ST PETERSBURG, Russia, July 31 (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin signed a new naval doctrine on Sunday that positions the United States as Russia’s main rival and lays out Russia’s global maritime ambitions for crucial areas such as the Arctic and the Black Sea.
Speaking on Russia’s Navy Day in the former imperial capital of St Petersburg founded by Tsar Peter the Great, Putin praised Peter for making Russia a great maritime power and raising the global standing of the Russian state.
After inspecting the navy, Putin gave a short speech in which he promised what he described as Russia’s unique Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles, warning that Russia had the military might to defeat any potential aggressor.
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Shortly before the speech, he signed a new 55-page naval doctrine, which sets out the broad strategic goals of the Russian navy, including its ambitions as a “great maritime power” that extend around the world.
The main threat to Russia, the doctrine says, is “the US strategic policy to dominate the world’s oceans” and the movement of the NATO military alliance closer to Russia’s borders.
Russia can use its military force appropriately to the situation in the world’s oceans if other soft powers such as diplomatic and economic tools are exhausted, according to the doctrine, recognizing that Russia does not have enough naval bases globally.
Russia’s priority was to develop strategic and naval cooperation with India, as well as broader cooperation with Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and other states in the region, according to the doctrine.
“Guided by this doctrine, the Russian Federation will firmly and resolutely defend its national interests in the world’s oceans, and having sufficient maritime power will ensure its security and protection,” the document says.
Putin’s speech did not mention the conflict in Ukraine, but the military doctrine foresees a “comprehensive strengthening of Russia’s geopolitical position” in the Black and Azov seas.
Relations between Russia and the West have been increasingly strained during the five-month conflict in Ukraine.
The doctrine also establishes the Arctic Ocean, which the United States has repeatedly said Russia is trying to militarize, as an area of special importance to Russia.
Russia’s extensive 37,650 km (23,400 mi) coastline, which stretches from the Sea of Japan to the White Sea, also includes the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.
Putin said the delivery of Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles to the Admiral Gorshkov frigate will begin in a few months. The location of its deployment will depend on Russian interests, he said.
“The key here is the capability of the Russian Navy … It is able to respond with lightning speed to all those who choose to infringe on our sovereignty and freedom.”
Hypersonic weapons can travel at nine times the speed of sound, and Russia has conducted previous test launches of the Zircon from warships and submarines over the past year.
In Crimea, Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said Ukrainian forces attacked the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in the Russian-controlled port city early Sunday, wounding five personnel. Read more
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Edited by Guy Faulconbridge, William Maclean
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