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Admiral Sergei Gorshkov was arguably the greatest naval strategist of the 20th century. In his book, ‘The Sea Power of the State’, the man who transformed the Russian Navy into a global force, wrote: “Naval warfare aimed directly against land targets will play an ever greater part in any future major conflict.” On the night of October 5, four Russian missile boats with a displacement of a mere 1000 tons each started raining down cruise missiles down the throats of ISIS and US-backed terror groups. Flying at treetop level over a distance of 2600 km through Iran and Iraq, and...

This article is part of CIMSEC’s “Forgotten Naval Strategists Week.” It’s time to discuss the Soviet Navy, so dust off your Norman Polmar guides and your early Tom Clancy novels. Or just ask an old salt and Cold War vet if the Red Fleet used to be a big deal. You might even check with Vladimir Putin, who is well aware of this recent yet quickly forgotten chapter in Russian history. Putin would no doubt fondly recall the man responsible for the rise of the Soviet Navy and for its operational and intellectual direction in its heyday: Admiral Sergei Gorshkov....

For Gorshkov, Navy pilots head to US for training SHIV AROOR NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 23: By the time Russian-built aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov arrives in 2008, the Navy will have a contingent of 32 pilots, trained in specialised deck-based fighter operations at the US Navy training command in Pensacola, Florida. With the first batch of four Lieutenant-rank officers are already under training there, the next is scheduled to go in March. The selection of venue for training to operate Russian-built MiG-29K fighters off the Gorshkov may seem strange but the government was compelled to accept the Pentagon’s offer because Russia...

US offers training on aircraft carrier and presence in Pacific Defence Minister Mukherjee to meet Secy Rumsfeld at Pentagon on Tuesday SHISHIR GUPTA NEW DELHI, JUNE 25: From an offer to train Indian naval pilots to posting an Indian officer in the Pacific Command and possibly in the Florida-based Central Command as well, Washington is ready with a slew of proposals for Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee as he begins his US trip tonight. Although a careful Mukherjee has called the visit ‘‘exploratory,’’ these proposals are expected to be discussed when he meets US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld at the Pentagon...