Russia to establish navy base in Sudan for at least 25 years

Russia has signed an agreement with Sudan to establish a navy base in African nation for at least a quarter century, part of Moscow's efforts to expand its global reach.

deal published Tuesday on official portal of government documents allows Russia to simultaneously keep up to four navy ships, including nuclear-powered ones, in Port Sudan on Red Sea. agreement lasts for 25 years and could be automatically extended for 10-year periods if ne of parties objects to it.

document states that Russian navy base should “help strengn peace and stability in region” and isn’t directed against any third parties. In exchange for Sudan's permission to set up base, Russia will provide Sudan with weapons and military equipment.

new agreement is part of Moscow's efforts to restore a regular naval presence in various parts of globe. Russian military footprint wired after 1991 Soviet collapse amid ecomic woes and military funding shorts, but President Vlimir Putin has moved steily to rebuild nation's military might amid tensions with West.

Russian navy alrey has established a major presence in Mediterranean, thanks to a naval base in Syrian port of Tartus, currently only such facility that Russia has outside former Soviet Union.

Russia has wd a military campaign in Syria since September 2015, allowing President Bashar Ass’s government to reclaim control over most of country following a devastating civil war.

In 2017, Moscow struck a deal with Ass to extend its lease on Tartus for 49 years. After signing agreement that allows Russia to keep up to 11 warships re, it has moved to modernize and expand facility.

As part of Putin’s efforts to beef up military, Russian navy in recent years has revived Soviet-era practice of constantly rotating its warships in Mediterranean.