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Medvedev says Russia to step up navy presence in world's oceans
RIA
Novosti
Monday, Nov 16th, 2009
Russia plans to increase its naval presence in
the world's oceans, President Dmitry Medvedev said on board
a Russian warship during an official visit to Singapore on Monday.
Russia announced in 2007 that its Navy had resumed and would
build up a constant presence throughout the world's oceans.
Once one the world's most powerful forces, the Russian Navy
now has few ships regularly deployed on the open seas.
Asked by the crew of the Varyag cruiser if Russia's presence
would be stepped up further, Medvedev said: "Yes, this
is planned."
Moscow has recently contributed warships to international efforts
to combat Somali pirates. A flotilla of Russian warships also
participated in exercises with India and Venezuela last year.
Last year's tour of the Mediterranean, Caribbean, South Atlantic
and the Indian Oceans by a flotilla led by the heavy missile
cruiser Peter the Great was lauded by many in Russia as the
country's naval reappearance on a global scale and criticized
in the West as echoing the Cold War-era.
After making several port calls and engaging in antipiracy
operations off Somalia, the Peter the Great arrived in Venezuela
in late November, which coincided with Medvedev's state visit
to the Latin American state. The president visited the ship
along with his Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chavez.
In September 2008, Russia was reported to be in talks with
Syria on turning the Tartus port into a permanent Middle East
base for Russian nuclear-armed warships.
Medvedev said Russia needs an effective navy to be able to
send ships to take part in international missions.
"Our objective at the moment is to invest more considerable
funds in the Navy. Decisions have been made, warships will be
purchased under a state armaments program, certain steps will
be made next year," Medvedev said.
He also said the current economic slump would have an insignificant
effect on arms purchases for the Army and Navy.
"When the people find they can vote themselves
money, that will herald the end of the republic."
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