Russia, France to Hold Naval Exercise in Barents Sea

13.06.2012 French frigate De Grasse called at Northern Fleet (NF) main base Severomorsk paying a formal visit till June 15. The visit will finish with a joint naval drill; Russia is to be represented by landing ship Alexander Otrakovsky.

"French Navy's frigate De Grasse called today at Northern Fleet main naval base. The visit is held under Russian-French military cooperation program and will last till June 15", reports NF press service.

During the stay in Severomorsk, commanding officer Capt Pascal Le Claire paid courtesy visits to NF Deputy Commander Andrei Volozhinsky and Severomorsk major Alexander Abramov. Also, crew of De Grasse attended the Russia Day festivities on June 12.

"Visit of the French warship will be closed with the bilateral PACEX-type joint exercise to take place in the Barents Sea on June 15. Northern Fleet will be represented by large landing ship Alexander Otrakovsky which will participate in joint training activity with the French warship for the first time", reports the press service.