KASPIYSK (Dagestan). Aug 15 (Interfax-AVN) - A full-fledged naval base will be built in Kaspiysk, Russian Defense Minister Gen. of the Army Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday.
"Allow me to say that a modern naval base with proper engineering, navigation, hydrographic, logistic, and technical support systems is due to be built in Kaspiysk," Shoigu said at the Kaspiysk meeting on the Caspian Flotilla's deployment in Dagestan.
"The arrangement of maintenance and servicing of ships and vessels of the Caspian Flotilla at the new base with due account of the development of the region's shipyards" is high on the agenda, Shoigu said.
He noted that the decision to move the Caspian Flotilla from Astrakhan to Dagestan was made in 2017.
"The Kaspiysk bay is being surveyed for the purpose of improving the flotilla's basing, and facilities are being constructed in the port of Makhachkala. Buildings and structures are undergoing a major overhaul to accommodate the 177th marine regiment under formation this year. A training camp for the unit countering underwater sabotage is being equipped," Shoigu said.
"We should pay more attention to residential buildings, healthcare, and social services for servicemen and their families, as well as recreation," he said.
Acting Dagestan head Vladimir Vasilyev, and chiefs of several defense holdings took part in the meeting.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Caspian Flotilla will be fully moved from Astrakhan to Dagestan. Kaspiysk and Makhachkala will be its principal bases.