Black Sea Fleet Ships Prepare for Russian-Italian Joint Exercise

Black Sea Fleet (BSF) frigate Smetlivy and rescue ship Epron are completing preparations for Russian-Italian joint exercise IONIEX-2011, told BSF Commander’s press secretary Capt 1 rank Vyacheslav Trukhachev to Central Navy Portal.

A planning conference took place on board Italian frigate Espero; participants specified the plan and operational matters of the coming exercise.

Staying in base, Russian and Italian servicemen held preparatory drills in communications, surface/air monitoring, and boarding of search groups.

Sea phase of IONIEX exercise includes practice in joint maneuvering, antisubmarine warfare, protection from asymmetric attacks of air and small-size sea targets, and joint gun firing. It will be conducted in the Ionian Sea in Nov 10-12. Italian Navy delegated frigates Espero and Aviere.

On Nov 12, frigate Smetlivy and rescue ship Epron will call at Italian port Augusta to summarize the IONIEX-2011 exercise.

[mappress]
Source: rusnavy, November 10, 2011;