Article Posted on : - Aug 03, 2010

File photo of Russian warship docked at Syria base.

MOSCOW (BNS): Russian Navy has planned to modernise its naval supply and maintenance site near Syria's Mediterranean port of Tartus, for accommodating heavy warships after 2012, a media report said.

"Tartus will be developed as a naval base. The first stage of development and modernisation will be completed in 2012," RIA Novosti quoted Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky, as saying.

�It could then serve as a base for guided-missile cruisers and even aircraft carriers,� he added.

During Soviet-era, Russia Navy had established three logistical support bases at Syria and at present only a small logistic support facility exist in Tartus.

Since 1992, the naval logistic base is under fundamental renovation.

According to the naval officials, the task will update facilities at the Tartus base and Russia will be able to showcase its naval presence in the Mediterranean.