Russia is sending two large and impressive anti-submarine
warships from the Pacific Fleet on an extended patrol that
includes port calls in India and Vietnam. Russia's choice of ship
is telling. Although they are warships, the vessels pose a
limited threat to commercial shipping unlike the increasing
multinational submarine threat in the South China Sea. Russia
hopes to reassure its allies in the region it can provide useful
military assistance and show a Russian military presence.
Analysis
Russia's Pacific Fleet returned to extended naval operations with
the Jan.15 sailing of two Udaloy class destroyers to India and
Vietnam. The choice of the Admiral Vinogradov and Admiral
Panteleyev, large anti-submarine warfare ships, demonstrates
Russian military capability and a willingness to provide
assistance in the vital shipping lanes of Southeast Asia.
Russia's extended naval journey is significant in that it marks
the Pacific Fleet's first long-term mission in the last five
years, Reuters reported Jan. 15. Until now, the Pacific Fleet has
been unable to conduct extended operations because of chronic
cash shortages.
Russia had a choice of ships to send on the voyage. The Pacific
Fleet, formerly comprised more than 100 submarines and surface
ships, now has a much-reduced capability. The fleet maintains
surface warships, among them several Sovremenny class destroyers,
powerful warships armed with supersonic anti-ship missiles.
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