Military acceptance syria fleet tartus. What is the city of Tartus (Syria) famous for? Goodwill and legitimate power
The construction consists of several small structures (to the right of No. 11 on the plan) and products - two floating piers (see No. 5 on the plan) 100 meters long each (by 2013 only one is in good condition). The only foreign logistics center for the Russian Navy. The PMTO is located on the territory of the Syrian naval base (63rd brigade of the Syrian Navy).
The PMTO of the Russian Navy is guarded by two platoons of marines
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1971 - 2015The logistics center for the Navy in Tartus appeared in the USSR in 1971, in accordance with a bilateral agreement between the two countries.
Initially, the point was created to ensure the actions of the Soviet fleet in the Mediterranean, namely, to repair ships and vessels of the 5th operational (Mediterranean) squadron, to supply them with fuel, water and consumables.
As of 2009, the naval logistics center consisted of two floating berths, a floating workshop - PM-61M (one since 1999), an administrative building, a barracks, two small storage facilities and various utility facilities on land. Only one of the two berths was serviceable. The PMTO of the Navy in Tartus served a staff of four Russian military sailors.
In 2010-2012, it was planned to modernize the berthing front, after which the Navy logistics center becomes a full-fledged naval base with the possibility of basing heavy ships, including cruisers and aircraft carriers. The base in Tartus would be able to provide everything necessary for ships that will carry out the tasks of protecting civilian shipping in the Horn of Africa from Somali pirates, significantly increasing the possibility of operational use of the forces of the fleet due to the fact that very close to Tartus is the exit to the Red Sea through the Suez Canal. In addition, it takes about 6-7 days from Tartus to get to the Strait of Gibraltar, through which ships enter the Atlantic Ocean, which is the operational zone of the Northern and Baltic fleets. The proposed upgrade did not take place.
In the early summer of 2013, it was announced that Russia was planning to resume a permanent naval presence in the Mediterranean in 2014, which could have affected the role of the 720 Navy PMTO in Tartus. However, in June of the same year, a number of media outlets published a statement that Russia withdrew all military personnel from Tartus in order to avoid any incidents with the Russian military that could cause unwanted political resonance. According to the statement of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the point in Tartus is not strategic for a permanent task force of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean Sea, since Russian ships can resupply in the Cypriot port of Limassol. The Russian Ministry of Defense denied the media reports the next day, confirming, however, that only civilian, not military, personnel were present at the base.
In September 2013, Russia restores its presence in the Mediterranean. A Mediterranean squadron of the Navy of the Russian Federation, operating on a permanent basis, is being created, including up to 10 ships, including combat ships and support vessels.
Expansion and modernization after 2015
In 2015, it is planned to reconstruct the 720th PMTO of the Navy in the Syrian port of Tartus, after which it will be able to simultaneously receive ships of the first and second ranks from the Russian Mediterranean group. After the modernization of the infrastructure of 720 PMTO of the Navy, one of the floating piers will be able to receive a ship of the first rank (cruiser or destroyer), and the second - two ships of the second rank at once (a frigate or a large landing ship).
“The PMTO of the Navy in Tartus will not only be preserved, but also significantly updated, taking into account the new political situation in Syria and the military situation in the Mediterranean region. We plan to start upgrading the entire infrastructure of this point next year. By separate agreement with the Syrian side, we will strengthen all types of defense of this facility, including air defense and anti-sabotage defense," the representative of the Main Headquarters of the Navy said.
On March 26, 2015, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said:
“We welcome the expansion of the Russian presence in the Eastern Mediterranean, especially along our coasts and in our ports. According to the Syrian President, “As for the Russian presence in various regions of the world, including in the Eastern Mediterranean, in the Syrian port of Tartus, it is necessary to maintain the balance that was lost after the collapse of the USSR more than 20 years ago.” “For us, the more Russia’s presence in our region strengthens, the more stable it becomes, since Russia plays a very important role in strengthening stability around the world”
In response to the call made by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for Russia to return to Syria and, first of all, to create a full-fledged naval base in Tartus, the answer was:
“Russia will not yet create a full-fledged military base in Syrian Tartus, as this could lead to an escalation of the conflict in Syria,” Viktor Ozerov, head of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security, told Interfax on Friday.
