Warships Head to Mediterranean in Russian Show of Strength

Russia has dispatched an 11-ship aircraft carrier group to the Mediterranean Sea as a first step towards re-establishing a naval presence in the region.

The manoeuvres are part of an effort to resume regular Russian naval patrols around the world, according to the Russian defense minister, Anatoly Serdyukov.

The Mediterranean fleet includes one aircraft carrier, two anti-submarine ships and a guided missile cruiser, Serdyukov said, at a meeting at the Kremlin with President Vladimir Putin.

The ships would conduct three tactical exercises with real and simulated launches of sea- and air-based missiles and make nearly a dozen port calls, he added.

"The expedition is aimed at ensuring a naval presence and establishing conditions for secure Russian navigation," said Serdyukov.

The naval expedition is the latest effort by president Putin to breathe new life into Russia's armed forces. Earlier this year, he ordered the resumption of regular long-range flights of strategic bombers.

The manoeuvres also follow calls by Russian naval chief Admiral Vladimir Masorin earlier this year for the country to restore a permanent presence in the Mediterranean.

Soviet navy ships used to be based at the Syrian port of Tartus. Russia still maintains a technical base there to serve its military vessels that regularly go into the Mediterranean.