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Russian Defense Ministry to restore Baltic amphibious plane base

Baltic Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Viktor Chirkov had for the first time announced the plans for the aerodrome restoration on February 22, 2012

MOSCOW, July 09. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia’s Defense Ministry made a decision to restore the base of amphibious planes on the Baltic Sea - Kosa marine aerodrome of the Baltic Fleet. The press service of the Federal Special Construction Agency (Spetsstroi) told ITAR-TASS that “the main department of Russia’s Spetsstroi for the Southern Federal District conducts the preparation for the fulfilment of this major task". The aerodrome’s water area and airstrip, places of aircraft parking and hangars for boats and equipment will be rebuilt.

The fleet has a demand for float planes. They can be used for the transportation of soldiers, in sea search and rescue operations and patrolling. Baltic Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Viktor Chirkov had for the first time announced the plans for the aerodrome restoration on February 22, 2012. He told the press that the Be-200 amphibious planes that are to be delivered to the antisubmarine aviation will be based on the Vistula Spit, where a marine aerodrome will be built for these purposes. The sea harbor there, the commander said, had already been examined by fleet experts and engineers, and the site for the airstrip construction had been determined.

During the Soviet and post-Soviet period, Kosa was successfully used as a base for amphibious planes. Later, when antisubmarine aviation was withdrawn from the aerodrome, the whole complex of buildings, amenities, as well as hydro facilities, was ruined. Spetsstroi has promised in a short period of time to restore “the former pride of naval aviation".