“On the one hand, this is beneficial for us, we would like to return to Tartus, since these are, first of all, good opportunities for our vessels. But, on the other hand, in the situation that has developed in Syria, this will push certain forces, including opposition forces, to escalate tensions,” Ozerov said.
On August 26, 2015, a Russian military delegation arrived at the port of Tartus to meet with representatives of the logistics service of the Syrian Arab Army.
On October 14, 2015, the Syrian government news agency SANA published information that after the completion of dredging on the fairway and the strengthening of the piers, it will be able to receive large-capacity ships. A military source stated that in Tartus full swing work is underway to clear and deepen the port fairway. For these purposes, in particular, the KIL-158 vessel of the Black Sea Fleet was previously involved. Currently, work is underway to strengthen the floating berths, and part of the port infrastructure is being updated.
In October 2016, the Russian Defense Ministry began preparing documents that would allow the creation of a permanent naval base in Syrian Tartus. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said he "welcomes the expansion of the Russian presence in the Eastern Mediterranean". On December 23, 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an Order on signing an Agreement between Russia and Syria on expanding the territory of the Russian Navy's support point in the area of the port of Tartus and the entry of Russian warships into the territorial sea of Syria. On December 13, 2017, the draft on the ratification of the Agreement between Russia and Syria, which provides for the expansion of the territory of the logistics center for the fleet in Tartus, was submitted to the State Duma, in December the law was adopted by the State Duma and approved by the Federation Council. On December 29, 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the federal law"On the ratification of the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Syrian Arab Republic on the expansion of the territory of the logistics center of the Navy Russian Federation in the area of the port of Tartus and the entry of warships of the Russian Federation into the territorial sea, inland waters and ports of the Syrian Arab Republic. Under the terms of the agreement, the Navy's PMTO in Tartus is transferred to the Russian Federation for free use, receiving full immunity from the civil and administrative jurisdiction of Syria. The maximum number of warships of the Russian Federation that are allowed to simultaneously stay at the point is 11 units, including warships with a nuclear power plant. The agreement is designed for 49 years and is automatically renewed for another 25.
In July 2017, a naval parade was held on the territory of the checkpoint for the first time in honor of
About the naval base of the Russian Federation in the Syrian Tartus. The document signed in Damascus on January 18, 2017 serves to mutually strengthen the defense capabilities of the parties. It regulates the expansion of the territory of the point of logistics (PMTO) Russian Navy in the area of the port of Tartus, calls of warships of the Russian Federation into the territorial sea, inland waters and ports of the SAR.
Syria transfers to the Russian side for free use for the entire duration of the agreement land and water areas in the area of the port of Tartus, as well as real estate. The agreement defines the procedure for registration and movement of vehicles, military equipment, the use of weapons, the use of communications and electronic warfare. Personnel, crew members, as well as movable and immovable property of the logistics center acquire special privileges and immunities.The document creates the international legal basis for a long-term Russian naval presence in the region. Valid for 49 years with the possibility of automatic renewal for 25-year periods.
How much does Russia need a naval base in Syria, and how will it affect the military-political situation in the Middle East region and the Mediterranean?
Goodwill and legitimate power
Two years ago, Russia launched an air operation in Syria at the request of the legitimate government. It presented the world community with legitimate powers and military means, immediate and long-term goals. Subsequently, the Aerospace Forces and the Navy used conventional (conventional) weapons in Syria and did not violate a single principle international law. Overcoming the resistance of the American coalition, Russia by military means defended the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a friendly Middle Eastern state, in fact, changed history.
And she stayed in the region to project goodwill, which is backed up by legitimate force.
Defending Syrian independence, Russia for the first time and very effectively used missile weapons against ISIS and other terrorist groups banned in the Russian Federation. Navy. Increasing the combat interaction of the Aerospace Forces and the Navy, in the fall of 2016, the Russian Ministry of Defense quite naturally came to the need to expand the infrastructure of the Navy in Syria.
On Tuesday, December 26, 2017, Russia received broad powers and unlimited possibilities for the development of naval infrastructure in the port of Tartus. After modernization, the Russian base will be able to receive ships of the first rank, including nuclear cruisers and submarines. Of course, Russia's permanent naval presence is not an end in itself, but an instrument of geopolitical influence in the Middle East and the Mediterranean.Military cooperation between Moscow and Damascus began with the emergence of the Syrian state. In the 1970s, over 75% of the weapons in the Syrian army were Soviet. At the same time, they formed a permanent Mediterranean squadron and created a logistics center for the Soviet Navy in Tartus.
