Russia move to restore former Soviet military bases abroad — the real Syrian Free Press

Russia’s move to restore former Soviet military bases abroad is in line with the country’s new Maritime Doctrine and aims “to increase the autonomy of Russia’s naval presence in the World Ocean,” according to RIA Novosti political analyst Alexander Khrolenko. RIA Novosti political analyst Alexander Khrolenko believes that Russia’s foreign military bases are in sync with the country’s news Maritime Doctrine and help “boost the autonomy of the Russian naval presence in the World Ocean.” His remarks came after Russian Deputy Defense Minister Nikolay Pankov said on Monday that Moscow will establish a permanent naval base in the Syrian port city of Tartus, home to a Russian Navy maintenance and support facility which was established by the Soviet Union in 1977. Pankov also said that the Russian Defense Ministry was looking into reestablishing Russian bases in Cuba and Vietnam. In addition, media reports cited Russia’s plans to return to a former Soviet air force base in the Egyptian city of Sidi Barrani. Referring to Russia, Khrolenko explained that the naval bases abroad ensure the safety of the country’s major sea lanes and increase the navy’s combat capability by bringing missiles closer to the strategic areas of the potential enemy. According to him, the naval bases add to the more effective deployment of warships across the World Ocean, helping to focus on “potentially dangerous areas and crisis regions.”

via Russia move to restore former Soviet military bases abroad — the real Syrian Free Press