Coastal Defense Systems In Place At New Caspian Flotilla Base

Russia has strengthened its defenses at its new facility for the Caspian Flotilla in Dagestan, reports Russia's Tass news agency. 

A battalion equipped with Bal coastal defense systems has been deployed to the base, Southern Military District commander Col. Gen. Alexander Dvornikov said on Friday. 

Armed with Kh-35 subsonic low-altitude anti-ship missiles, Bal coastal defense systems can defend against potential amphibious assaults, said Dvornikov. The system has a range of about 80 miles (130 km).

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced last year that the Caspian Flotilla would relocate from Astrakhan to Kaspiysk, Dagestan. 

The first stage of construction is scheduled to be completed this year, with all work to conclude by 2020. Some ships have already relocated to the new facility.