Reference points in the oceans
Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the possible return of military bases to Cuba and Vietnam, and information appeared about Russia's plans for the Sidi Barrani naval base in Egypt. Moscow is rethinking decisions to eliminate foreign military facilities, and explains this by negative changes in the international situation.
Against the background of the Russian peace-loving foreign policy Since the end of the last century, the United States and NATO have conducted a significant part of their military operations without UN sanction - in Serbia (1995 and 1999), Afghanistan (since 2001), Iraq (2003), Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia (2002). This is not counting the dubious military operations with the permission of the UN - in Iraq (1991), Somalia (1993) and Libya (2011). Refined peacefulness in modern world does not work. How can one not recall here that the Soviet (Russian) military bases previously maintained geopolitical stability in different points peace.
The main Soviet, and then the most important Russian foreign electronic intelligence center operated in Cuban Lourdes. In Cam Ranh, Vietnam, until 2002, there was a large Soviet and Russian naval base, which was modestly called a logistics center. Russia liquidated these bases, and earlier withdrew troops from Eastern Europe. In return, she received NATO bases in Romania and Bulgaria, an American missile defense positioning area in Poland and the Czech Republic, and forward battalions of the alliance in the Baltic countries. No, it is no coincidence that Moscow initiated negotiations with Vietnam and Cuba on basing the Russian Navy in Cam Ranh and resuming the work of the center in Lourdes.
The site in Cam Ranh allows Russia to effectively project force in the Indian and southern parts Pacific Oceans. The deep-water, storm-protected Cam Ranh Bay has strategic importance replenishment (repair) of warships on routes between the Russian Far East and the Gulf of Aden. The presence of Russian Il-78 tanker aircraft here (for refueling Tu-95 strategic bombers), the repair and maintenance of Russian submarines, and the simplified entry of Russian Navy ships to Cam Ranh are determined by an interstate agreement. At the same time, Russia is developing the Vietnamese infrastructure of a large international center provision of civilian ships and warships.The power of the equipment of the radio-electronic center in Cuban Lourdes (250 km from the American coast) made it possible, since 1967, to conduct effective radio reconnaissance throughout the entire depth of the United States. In the early 1990s, up to one and a half thousand Russian military personnel performed tasks here. Today, there is a Cuban university in Lourdes, which trains computer scientists. If necessary, this abundance of personnel will allow the Russian Ministry of Defense to quickly create a new center here.
Russia is also in talks with Egypt to lease military installations in the coastal town of Sidi Barrani, 95 kilometers from the Libyan border. Soviet Navy used this base until 1972 to monitor the US Navy. The revival - in the format of a PMT and an air base - will take place no earlier than 2019, and will certainly help in solving the geopolitical problems of the Middle East and North Africa.
Russia is returning to big geopolitics.
And foreign military bases ensure the security of the main sea communications, increase the combat stability of the Navy, bring missile weapons closer to the strategic objects (territories) of a potential enemy, and make potentially dangerous directions and crisis regions accessible.
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (formerly the USSR) have been occupying the Tartus base since 1971. Syria has been and remains a strategic partner in Central Asia. The number of personnel at the facility was initially 50 people, but since 2016 it has more than 1,700 units. A military facility in the city is being used as a logistics point
History of creation
Tartus (Syria) occupies an advantageous position in Central Asia. On the basis of the RF Armed Forces, ships with combat support located in the Mediterranean Sea can be serviced. is an hour away by car, which allows the Russians to keep in touch and provide support to the main forces of the country.
Recent events in the country prompted the government of the Russian Federation to additionally deploy aviation at the Khmeimim airfield. Warships are constantly on duty off the coast of Syria in the Mediterranean Sea. The defense of equipment and personnel is carried out by the Marine Corps.
What is the city famous for?
Tartus (Syria) is a historical city with a huge number of buildings from the time of the Phoenicians. There is the famous Church of Our Lady of Tartu on the island of Arvad. Inside there is an ancient altar, which is of interest to pilgrims from all over the world.
The island is located at a distance of 3 kilometers from the coastal part of the country. The Templars managed to hide on it from the Muslims for three years. Now it houses a museum, an Arab castle and the ruins of a Phoenician wall.
