Russia Begins Expansion of its Syrian Naval Facilities

Russia's Defense Ministry has begun work upgrading its Syrian naval bases in Tartus and Khmeimim. With the defeat of Islamic State, and with Russia's major role both in preventing Western military intervention against the Syrian government and in defeating Western and Arab backed Islamist insurgent in the country, Damascus has agreed to host Russian forces for at least 49 more years. With the security situation in Syria still fragile, and with the Western bloc, Turkey and several Arab states still seeking regime change in the country, such a deployment is seen as a welcome asset to ensure Syria's security.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced the formation of a permanent military force to be deployed to Tartus and Hmeymim, stating: "Last week, the supreme commander-in-chief approved the structure and staff of the main bases in Tartus and Hmeymim. We've started forming a permanent group there." Shoigu stated that 59.5% of weapons deployed were among Russia's most modern, while the serviceability of weapons deployed were at 94%. Hmeymim's air defenses include the S-400 and S-300V long range SAM systems. Bastion coastal missile systems with cruise missiles are meanwhile deployed to protect the naval base at Tartus.

Russia's foreign military bases remain few in number, and following the closure of facilities in Cuba and Vietnam the installations in Syria remain the most strategically critical. Khmeimim Airbase, located near Latakia province, and the Tartus Naval Base were both provided to Russia for 49 years lease free. Russia's Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu stated in regards to the development: “We have started the process of formation of our permanent forces." This came shortly after Russian President Putin's visit to Syria and call for a withdrawal of the units deployed to temporarily to the country. A critical part of this permanent force set to remain are Russia's air defense systems, as with Western aircraft still flying regular sorties in Syrian airspace the country's military would be extremely vulnerable without them. The country's domestic air defenses and air force are set to be gradually built with Russian assistance in the interim.

Russia's military base in Tartus has been operational since the 1970s, though it was initially a small facility meant for resupplying Soviet ships - officially called a “material-technical support point” rather than a genuine Naval base. The facility was not suited to dock or maintain larger warships. With Russia's Navy intending to expand the facility, Tartus will host up to 11 Russian warships including nuclear powered warships. While Russia's Navy currently fields only a single nuclear powered surface vessel, the large ‘Pyotr Velikiy’ battleship, more nuclear propelled warships are set to enter service in future.