Pacific Fleet Mariners Prepare for Russian-Chinese Exercise

16.04.2012 Active phase of the Maritime Cooperation 2012 Russian-Chinese naval exercise will be held in Apr 22-27 in the Yellow Sea. It will be the first and the most critical training element for Pacific Fleet (PF) servicemen in 2012; they will demonstrate naval skills to foreign counterparts.

Remarkable fact is for the first time PF ships participated in joint Russian-Chinese exercise Peace Mission 2005 held in Shanghai and sponsored by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

As far as one can judge by strength of Russian Navy's task force dispatched to China, the exercise is going to be large-scale. The task force comprises destroyers Admiral Tributs, Marshal Shaposhnikov, and Admiral Vinogradov, replenishment tanker Pechenga, tugs MB-37 and SB-522.

Ship-based helicopters Ka-27 will cover the task unit from the air; attached PF marine unit will perform special-purpose tasks. The task force is headed by PF flagship – Guards missile cruiser Varyag.

Concept of the coming exercise provides various scenarios of joint anti-piracy and counter-terror actions. Russian and Chinese ships will practice underway replenishment, joint navigation through hazardous area, destruction of sea and air targets by different weapon systems, joint search-and-rescue activities, assistance to a vessel in distress, etc.

Having already acquired wide anti-piracy experience in the Gulf of Aden, Russian and Chinese naval mariners will demonstrate their skills and capabilities during joint vessel-escort drills and release of a "captured" ship. Upon termination of all scheduled episodes, the participants will hold a naval parade in the Yellow Sea.

The solemn farewell ceremony of PF task force took place in the Strelok Bay on Apr 15.