The ancient buildings were modified by the Muslims, and later strengthened by the Templars. At every step, the city is filled with monuments of a thousand years ago. The famous Crusader fortress of Markab has been restored and is located nearby.
The purpose of creating a logistics point
Russian in Syria (Tartus) is the only one in the region. Warships on permanent duty can perform command tasks in a timely manner. All destroyed piers were restored by the joint efforts of friendly countries.
The Russian Navy can use the base for the following purposes:
- Replenish food supplies.
- Repair ships.
- Bring supplies on board.
- Unload objects of strategic importance to carry out military tasks in the military conflicts of the city of Aleppo.
At the invitation of the incumbent - Assad - the Russian Navy carries out the protection of stability in the region. The restoration of the base continues to this day, a decision was made to form the Mediterranean squadron of the Navy. The unit will be there permanently.
Tasks of the Russian Fleet
Tartus (Syria), where the naval base is of strategic importance, is a historically significant city. In addition, he acts as an outpost in the struggle for world order throughout the eastern region. The maintenance of peace and the interests of the country cannot be carried out without the powerful support of the fleet. The warships carry missiles capable of hitting targets within a radius of more than 1,000 km.
Tartus (Syria) can receive battle cruisers and aircraft carriers. The latter protect shipping in an area where attacks are constantly taking place. Somali pirates.
Thus, the city of Tartus (Syria) is quite significant in terms of strategy. The Navy base, which is being restored in 2016, has the following tasks:
- anti-terrorist struggle;
- maintaining stability in the maritime zone;
- air defense;
- anti-sabotage protection of Russian property;
- regaining influence in the political arena.
Conflict in the Middle East
The Tartus base in Syria helps to pursue the interests of the Russian Federation. The expeditionary corps of the Russian army has long been stationed in the cities of the country, waiting for an order from the command to begin supporting government forces, while the local military is coping with terrorist formations supplied by the West: America, Great Britain - NATO members.
There is no open military confrontation between the powers, everything is decided on the territory of a small state. Russia does not intend to cede the region and will show all its capabilities in order to stop the lawlessness of gangs. The task of the troops present is to support the current government and to help restore stability in the Middle East.
The Russian military is stationed in the city of Latakia, whose support comes through the port of Tartus. The positions were strengthened so firmly that a decision was made to restore the shipyard. In the future, the return of the aircraft to positions will be achieved former USSR, which is far from to the liking of Western colleagues.
Role in geopolitics
Tartus (Syria) on the world map is important in terms of the balance of power in the region. For Russia, the city becomes an assistant in the geopolitical confrontation with the West. In addition to this region, the RF Armed Forces are planning to regain their presence in Egypt, Vietnam, and Cuba. These measures will help restore radar reconnaissance capabilities.
The return to military cooperation with Syria provides an opportunity to support Iran. Through the territory of Assad passes the transportation of military specialists, weapons and material support to Libya, where a Shiite group is being formed.
By restoring its presence in the Middle East, Russia is trying to raise its role in the political arena. After the events in Ukraine, measures to save Bashar al-Assad are more aimed at strengthening their positions. The conflict may at any moment escalate into the Third world war but try not to think about it.
Submitted for ratification to the State Duma an agreement with Syria on the transformation of the 720th logistics point (PMTO) of the Navy in the Syrian port of Tartus into a full-fledged naval base. The first for our sailors abroad. In addition, it is located in one of the most sensitive regions of the world for Moscow - the eastern Mediterranean, from where, as it has long been calculated, it is very easy for the ships of the 6th Fleet of the US Navy to keep almost the entire European part of the Russian Federation under the threat of shelling with high-precision Tomahawk missiles.
There is no doubt that the State Duma, putting aside any other matters, will stamp Putin's decision almost instantly. Ratification is expected before the end of this year. Naturally, everything has long been predetermined in the Federation Council. Why such urgency?
Firstly, the fact is that even without any parliamentary approval, our military in Tartus is already working as if they had been ordered to create a naval base for a long time. Since last spring, large-scale design and survey work has been carried out, the bottom is being deepened, old quay walls are being strengthened and new ones are being built, a pipeline for supplying fuel and fresh water, electric cables for reliable supply of surface ships and submarines. What is especially important: the temporary defensive structures, which since 2015 have been covering the approaches to the Russian PMTO, are turning into long-term ones before our eyes. Simply put, sandbags with loopholes between them and trenches are replaced with strong concrete walls and armored caps. Because our military intends to stay here for decades. At least for 49 years, for which the agreement between Moscow and Damascus is calculated.
