As Russia Expands Military Presence In Pacific, Experts Disagree Over Its Meaning

Russia will boost its military presence in the Pacific next year by uniting the naval aviation and air defense forces of its Pacific Fleet, which will be based out of headquarters located on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Forces located there will control airspace over the 1,250 kilometer-long (777 miles) peninsula in Russia’s Far East and the Artic region, and include aviation units, anti-aircraft missile and radio-technical troops that can detect possible air attacks and counter them.

Russia’s buildup of air defense forces relatively close to Alaska is seen by some as Moscow flexing its muscles and demonstrating its strike potential.

“The Russian direction to the Asia-Pacific region has an important strategic role,” Denis Denisov, Director of the Institute for Peacekeeping Initiatives and Conflictology told Caspian News.

“Presently, Russia focused on building a security zone primarily in the territory of eastern Eurasia, which can be clearly illustrated by Russian relations with People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Central Asian countries.”

Russia has beefed up its military presence and security posture in the Far East in recent years.

In 2015, President Vladimir Putin ordered an upgrade to Russia’s nuclear shipyards in Vladivostok, the largest Russian city in the east, giving them a new lifespan of at least 30 years. Military facilities have also been expanded to accommodate Russia’s oil and gas exploration and exporting ventures in the region.

In October, Moscow unveiled plans to establish a naval base in the string of Kuril Islands, which lie between the Kamchatka Peninsula and Japan.

Denisov cautioned against any assumption that Russia’s activities in the Pacific are related to the geopolitical situation involving North Korea, saying Moscow is more interested in creating a balance of power with regards to the United States, and its ally Japan.

“For Russia, North Korea is not a threat, but it is necessary to maintain a balance of power with our American partners and this aspect is a priority,” he said.

Pavel Luzin, PhD, CEO at Under Mad Trends research company, holds a different opinion regarding the Moscow’s efforts to unite air assets in Kamchatka, saying it’s a cover for submarine and nuclear-related efforts.

“It is a fact that submarines are also based in Kamchatka, and Russia’s main forces of the Pacific Fleet are located in the area of Vladivostok. Apparently, the generals and admirals came up with a bright idea to strengthen the protection of submarines with the help of aviation and air defense systems,” Luzin said.

Russia’s Navy includes 68 submarines, 20 of which are diesel powered and the remaining 48 powered by on-board nuclear reactors. The Pacific Fleet is the Russian Navy’s second largest, with 77 warships, including 23 artillery missile ships, 12 anti-submarine ships, nine assault landing ships, ten mine warfare ships, five ballistic missile submarines, and 18 general purpose submarines.

“The same situation we can observe with the strengthening Russian presence in the Kuril Islands. New garrisons are being created, new equipment and additional money is coming in, under the talks about covering up submarines,” Luzin said.

Russia is planning to increase the Pacific Fleet’s capacity further with ten new warships.

“In 2018, the Pacific Fleet plans to receive about ten advanced warships and support vessels… It is planned that after the Sovershenny corvette that arrived in Vladivostok this year, the Gromky and Gremyashchy advanced corvettes – which already have crews – will become part of the fleet’s surface force. One of these ships is being built in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, and the other, at St. Petersburg’s Northern Shipyards,” Pacific Fleet Spokesman Nikolay Voskresensky told TASS on November 28.

Russia will also be putting into operation eight ballistic missile submarines, including three Borei class and five improved Borei-A class boats by 2025, in order to guard the Northern and Pacific Fleets in the event of a nuclear war.