Current days Russian Northern Fleet and Strategic Aviation take part in large wargames "SECURITY-2004" in Barents Sea. Today (18.02) in the sea there are 13 surface warships (incl. CV and CGN), 7 nuclear submarines, many aircraft. SSBN "Novomoscovsk" imitates ICBM launch. Engels AFB based Tu-95 bombers practice cruise missile launch.
Heavy nuclear-powered cruiser "Piotr Velikiy" have intercepted ballistic missile with her modified "FORT" SAMs.
President Putin himself visited Severomorsk. During ICBM training launch he was onboard of "Archangelsk" SSBN.
This is a good indication of Russia growing might because 5-7 years ago such maneuvres were impossible (lack of money, fuel, ammo and trained personnel). |