Russia is planning a large-scale reinforcement of its navy in the context of tensions with the West, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
"The United States and other NATO member countries are increasing their naval presence in the world's oceans, including in waters directly bordering Russia," said Nikolai Patrushev, a close adviser to President Vladimir Putin and the country's former intelligence chief.
He stated that Russia needs to modernize its fleet because "trade routes are blocked, cargo and passenger ships of independent countries are stopped, searched and in some cases confiscated, under the pretext of fighting piracy." ;.
"It is necessary to ensure the constant readiness of our fleet to deter and prevent military conflicts and defend our country in accordance with international norms," Patrushev said today, as quoted by DPA.
"Russia is obliged to take into account all aspects of geopolitical processes. Bearing in mind the growing threats to us from the West, we are obliged to strengthen our navy", the representative of the Kremlin also stated, quoted by TASS.
"The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, gave a number of instructions on the issue of the development of shipbuilding for the needs of defense and security of the state. Some of the instructions refer to the personnel potential and to educational institutions in the shipbuilding sphere," added Patrushev.
The Russian Navy is involved in the war in Ukraine, which has been going on for three years now. Ships stationed in the Black Sea and a flotilla in the Caspian Sea regularly fire missiles at cities and other sites in Ukraine.
After suffering heavy losses such as the sinking of the flagship "Moscow" the main part of the Russian Black Sea Fleet has withdrawn from its base on the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed in 2014, in Novorossiysk, in Russia's Krasnodar region, DPA said.