The recent appearance of a group of Russian warships
in the Coral Sea near Australia not only came as a surprise to most people but
it also signifies that the Russian Pacific Fleet still is a player to be
recognized in this area.
The Russian task force comprised the missile cruiser Varyag, the destroyer
Marshal Shaposhnikov, the tanker Boris Butoma and the fleet tug Foty Krylov.
In itself, this task force seems small but the
Varyag missile cruiser packs enough firepower to engage and win a battle
against an carrier task group. By sending a large and powerful ship, the
Russians are making a keen political statement aimed at Australia.
 |
| Russia's Missile cruiser Varyag |
Given the fact that Australian prime minister
Tony Abbott threatened to confront his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over
the MH17 plane attack a couple of weeks before the summit, the appearance of
this Russian task force, just days before a G20 summit in Australia sends a powerful
message. It tells Australia that, given Russia’s military might, annoying the
Kremlin too much could result in a Russian naval presence that has an impact on
Australia’s security.
At the same time Russia is sending also a
message to the rest of the world, namely that it still is a military power in
the Pacific to be recognized with. Although the Russian Pacific Fleet cannot
match the strength of the Chinese fleet or the US Pacific Fleet it is still a
capable force. As the Russian navy is expanding it is also trying to expand its
Pacific Fleet. New ballistic missile submarines of the Borei class will be
stationed in the Pacific, being able to deter both China and the United States
whilst operating from their naval base at the Kamchatka Peninsula. Also the first
of Russia’s Mistral class amphibious warships are planned to serve in the
Pacific Ocean.
Taking on a secondary place in the Pacific,
Russia finds itself in the same position as Japan, South Korea and Australia.
All these countries have a decent navy but none of them are powerful enough to
confront the Chinese or the Americans on their own.
Russia’s assertive use of military means to
bolster its political position will mean that these incidents will only occur
more frequent. We can expect that within the coming years we will see more
Russian military maneuvers with warships operating deeper in the Pacific.
