President Vladimir Putin has approved a long-term naval strategy aiming to restore Russia’s status as a leading maritime power by 2050, amid rising global tensions and increased defence spending.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a long-term naval strategy aimed at fully restoring Russia’s position as one of the world’s pre-eminent maritime powers, according to senior Kremlin official Nikolai Patrushev.

The strategy, titled “The Strategy for the Development of the Russian Navy up to 2050”, was signed off by Putin in late May, Patrushev revealed in an interview published on Monday. He described the document as a comprehensive roadmap designed to strengthen Russia’s naval capabilities over the coming decades.

“Russia’s position as one of the world’s greatest maritime powers is gradually recovering,” said Patrushev, a former KGB officer and longtime Putin ally. “It is impossible to carry out such work without a long-term vision of global oceanic developments, the evolution of challenges and threats, and, of course, without defining the goals and objectives facing the Russian Navy.”

Although Patrushev did not disclose specific details of the new naval strategy, the announcement comes amid a significant increase in Russia’s defence and security spending, which has now reached levels not seen since the Cold War as a proportion of gross domestic product.

Despite possessing the world’s third most powerful navy—behind China and the United States—Russia’s naval forces have endured several high-profile setbacks during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. These include the loss of key warships in the Black Sea and damage to logistical infrastructure, prompting questions about the fleet’s operational readiness and resilience.

Open-source intelligence suggests that Russia currently operates 79 submarines, including 14 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, and 222 warships across its various fleets. The country’s main naval force is the Northern Fleet, headquartered in Severomorsk on the Barents Sea, which plays a critical role in both Arctic operations and nuclear deterrence strategy.

The strategic review reflects Moscow’s recognition of the growing importance of naval power in an increasingly multipolar world, particularly as Arctic routes open due to climate change and competition intensifies in the Indo-Pacific region.

The announcement signals Russia’s intent to assert itself more aggressively on the high seas in the decades to come, as geopolitical tensions continue to rise and maritime dominance becomes increasingly central to global power projection.