Defense Minister Shoigu Calls Central Russia Developing Submarines, Underwater Drones To New Robotic Systems

JAKARTA - The Russian government is Consistent in improving the country's Navy capabilities, such as by developing new nuclear submarines, underwater drones and robotic systems, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Friday.

"Currently, we are actively working to design multipurpose nuclear submarines, robotic systems, and unmanned underwater vehicles," Defense Minister Shoigu said at a meeting at the Russian Pacific Fleet Headquarters.

Defense Minister Shoigu made a working visit to the Primorye Region in Russia's Far East. He examined the fulfillment of the state procurement contract at the Zvezda submarineyard in Bolshoy Kamen and the Progress helicopter factory in Arsenyev.

From there, Defense Minister Shoigu visited Russia's Pacific Fleet Headquarters to hold a meeting that concluded the production of military industry companies in the Far East.

At the meeting, Defense Minister Shoigu noted, the Russian Navy protected national interests, maintained shipping safety and carried out operations in various regions of the world.

Regarding or not, the visit comes after a strategic Sevastopol Shipyard on the Crimean Peninsula caught fire on Wednesday this week due to an attack Russia has accused Ukraine of, citing Reuters.

The Sevastopol Shipyard has strategic value. Russia uses it to build and repair warships to Black Sea Fleet submarines. Since the February 2022 invasion, the fleet has launched numerous drone and missile attacks on Ukraine.