19.10.2012
Text: Southern Military District Press Service
Photo: Southern Military District Press Service
Black Sea Fleet (BSF) destroyer Smetlivy on Oct 18 left Sevastopol for the Mediterranean Sea to participate in the IONIEX-2012 joint Russian-Italian naval exercise to be held in Nov 7-9 off Italy.
The IONIEX exercise was held for the first time in 2004 and has become a traditional annual activity of military cooperation between Russian and Italian navies aimed at improving of interaction in joint naval operations.
During the exercise, naval mariners of the both countries will practice joint maneuvering, hold communication drills, and train countering of asymmetric threats. Special emphasis is put upon prevention of unlawful activities at sea including piracy, protection of civil shipping, and assistance to ships in distress.
Smetlivy will pay several visits at Mediterranean ports to replenish supplies.
