From ITAR-TASS:  The Russian Black Sea Fleet will be updated and improved to ensure the country’s national security. Up to 20 new ships, submarines and boats will join it in the near future , Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Alexander Fedotenkov said in connection with the 230th anniversary of the fleet to be marked on May 13. . . .

The latest guard ship Admiral Grigorovich of Project 11356 is expected to be launched in 2013 and placed in service in 2014. It will be the first in the series of six guard ships of the project with the Kalibr high-accuracy long-range missile system. The ships are named Admiral Essen, Admiral Makarov, Admiral Butakov, Admiral Istomin and Admiral Kornilov, the commander said.

The navy also expects to receive six new submarines of Project 636, the Varshavyanka class. The first three will be named Novorossiisk, Rostov-on-Don and Stary Oskol, the vice-admiral said, adding that seven more various-purpose naval boats and other ships would join the fleet.

In February 2012, Fedotenkov said six submarines of Project 636 would be accepted for service in the Black Sea Fleet by 2017. The first three will be received in 2014, one in 2015 and two in 2016 to form a full brigade of submarines. The ships were laid down at the Admiralteyskiye Verfi shipyard in St. Petersburg.

The Black Sea Fleet has two Alrosa submarines of Project 877V and a submarine of Project 641B. . . .

The air force of the Black Sea Fleet will also receive new aircraft, including Su-24M bombers. When Su-24Ms are received, the range of means of attack aircraft will enlarge. The capabilities of the air force will increase 2/5-3 times by 2020 as compared to 2012, he noted, adding that the anti-submarine, search and rescue and military transport aviation would also develop.  (photo: RIA Novosti)

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