Special to WorldTribune.com

MOSCOW — Russia has been examining the expansion of its new task
force in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Russian Navy said its Mediterranean task force could reach six
warships in 2013. The Navy said it could contribute one or more nuclear
submarines in operations near Syria.

“Depending on the scope of assignments and their complexity, the number
of warships in the task force may be increased,” Russian Navy chief Adm.
Viktor Chirkov said.

On May 12, Chirkov said the Mediterranean task force consisted of up to
six warships as well as support vessels. He said the force would be
augmented from other fleets, including the Black Sea, Baltic and Northern.

In an interview with the state-owned RIA-Novosti, Chirkov did not rule
out the deployment of nuclear submarines in the Mediterranean. The commander
said the deployment would depend on requirements of the task force, meant to
protect Russian interests in the region.

“Everything will depend on the situation,” Chirkov said.

The Navy said the headquarters of the Mediterranean task force would be
established in the summer of 2013. Chirkov said the headquarters would also
oversee training of officers assigned permanently to the region.

“The headquarters will be established in the summer of this year, and
its officers will stay aboard one of the flagships in the Mediterranean
Sea,” Chirkov said.

  Adm. Viktor Chirkov, Baltic Fleet, Black Sea fleet, Moscow weighs expanding naval presence in the Mediterranean