The Russian Ministry of Defense is working to expand its naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus following the major expansion of the main Hmeimim base, located in the Latakia countryside.

On Feb. 5, a website called The Drive published satellite images showing work in progress to extend one of the two main runways of Russia's Khmeimim airbase outpost in Syria by around 1,000 feet. “The extension would allow the base to support more regular deployments of larger and more heavily-laden aircraft, including heavy airlifters and even potentially bombers,” the outlet reported.

A few days ago, the Russian TASS news agency quoted a source connected to the Russian military as saying that the ship repair shop at the Russian naval installation at Tartus will have a floating dock in 2022.

TASS stated that the Russian military is working to expand the technical capabilities of the naval base in the port of Tartus to facilitate the repair of ships and submarines. Repairs are currently carried out by floating workshops brought from the Black and Baltic Seas. Ships that need repair are sometimes sent to Russian ports.