The intergovernmental document, signed on January 18 this year, provides for the expansion of the territory of the PMTO and the entry of ships of the Russian Navy into the territorial sea, internal waters and ports of the Arab Republic. At the same time, the document provides for the simultaneous stay in the Syrian port of up to 11 Russian warships, including those equipped with a nuclear power plant. This is more than the entire current composition of the permanent task force of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean.
Secondly, in the Ministry of Defense and in General Staff The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have long existed not even one, but several options for arranging a full-fledged naval base in Syria. Because for the first time we discussed this possibility with the Syrians back in 1979. However, at that time it was assumed that the base would not be deployed in Tartus at all, but several tens of kilometers to the north - in the Latakia-Benias region. This choice was dictated by the proximity to the port of the Tifor military airfield, chosen by the Soviet fleet. This would greatly ease the problems of organizing fighter cover and air support for the base.
The military-political situation of those years in the Mediterranean strongly dictated to the Soviet leadership the need for such a step. In the region there was an acute confrontation between our 5th operational squadron and the US 6th Fleet. But in one thing the forces were clearly not equal. The Americans had (and still have!) many bases along the entire coast there. Their crews regularly rested somewhere in Italy, Greece or Spain, the ships were systematically repaired and replenished there. Ours had to stand for months on the high seas in a few anchorage points, knocking out motor resources, consuming fuel and exhausting our own personnel.
It happened that campaigns lasted for a year without a single call at the ports. As, for example, for very small rescue ships of the Black Sea Fleet SS-21 and SS-26. As part of the 5th squadron, they constantly changed each other. There was no one else. While one is being repaired between cruises in Sevastopol or working out coursework, the other is anchored somewhere near Tunisia. Since leaving the squadron for a month or two without rescuers at all was risky. Then another shift.
It was off the coast of Tunisia, at the anchorage point No. 3 in the Gulf of Hammamet, by the way, that I stepped onto the deck of the SS-21 in 1979. And witnessed at least officers the ship, by that time "finishing off" the eleventh month of an uninterrupted campaign, was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
Another glaring problem in the service of our squadron in the Mediterranean in those years was the complete absence of fighter cover. Everyone on her ships knew that in the event of a real war and massive missile and bomb strikes against us by the United States and its allies from NATO aircraft carriers and coastal airfields, Soviet surface ships would live in a matter of hours. And the only question was which of the enemies and in what quantity the Soviet squadron would have time to take with them to sea bottom.
The appearance of a mobile base point in Tartus in 1971 had practically no effect on the situation. A tiny patch of Syrian land (only 2.3 hectares), given by Damascus to our disposal, allowed us to have only a couple of floating moorings on it. On the shore stood an administrative building, a barracks, several workshops and small warehouses. Everything. Even refueling individual ships proved to be a problem here.
In 1974, as an experiment, the squadron headquarters sent the reconnaissance ship "Krym" to Tartus for the first time to replenish supplies. Some 300 tons of fuel were to be taken on board. The operation, which the Syrians undertook, took two days, since there was no pipeline in the PMTO, and then no one allowed us to build it. Fuel for the "Crimea" had to be transported from a fuel storage facility located far outside the city. The local private company that hired the tank trucks billed the Soviet side such a bill that its services turned out to be more expensive than the fuel itself. The ships of the squadron did not enter the PMTO with similar goals anymore.
In a word, we have never had and still don't have any real naval base in the Mediterranean. But without our own military bases, it was impossible to radically change the situation in the region in our favor. Although Moscow constantly made attempts. Until 1977, our ships were, for example, in the Egyptian ports of Alexandria, Port Said and Mersa Matruh. But since 1972 President Anwar Sadat suddenly sharply changed the foreign policy priorities of his country and took a course towards rapprochement with the United States. We had to leave his country.
The idea was discussed to organize regular calls of the ships of the Mediterranean squadron to the Yugoslav Dubrovnik. There were rumors that one or two hotels would be rented there, where the families of our sailors would be delivered by passenger planes from the USSR for a couple of weeks for a good rest. Nothing came of it.
