Destroyer Smetlivy Left Italy after Repairs

15.11.2012 Crew of Black Sea Fleet (BSF) destroyer Smetlivy has finished repair and left Italian port Taranto, reported Russian defense ministry.

It was earlier said that one of oil pump blocks was broken down on BSF destroyer Smetlivy that had called at Italian port Taranto after completion of the IONIEX-2012 joint naval exercise. The ship's commanding staff decided to ask Italian partners to help.

In order to eliminate the failure found in the Russian destroyer, Italian Navy's workshops made the needed parts in a day. When the crew had finished all repair works, Smetlivy departed from Taranto in the evening of Nov 13 and is currently heading for assigned zone in the Mediterranean Sea.

BSF task group consisting of Guards missile cruiser Moskva, landing ship Saratov, and replenishment tanker Ivan Bubnov is performing combat training tasks in the East Mediterranean.

The ships are holding joint tactical drills practicing short-range antisubmarine and antiaircraft warfare. It is planned to conduct watch officer drills, train signalmen and radar operators, and carry out damage control drills.

The task group will be soon reinforced by BSF landing ship Novocherkassk which is to pass the Black Sea Straits in the next few days.

Late in Nov, the task group will pass the Suez Canal and start anti-piracy mission near the Horn of Africa early in Dec, reports Russian defense ministry.

The region around the Horn of Africa is hazardous because of Somali pirates regularly attacking commercial ships to obtain ransoms, reports RIA Novosti. Regular presence of warships in the piracy-risky regions is specified in the Russian Navy combat employment plan.