peter I and was named Shtandart. Kronstadt was considered the base.
Destroyer “Persistent”
The history of the BF knows hundreds of victorious battles. Current state- This is a large association, which includes both coastal and ship forces, and naval aviation. The flagship is the destroyer Persistent.
The Baltic Fleet is actively cooperating with the Sever forces, 33,200 people are serving here.
Caspian flotilla
In Astrakhan, under the command of Rear Admiral S.M. Pinchuk, a flotilla is based on the closed Caspian Sea. This is the most powerful association of this area of responsibility. The composition includes:
- patrol ships;
- small combat boats;
- landing and large combat boats;
- minesweepers.
Powerful Caspian flotilla
There is a terrorist threat in the Caspian Sea zone, so the fighters must always be ready. 85% of the fleet are new technical means. Hovercraft have two bases: in Kaspiysk, in Makhachkala.
largest merchant fleet
Trade in the ocean is also actively developing, the number of ships with a large displacement is growing: container ships, tankers and others. At legal registration new ship, the port of registry is important. Seafarers are well aware that the strict conditions of registration and taxation in their homeland take a lot of effort, time and money. Therefore, it turned out that the largest merchant fleet in the world belongs to Panama.
Panama
A small state in America owns the Panama Canal and does not build large ships. At the same time, Panama is the owner of a huge fleet. It's all about the flag of convenience. When registering a vessel in Panama, the owner pays a small tax and can recruit a crew for little money. Registration is often done online. Initially, the flag of Panama was chosen by American ships that wanted to sell alcohol to passengers during Prohibition. If in 2005 the number of Panama ships reached 4688, today the figure has exceeded 9000.
The flag of Panama has proved to be the most convenient for merchant and passenger ships around the world.
Liberia
Liberia followed the example of Panama and began to provide simplified registration. It has long been said that the number of the merchant fleet will grow. Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world, an important source of its income is the use of a "flag of convenience".
Incidents involving Liberian-flagged ships are on the rise around the world
China
China is strengthening its position at sea. The number of trade operations in the Pacific and Indian Oceans is growing. The shipbuilding sector is controlled by the state. The growth of the industry was noted in 1999. Today, the total tonnage of China exceeds 170 gross tons.
A large number of orders for the construction of ships are carried out by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Singapore
Fifth place on the list is occupied by the economic leader of Southeast Asia, Singapore. The number of dry cargo ships, tankers, container ships, and refrigerators is increasing every year. The reason for registering in Singapore is the convenience of the flag. Notably, even landlocked Mongolia, Bolivia, and Moldova provide maritime registration and fleets.
Port of Singapore
conclusions
- The largest fleet in the world belongs to the United States. It is equipped with 289 units of naval equipment, as well as aviation groups. The top five also includes the naval forces of China, Russia, Japan and India.
- The largest association of the naval forces of the Russian Federation is the Northern Fleet.
- Panama, Liberia and China have the largest merchant fleets in the world.
Despite some growth in military shipbuilding, which emerged after 2015, Russia has not yet reached the level of 2007, when the combat capabilities of the Russian Navy were 65% of those of the United States. According to the naval portal Mil.Press FLOT, for last year this figure was only 47%. This is more than in 2016 and 2015. (45 and 44% respectively), but still the statistics leave much to be desired.
This indicator does not answer the question of who will win the war, since with the advent of nuclear weapons everything got a lot more complicated. However, the numbers make it possible to compare the fleets of the two superpowers and the dynamics of growth.
In 2017, Russian sailors received only two large warships - the Admiral Makarov frigate of project 11356 and the Perfect corvette.
Corvette "Perfect". Photo: mil.ru
In theory, the Project 22350 frigate "Admiral Gorshkov" of the Fleet of the Soviet Union, which is undergoing state tests, is on its way. But experts do not undertake to predict when the ship will be handed over to the Russian Navy. Deadlines have been pushed back too often.
With the ship of the same series "Admiral Golovko" the problem is even more serious. The frigate never received the engines that were previously supplied by the Ukrainian Zorya-Mashproekt.
A similar situation has developed with three frigates of project 11356. Alternative production of turbines in Rybinsk has not yet been established. And the ships will be commissioned at best in 2020-2021. The fate of the large landing ship Ivan Gren is also unclear - it was also planned to be transferred to the fleet last year, but this did not happen.
Landing ship "Ivan Gren". Photo: mil.ru
The nuclear missile carriers "Ryazan" and "Tula" who returned from the repair docks somewhat corrected the general situation. But these good submarines of the 1980s. cannot duplicate the new Borei submarines, which should form the basis of the strategic fleet.
At the same time, American sailors received new aircraft carrier Gerald Ford, two Arleigh Burke-class missile destroyers, two Virginia-class utility submarines, and three ships coastal zone LCS type. In addition, the second stealth destroyer of the Zamwalt class, the Michael Monsour, is being tested, although the date of its transfer to the US Navy is still unknown.
The destroyer Arleigh Burke. Photo: wikipedia.org
But definitely this year the Americans will receive three Arleigh Burke destroyers, two Virginia-class submarines, a San Antonio-class landing ship and three LCS.
Russia could significantly improve the situation with the very Mistrals, which, due to sanctions, never got to the Russian Navy. Now ships will either have to be purchased, for example, from China, or built from scratch, which is very difficult.
Coastal ship LCS 2. Photo: GLOBAL LOOK press/Deven Leigh Ellis
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation is slowly but surely updating the fleet. For the time being, it was decided to abandon the construction of a new aircraft carrier for financial reasons. And all the forces and means are now thrown into new submarines and frigates, which must be completed at any cost. In addition, do not forget about the modernization of heavy nuclear cruisers"Peter the Great" and "Admiral Nakhimov", which are planned to be equipped with the most modern weapons.
