Putin signs new naval doctrine, declares US and NATO as main threats to Russia

Europe, News August 1, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new naval doctrine that declares the United States and NATO as its main rivals and threat in the Black Sea and Arctic Circle.

On Russia’s Navy Day in St. Petersburg, Putin made a short speech after inspecting a naval parade. He praised the ‘great sea power’ of the Russian navy that has helped increase the global standing of the Russian state. He also signed a 55-page document that defines the broad strategic aims of Russia’s navy, including its ambitions as a “great maritime power” that extends over the entire world.

Russia’s new Maritime Doctrine was posted on the Russian government’s legal information web portal. The document stated that “the major challenges and threats to the national security and the sustainable development of the Russian Federation related to the World Ocean are: the US strategic course towards dominance in the World Ocean and its global influence on international processes, including those related to the use of transportation lanes and energy resources of the World Ocean,”

The new doctrine identifies the expansion of NATO’s infrastructure towards Russia’s borders and the U.S.’s tightening grip over maritime access as one of the major threats to Russian security.

The new naval doctrine suggests that Russia aims to ramp up its activities in the arctic while increasing its operational capabilities to ensure the maritime security of its naval borders. “The strategic goals of the national maritime policy are as follows: raising the Navy’s operational (combat) capabilities for ensuring national security of the Russian Federation and protecting its national interests in the World Ocean,” the document highlighted.

The document also indicated that Russia would increase its focus on producing new aircraft carriers. “Developing a modern, hi-tech shipbuilding industry in the Far East designed for building large-tonnage vessels (in particular, for the Arctic’s development) and advanced aircraft carriers for the Navy.” the document read.

Although Putin’s speech at Russia’s Navy Day did not mention anything about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the document stated that Russia would carry out a “comprehensive strengthening of Russia’s geopolitical position” in the Black and Azov seas.

Russia develops Zmeevik Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile — *^{Russia to develop Zmeevik Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile. (Image Credit: IRIA)}*

During his speech, Putin stressed that Russia’s Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles are ready to be delivered to Admiral Gorshkov frigate within months. The location of their deployment for the new hypersonic missile has not been disclosed yet.

“The key thing here is the capability of the Russian navy. It is able to respond with lightning speed to all who decides to infringe on our sovereignty and freedom,” Putin highlighted during his Navy Day speech.