Even then, Syria seemed to Moscow almost the only real option. At that time, the country was ruled by the father of its current president Bashar al-Assad — Hafiz Assad. In the late 70s, he agreed to place Soviet fleet on its territory, but only in exchange for extremely preferential and colossal supplies of weapons to its army and direct military support from the Soviet Union in the event of an attack by Israel or Iraq. On October 9, 1980, a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation was concluded between the USSR and Syria, one of its clauses read: "If a third party invades the territory of Syria, the Soviet Union will be involved in the events."
In February 1981, a representative Soviet military delegation headed by First Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the USSR Navy, Admiral Nikolai Smirnov. And once again convinced of the correctness of the choice made. Then, in 1983, the first agreement was born between Moscow and Damascus on the deployment of a significant contingent of our troops in this country.
The document provided for the mobile basing point in Tartus to be significantly expanded and converted into a PMTO. To cover it, place a full-blooded anti-aircraft missile regiment of the USSR Air Defense Forces next to it, and then deploy it into a brigade. To land a mixed air regiment of the Air Force of the Black Sea Fleet at the Tifor airfield.
In total, 6 thousand were to be deployed in Syria. Soviet soldiers and officers. But their status was not fully understood, since Damascus agreed to the creation of a real military base didn't give us. Most likely, the power of Hafez Assad looked strong enough, and the threat from Israel no longer seemed so obvious to Damascus.
Only a few of the above have been achieved. Since 1985, Tu-16R aircraft of the 30th reconnaissance regiment of the Air Force of the Black Sea Fleet began to fly regularly from Tifor in search of American aircraft carrier strike formations. The PMTO in Tartus has become much more actively used by our sailors. In the mid-80s, up to 7 Soviet diesel submarines and up to 8 large surface ships that were part of the operational squadron were repaired here annually.
Everything collapsed at the beginning of the next decade, along with Soviet Union. The 5th operational squadron was gone, and our PMTO in Tartus quickly fell into disrepair. But everything began to change rapidly when a new trouble rolled into Syria - gangs of Islamic extremists. Damascus immediately lost its former ambition, became much more accommodating, and began to consider the idea of creating within its borders a full-blooded now Russian naval base as a very good option. Moreover, long before September 2015, when the operation of the Russian Aerospace Forces to defeat the ISIS bandit formations began *.
This became apparent in August 2010, when the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy at that time Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky suddenly announced to many: “Tartus will develop first as a base point, and then as a fleet base. The first stage of development and modernization will be completed in 2012”. At the same time, the engineering additional equipment of the PMTO was started, the long-sunken floating berth was raised from the bottom, and dredging work began. All this has accelerated significantly since Russia's entry into the war in Syria.
What will we get now that the long awaited Russian naval base at Tartus finally arrives? So far, the full composition of the forces that will be deployed here is unknown. In particular, the size of the Russian military contingent. However, something is already clear.
First of all, in the eastern Mediterranean, hundreds of miles from the coast, the so-called (in American military terminology) “access restriction / blocking system (A2 / AD)” will finally take shape for the 6th Fleet of the US Navy for decades. Its contours are outlined not only by the extensive boundaries of the zones of destruction of our Bastion high-precision anti-ship cruise missile systems already deployed in Syria (firing range up to 300 kilometers). The presence of the Khmeimim airfield not far from Tartus, which remains at the full disposal of the Russian Federation, greatly increases the combat capabilities of the Russian group in search, detection and destruction of any Tomahawk carriers - from missile destroyers to enemy nuclear submarines. It turns out that the area of positional areas of the 6th fleet of the US Navy for a hypothetical strike on Russian territory hence greatly reduced. This means that such a blow, which has been for decades nightmare Moscow, easier to prevent. Including the forces of naval formations of the Russian Navy.
It is clear that the combat stability of these formations themselves increases many times over due to the appearance of a fighter cover over our ships that has never existed before in these waters.
Further. The already quite powerful air defense system of Tartus and Khmeimim, including the famous S-400 and S-300VM anti-aircraft missile systems, can be built up almost instantly. New berths, as already mentioned, will allow a significant number of large warships to be kept in the port for a long time. Suppose, such as the heavy nuclear missile cruiser "Peter the Great" or the missile cruisers "Marshal Ustinov" and "Moskva". The S-300F Fort air defense systems mounted on them have a far boundary of the affected area up to 200 kilometers. What will serve as an excellent addition to those air defense systems that are already on the shore. And make it nearly impossible to hit Russian bases means of enemy air attack.
