MOSCOW (AP) - The Russian navy plans to sail to the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean this year - voyages apparently aimed at demonstrating a revival of the nation's military power. Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov would not say when the voyages will take place or how many ships will be involved. "We aren't going to send armadas that we don't have and can't maintain," the Interfax-Military News Agency quoted Ivanov as saying after talks with his Portuguese counterpart, Paulo Portas. Russia's military presence in world oceans has dropped sharply since the Soviet collapse, with most warships languishing in port because of a lack of fuel and spare parts. The navy has scrapped some relatively new warships simply because it lacked money to maintain them. Under President Vladimir Putin, the military has tried to reassert its power, but is still plagued with troubles. "Recently, the Russian navy has become more active and started going out into the sea," Ivanov said.
| That is what navies are supposed to do. |
|