Russia has sent two newly-upgraded submarines to the Mediterranean in a move to reinforce naval presence in the region, AFP reported.
“The Black Sea fleet’s new large diesel and electric submarines, Kolpino and Veliky Novgorod… have arrived in the Mediterranean,” the defense ministry said in a statement.
The stealth submarines have a speed of 20 knots and have been fitted with “new navigation systems, fully automatized control systems, high-precision missiles, and powerful torpedo equipment,” according to the defense ministry.
Russia operates a naval base in Tartus, Syria, located on the eastern Mediterranean. Russian forces operating out of Tartus have played a prominent role in a military campaign assisting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