All this together deprives the Americans and their allies of any peace, over the past quarter century accustomed to reign supreme in the strategically very important Mediterranean Sea. They will no doubt try to reverse the course of events. The most obvious is to destabilize the Assad regime. Well, even the presence in this country of a Russian naval base in the hands of Moscow should become an additional reliable means to prevent such a development of events.
* "Islamic State" by the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of December 29, 2014 was recognized as a terrorist organization, its activities in Russia are prohibited.
TASS-DOSIER /Valery Korneev/. On October 10, 2016, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Nikolai Pankov announced Russia's intention to permanently establish a Russian Navy base in the Syrian Mediterranean port of Tartus.
It will be created on the basis of the 720th logistics support point (PMTO) of the Russian Navy. Tartus is located 160 km northwest of Damascus, PMTO occupies the northern part of the port.
An intergovernmental agreement between the Soviet Union and the Syrian Arab Republic on the basing of objects of the USSR Navy in Tartus was signed in 1971. The base was created to repair, supply fuel and consumables to ships and vessels of the 5th operational (Mediterranean) squadron of ships of the USSR Navy (1967-1992 gg.). The main potential enemy of this squadron in the years cold war was the 6th operational fleet Naval Forces(Navy) of the United States, whose headquarters was located in the Italian Gaeta (in 2004 moved to Naples).
In 1977, by agreement with the Syrian authorities, the Soviet 54th operational brigade of auxiliary vessels was relocated to Tartus from the Egyptian ports of Alexandria and Mersa Matruh. This was done after Egyptian President Anwar Sadat changed the priorities of Egyptian foreign policy, curtailing military cooperation with the Soviet Union and starting an active rapprochement with the United States. In April of the same year, the Directorate of the 229th Division of Marine and Road Support Vessels was formed in Tartus, which was subordinate to the commander of the Black Sea Fleet Support Vessel Brigade.
By decision of the Politburo of May 12, 1983, during 1984, the 720th logistics support point of the Black Sea Fleet was deployed in Tartus, which was subordinate to the Deputy Commander of the Black Sea Fleet for logistics. The structure of the point included three floating berths PM-61MM, a floating workshop (changed every six months), storage facilities, barracks and various utility facilities.
State after the collapse of the USSR
On December 31, 1992, the Mediterranean squadron ceased to exist (by that time - the 5th operational flotilla). At the same time, Russia retained the 720th PMTO, which in 1992-2007. was used to replenish fuel and food supplies on the ships of the Russian Navy, performing one-time trips in the Mediterranean Sea.
On August 21, 2008, during the talks between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Sochi, the issue of the state of the PMTO in Tartus was discussed, where by that time only one of the floating berths was operating.
In September of the same year, another floating berth was restored by the crew of the auxiliary vessel KIL-158 of the Black Sea Fleet. In 2009-2010 planned repairs of infrastructure facilities were carried out.
"Syrian Express" and the operation of the RF Armed Forces
After the outbreak of the armed conflict in Syria in 2011, Russia continued to provide military assistance to this country within the framework of previously concluded contracts for military-technical cooperation.
In June 2012, the PMTO in Tartus began to be used for the supply of Russian weapons and military cargo to Syria - first under the 2006-2007 package of agreements, then in the order military aid the government of Syria.
On September 22, 2013, the Mediterranean squadron of the Russian Navy was created, the composition of which changes on a rotational basis (ships and vessels of the Pacific, Northern, Baltic and Black Sea Fleet). The issues of repair and maintenance of this operational unit of the Ministry of Defense were assigned to the Tartu PMTO, a decision was made on its further modernization.
After on September 30, 2015, at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Russia launched an operation of the Aerospace Forces in Syria against the terrorist groups "Islamic State" and "Dzhebhat al-Nusra" banned in the Russian Federation, the Russian military group is being supplied through Tartus. Transportation of goods is carried out by large landing ships and auxiliary ships of the Navy through the Black Sea straits (the so-called "Syrian Express").
In the autumn of 2015, the Russian side carried out dredging and expansion of the berthing front of the 720th PMTO in Tartus. On October 4, 2016, the official representative of the Ministry of Defense, Igor Konashenkov, told reporters that the "naval base in Tartus" and the ships of the Mediterranean squadron located in the coastal zone will be covered from the air by the battery of the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system delivered to Syria.
