In the monthly magazine “Popular mechanics” June 30, an article was published by Robert Bateman entitled “Why we have conflicts with Russia in the air, not by sea?” Over the past few months has had a few conflicts at sea — for example, the confrontation between China and Iran. What about the Russian side? Russia not so often come into conflict. Some readers ask me why this is happening. Why are we only attacking from the air? Why Russian planes are concerned about foreign warships in the sea? As in many situations, the answer must be sought in history. However, speaking of Russian, it is enough to consider two factors: geographical position, and their distrust.
Few people know, but during the wars up to the completion conflicts often arise in the open sea. It often happens that actions at sea are very limited not only on the depth and force of the wind or sea currents, but also the routes in a particular area. Moreover, to find in the open sea of his enemy — no easy task. For this reason, some ships have no relation to what is happening, sometimes find themselves in the center of the sea battle.
In fact, the United States should Express appreciation for the independence of the French Navy, who fought with the British. Under the pressure of superior forces of the Continental army of Washington and the French army, the British army General Charles Cornwallis retreated to Yorktown, where on September 27 was besieged and, on October 19, surrendered along with thousandth army that ended the War for independence. It should be noted that the choice of the Chesapeake Bay played a very important role: there the French army was able to cut off the British troops.
During the reign of Peter the Great Russian Empire sought not only to enrichment, but also actively search for new sea routes. Here comes to mind the word “shackles”, as came out in the open sea, Russia found itself “constrained by the chain.”
The role of these “shackles” have played a thick layer of ice in the Northern seas. After all, the Russians sought to find a way into the southern waters. Only under Catherine II, after the annexation of the territories of Ukraine and Crimea, Russia finally gained access to the Black sea. In Sevastopol was built by the naval base. Despite this, Russia has for centuries remained cut off from the world of the seas of the Bosphorus (which was subsequently enshrined in the Montreux Convention on the status of the Straits). However, even if Russia passed through the Bosphorus, she would have received access to the Mediterranean sea and would not be able to go into the ocean.
This explains the fact that the confrontation between the U.S. and Russia takes place in the air.
The second reason is that Russia is skeptical of other countries.
Russia sends all forces to defend the country on land. Every business, every plan is aimed at protecting borders. For this reason, Russia (and former USSR) and in the past, and now did not attach particular importance to the Navy.
That is why Russia is building submarines (which sometimes have unique characteristics), but not aircraft carriers. This is done only in order to obtain rich resources. Why the Russians are developing an anti-ship missile, instead of developing infrastructure. In the last century, the Russian abandoned the battleship. They knew he would never be able to go beyond the naval base, so Russia has left these attempts. Russia is now focused on how to direct weapons to the United States and Europe.
Why Russia needs this?
Submarines and anti-ship planes can be used at far distances from the object. In peacetime, these two weapons can only scare, but not capable of inflicting serious damage.
