Although Vladimir Putin announced a new naval doctrine set to boost Russia’s maritime presence, the Russian navy will struggle to compete with the US and NATO fleets, an analyst has told Al Jazeera.
“The Russian navy, surface navy at least, is outnumbered four to one by NATO European members alone and by far more by the American navy – so in terms of numbers, there is no contest,” said Anatol Lieven, senior research fellow on Russia and Europe at the Quincy Institute of Responsible Statecraft.
“Where Russia is equal to the US is in nuclear weapons, which is why President Putin repeatedly emphasises Russia’s missile technology because this is the one area in which Russia is still a superpower,” he added.
“The Russian navy has always been considered to have had a relatively high morale and good commanders, but it cannot realistically fight NATO … The only area where the navy is actually in action is in the Black Sea and Russia cannot reinforce the navy in the Black Sea.”
Russian navy will struggle to compete with US and NATO fleets: Expert
Although Vladimir Putin announced a new naval doctrine set to boost Russia’s maritime presence, the Russian navy will struggle to compete with the US and NATO fleets, an analyst has told Al Jazeera.
“The Russian navy, surface navy at least, is outnumbered four to one by NATO European members alone and by far more by the American navy – so in terms of numbers, there is no contest,” said Anatol Lieven, senior research fellow on Russia and Europe at the Quincy Institute of Responsible Statecraft.
“Where Russia is equal to the US is in nuclear weapons, which is why President Putin repeatedly emphasises Russia’s missile technology because this is the one area in which Russia is still a superpower,” he added.
“The Russian navy has always been considered to have had a relatively high morale and good commanders, but it cannot realistically fight NATO … The only area where the navy is actually in action is in the Black Sea and Russia cannot reinforce the navy in the Black Sea.”
Source:
