Black Sea Fleet Ships Head for Mediterranean to Exercise With Italy

On Oct 30 – the 315th anniversary of Russian fleet’s foundation – Black Sea Fleet (BSF) frigate Smetlivy departed for the Mediterranean Sea along with BSF rescue ship Epron to attend the IONIEX Russian-Italian joint exercise to be held early in Nov, said a spokesman for the Navy.

IONIEX joint exercise is regularly conducted in the Mediterranean Sea off Italy within the framework of cooperation between Russian and Italian navies.

During the maneuvers, servicemen of both countries jointly practice reaction on asymmetric threats, carry out search operations and elements of tactical maneuvering.

In 2010 the IONIEX exercise was held off Sicily. Russia dispatched BSF frigate Ladny and BSF salvage tug Shakhter; Italian Navy delegated frigates Artigliere and Aliseo.

[mappress]
Source: rusnavy, November 02, 2011