From: Adam 

George Sherwood wrote:
> On Mon, 11 Sep 2006 21:41:56 +0100, Adam wrote:
>
>> George Sherwood wrote:
>>> On Sun, 10 Sep 2006 19:02:27 +0100, Adam wrote:
>>>
>>>>>> "Astrakhan would operate in the Caspian
Flotilla, commander added."
>>>>> Interesting to see how it looks.  I am still not as
impressed with
Russian
>>>>> kit as you.  I see many claims and few facts. 
Probably one of the best
>>>>> Navy's tied up to the piers that exists.  But
hard to control the seas
>>>>> from there.
>>>>>
>>>> Yeah but the US thirst for oil is nicely replenishing the
coffers. The
>>>> remaining Typhoons are back in the water (though the last
Bulava test
>>>> failed).
>>> Only the US thirst?  Last I checked it was the world's demand.  You are
>>> sounding more like Phil.   But not replenishing as
much as you might
>>> think or it could. Mostly replenishing the pockets of a few.
>>>
>> As you keep pointing out oil is denominated in dollars.
>
> Not sure what this has to do with anything. Just means their pockets are
> being filled with dollars.  Doesn't get back to the basics that most of
> the FSU is just broke.  Hard to fathom the levels of corruption.
>

Always has been. It was the oil which greased the wheels of communism.
Ditto the PRC, Vietnam etc.

However the FSU is neatly divided into "those wth hydrocarbons"
& "those without". Those with e.g. Azerbaijan, Kazachstan,
Russia etc are hardly broke any more.

>>>> More & more ships are setting out for further &
further afield.
>>> Not sure what you are seeing, but I wouldn't come close to making a
>>> statement like that.
>>>
>> I will let that one pass for the moment (though I may return to it).
>>
> Not sure what to get back to on this.  Just not much underway time.
>

Yes & no. Many old vessels are finally being scrapped (e.g. the
PacFleet victor ssn's), clearing the way for the new. It will be
interesting to see if the new vessels d come on line in 2009 as per the
plan.

Adam

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