Bid for naval dominance: Russia significantly boosts nuclear fleet

RT -

Russia’s navy will be reinforced with 51 modern warships and 24 submarines, including eight fitted to carry nuclear missiles, by 2020.

Over $140 billion will be spent on realizing the “potential of the sea-based nuclear force,” Vladimir Putin said.

To maintain Russia’s place as a leading sea power Russia will allocate over 4.5 trillion rubles to build the vessels over the next eight years.

Putin has emphasized that almost all orders will go to Russian industry, with all 24 submarines and 49 of the ships being built at domestic shipyards.

"We have a sufficient potential of a sea-based nuclear force,” Putin said. “And by 2020, it will be considerably improved by eight Borei-class new-generation missile-carrying submarines."

Russia’s navy has always been and remains one of the main tools of “protecting national economic interests,” Putin said, adding that it has a particular importance in such resource-rich regions as the Arctic.

He expressed the hope that missile-equipped nuclear submarines will become the heart and cornerstone of the Russian Navy.

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