By the end of the year, the State Duma will ratify an agreement with Syria on increasing the size of the Tartus logistics center. The document was introduced by our president. Experts are sure it's all leading to the creation of a full-scale naval base in the Eastern Mediterranean.
This Monday, Putin ordered the withdrawal of our troops from the Syrian Arab Republic. Two Russian military bases are going to remain there permanently: Tartus and Khmeimim. "Just in case the terrorists raise their head again," said Putin.
The Tartus logistics station has existed since 1971. It's located in the northern part of the local port and covers around 20% of its area. It was initially built for maintaining, refueling, and supplying the Mediterranean squadron of the Soviet Navy. The station never had a chance to become a full-scale naval base. It was basically a berthing place.
Years later, the station was supplying Russian voyages across the Mediterranean. Over the years, the number of berthing floats decreased. And the staff was reduced to just four officers.
In 2008, we started rebuilding the infrastructure. The Russian troops in Syria were supplied through Tartus. In August, the amount of the transported freight was estimated at 100,000 tons per months.
Overestimating the strategic value of Tartus is hard. Not just in the context of the Syrian operation. The movements of two American fleets can be monitored from Tartus: the Fifth with its bases in Bahrain and the Sixth in Naples. US ships equipped with the Aegis system and long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles often traverse the Black Sea. It would be more logical to contain them in the Mediterranean.
Another task of the new base is fighting terrorism across the Middle East and pirates that operate in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Viktor Murakhovsky, editor-in-chief of Arsenal Otechestva: "Let's not forget that all the countries in the northern Mediterranean are members of NATO. From Turkey in the east to Spain in the west. 250-260 kilometers from Tartus, on the island of Cyprus, there's a British naval and air base in Akrotiri and Dhekelia. Moreover, not far from Tartus, not far in terms of sailing, of course, is the Suez Canal. That's a major trade artery, whose security means a lot for Russia and all other naval powers".
The agreement with Syria will last 49 years. According to its terms, Tartus will be able to house 11 Russian ships, including nuclear-powered ones, simultaneously. Obviously, maintenance capabilities will be enhanced. Warehouses, living quarters, and administrative buildings will be built.
Experts also point out the necessity for building new docking facilities for vessels over 10,000 tons and for dredging the fairway.
Currently, the largest combat ships of first and second rank have no opportunity to enter the Tartus port. It's too shallow. The mean depth here is 10 to 5 meters. The draught of the capital ship of the Black Sea fleet, the missile cruiser Moskva, is more than 8 meters. Maintaining and refueling the vessels at the outer anchorage is difficult. Besides, this way they are more vulnerable. In regards to the likelihood of storms, Tartus waters are quite calm. The toughest season, if the word "tough" can be used here, is winter. In the period between December and January, wind speeds that exceed 15 m/s have been observed to occur 2-3 times a month. Stronger storms are extremely rare.
According to experts' estimates, at the most, the number of military personnel in Tartus will reach 2 or 3 thousand.
Not everyone will like Russia's decision, because it's a clear signal: we're back in the Middle East for a good long while.
Viktor Murakhovsky: "If we're speaking about our partners, like Egypt, Syria, of course, Algeria, and so on, they'll react positively, because it limits the 'opportunities' of those countries that have already 'fiddled' with the region, to use the mildest term".
Salim Assad Ali, political analyst: "I think the base will guarantee security in Syria and the whole Middle East. It will put an end to obnoxious American behavior in the Middle East. We understand perfectly — politics is politics, but politics are only strong when backed by a strong army".
An important detail: The legal status of the base will protect the Russian military personnel stationed in Tartus in accordance with current international law.
