ST. PETERSBURG. Dec 2 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Navy needs to receive at least ten supply vessels a year for full-fledged functioning of vessels in the ocean zone, a source in the shipbuilding industry told Interfax-AVN on Friday.
"The Russian fleet is now short of all types of supply vessels, especially those intended for actions in the far-range sea and ocean zones. The construction of vessels of this class is now delayed," the source said.
The source said the Russian Navy will need even more intensive renewal of its supply vessels fleet because vessels built under the Soviets will be withdrawal from operation in the coming decade. In 2021-2030, the fleet will need to build over 100 supply vessels in a period of ten years.
The source said the main problems with the construction of supply vessel are caused by the need to import machinery and equipment, including deep-water equipment and navigation and communications systems.