Russia: Navy Plans to Participate in Naval Exercise with NATO

In training year, Russian Navy plans to participate in a number of joint naval exercises including those with navies of the US, Great Britain, and France, reports RIA Novosti referring to a spokesman for defense ministry.

New training year in Russian Armed Forces started on Dec 1. The past one was marked by the Center 2011 large-scale exercise, successful test launches of Bulava and shaping a new branch – Aerospace Defense Force.

“Russian warships and submarines are deployed worldwide within task groups and singly. It is planned that Russian warships would take part in the FRUKUS 2012 maneuvers, NATO exercises BALTOPS 2012, IONIEX 2012, and the international search-and-rescue exercise Bold Monarch 2012, Russian-Norwegian exercise Pomor 2012, international exercise Northern Eagle 2012, and the RIMPAC 2012 exercise”, said the interviewee.

According to him, in 2012 Black Sea Fleet will take part in activation of BLACKSEAFOR task group. Terms and dates of exercises are being currently agreed via diplomatic channels. In addition, Russian warships are supposed to pay visits to over 40 foreign ports in 2012.

“Navy command plans that Russian warships would continue presence in the Gulf of Aden and near the Horn of Africa on the regular basis in order to maintain maritime security. With this in view, rotation of the ships is scheduled”, added the Navy spokesman.

He stressed that Russian mariners were planning to start a long-range cruise no later than in Dec 2011. As is expected, Northern Fleet carrier group headed by aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov will be deployed in ocean zones.

According to Russian Navy, in the new training year high emphasis will be put on development of shipbuilding program which implies construction of frigates and corvettes, as well as construction, trials, and commissioning of nuclear-powered submarines. Building of diesel electric submarines and modernization of available nuclear ones will be also continued.

“Construction of submarines will go along with further modernization of search-and-rescue facilities including salvage ships, piloted and unmanned search-and-rescue submersibles”, added the interviewee.

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Naval Today Staff, December 02, 2011; Image: navsource