Russian Defense Minister Reports on Upgrading of Russian Navy

Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu reported, in opening remarks to a meeting of the Defense Ministry Board yesterday, that the fleets of the Russian navy, along with the Caspian Sea Flotilla, have received some 130 new vessels since 2018, many armed with the latest long range weapons. “Particular attention is being paid to building up naval strategic nuclear forces,” he said. “The Navy has already received three of the latest Borei-A nuclear-powered submarine cruisers. The state trials of the strategic nuclear-powered submarine Imperator Aleksandr III, assigned to the Pacific Fleet, are about to finish. The portion of current ships within the nuclear triad has reached 100%.” The submarine force, he added, is to receive three multi-purpose boats armed with Kalibr cruise missiles as well.