Russian Naval Activity in the Asia-Pacific: The Herald for a New Alliance?

摘要

The paper evaluates Russia's increased naval presence in the Asian-Pacific region, considering the naval interactions with China, India, Vietnam, the Philippines etc., an important component of Russia's national strategy and maritime policy in the region. By strengthening cooperation with the navies of these countries in different parts of the world, Moscow demonstrates its political preferences and military capabilities by checking the combat readiness of its own Navy, as well as modernizing its strategy and tactics, taking into account the modern experience of combat operations among the other fleets. It then presents a valuable opportunity for Russia to defend its national interests while remaining a non-aligned and predictable actor. By analyzing the dynamics, metrics and substance of Russia's naval activities, the author tries to clarify the strategic goals of the Russian and other countries' navies, and also to define some qualitative characteristics, such as the level of interaction between the Russian Navy and each of its partners, operational tasks of the exercises, etc. In addition, Russia's joint maneuvers not only maintain its status as a great maritime power and raises its international authority but also may serve as a balancing factor for the U.S. and Chinese navies to improve the security situation in the Asia-Pacific.