Crews of ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) and the Egyptian Navy have launched a three-day maritime phase of the joint exercise "Bridge of Friendship - 2021" in the Mediterranean Sea, the BSF press service said Monday.
"During the maritime phase of the exercise, taking place in the area of the Gulf of Alexandria, the crews of the ships of the two countries will carry out a set of joint actions to assist a ship in distress, guide the ships behind trawls, repulse an attack of surface assets, organize resupply at sea and conduct inspection operations in respect of suspicious vessels. In addition, while practicing all-round protection and defense of ships in the sea crossing, the crews will carry out joint artillery firing at surface and air targets, as well as targets simulating floating mines," reported in the Navy.
It is specified that the detachment of ships of the Russian Navy includes the frigate Admiral Grigorovich with a Ka-27PS helicopter on board, the patrol ship Dmitry Rogachev and the rescue tug SB-742. The Egyptian naval detachment is represented by a frigate, two corvettes and a supply vessel.
"The detachments of Russian and Egyptian warships operate under a single plan under the general direction of the joint exercise headquarters. Rear Admiral Viktor Kochemazov, commander of the Novorossiysk Naval Base of the Black Sea Fleet, heads the international headquarters from the Russian Navy," the Navy noted.
It is added that participants of the exercises have already conducted a two-day coastal phase - during this time there were conducted training on communication between the participating ships and a pre-arrival conference with the participation of commanders and officer staff of the ships.
The aim of the exercise "Bridge of Friendship - 2021", which takes place on December 3-10, is the strengthening and development of military cooperation between the Russian Navy and the Egyptian Navy in the interests of security and stability in the region. Russian-Egyptian exercises "Bridge of Friendship" have been held since 2015. In 2020, they were held in the Black Sea with ships calling at the port of Novorossiysk; this year they are taking place in the Mediterranean.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS