Russian battleship docks in Port Sudan for first time
Piers to accommodate four vessels, including nuclear submarines, will be built at the port. The Russian port in Sudan is another step in the implementation of the Russian naval strategy that was written by Putin in 2015
Cmdr. (res.) Eyal Pinko
| 11/03/2021
Screenshot from RIA Novosti's Telegram account
A number of days ago a Russian battleship arrived at Port Sudan for the first time, Russia's Interfax news agency reported. The arrival of the frigate Admiral Grigorovich was the first indication of the future establishment of a Russian naval base on the Red Sea. Russia and Sudan signed an agreement in October 2019 under which Russia will establish a port for its warships in the African country. The agreement is in effect for 25 years from the day of its signing, and includes the option of an extension.
Under the agreement, Russia will supply Sudan with arms and weapon systems, and help it set up a nuclear reactor for civilian needs. The Russian port that will be established in northern Port Sudan will include a logistics base for maintenance and supply of the vessels of the Russian fleet that will operate in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. Three hundred Russian navy personnel and civilians will be placed in the base to provide services to the vessels including maintenance of missiles and other weapon systems, engines and body repairs.
Piers to accommodate four vessels, including nuclear submarines, will be built at the port. The Russian port in Sudan is another step in the implementation of the Russian naval strategy that was written by Putin in 2015 and emphasizes the importance that Russia sees in Africa, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea.
The point for entering and exiting the Red Sea, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, is a bottleneck for the passage of merchandise and oil from Asia to Europe. Control of this bottleneck, also called a chokepoint, is a strategic issue for global actors operating in it such as China, the US, France, Germany, Britain and even Iran.
The new permanent Russian presence in the Red Sea arena is very significant for Russia, which seeks to return to being a naval power, operate in the seven seas and ensure superiority in the arena to secure Russia's freedom of navigation and supply chain.
The new presence involves demonstration of strategic power although it is reasonable to assume that it will not have a substantial military component, except perhaps to fight piracy that is growing in the region.
Piers to accommodate four vessels, including nuclear submarines, will be built at the port. The Russian port in Sudan is another step in the implementation of the Russian naval strategy that was written by Putin in 2015
Screenshot from RIA Novosti's Telegram account
A number of days ago a Russian battleship arrived at Port Sudan for the first time, Russia's Interfax news agency reported. The arrival of the frigate Admiral Grigorovich was the first indication of the future establishment of a Russian naval base on the Red Sea. Russia and Sudan signed an agreement in October 2019 under which Russia will establish a port for its warships in the African country. The agreement is in effect for 25 years from the day of its signing, and includes the option of an extension.
Under the agreement, Russia will supply Sudan with arms and weapon systems, and help it set up a nuclear reactor for civilian needs. The Russian port that will be established in northern Port Sudan will include a logistics base for maintenance and supply of the vessels of the Russian fleet that will operate in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. Three hundred Russian navy personnel and civilians will be placed in the base to provide services to the vessels including maintenance of missiles and other weapon systems, engines and body repairs.
Piers to accommodate four vessels, including nuclear submarines, will be built at the port. The Russian port in Sudan is another step in the implementation of the Russian naval strategy that was written by Putin in 2015 and emphasizes the importance that Russia sees in Africa, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea.
The point for entering and exiting the Red Sea, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, is a bottleneck for the passage of merchandise and oil from Asia to Europe. Control of this bottleneck, also called a chokepoint, is a strategic issue for global actors operating in it such as China, the US, France, Germany, Britain and even Iran.
The new permanent Russian presence in the Red Sea arena is very significant for Russia, which seeks to return to being a naval power, operate in the seven seas and ensure superiority in the arena to secure Russia's freedom of navigation and supply chain.
The new presence involves demonstration of strategic power although it is reasonable to assume that it will not have a substantial military component, except perhaps to fight piracy that is growing in the region.
