30.09.2008
Source:
Russia's warships currently on a long-range sortie to the Caribbean will conduct a number of exercises in the Atlantic Ocean, a Northern Fleet spokesman said on Monday.
A naval task group from the Northern Fleet, comprising the nuclear-powered missile cruiser
Pyotr Velikiy (Peter the Great), the large ASW ship
Admiral Chabanenko, and support ships, left a naval base in northern Russia on September 22 and is currently in the northern Atlantic, having covered a distance of 1,000 nautical miles (2,000 km) in a week.
"The ships from the task group will hold a number of air defense and ASW exercises, and also various communications and maneuvering drills," Capt. 1st Rank Igor Babenko said.
During the current tour of duty the Russian warships will also participate in joint naval exercises with the Venezuelan navy in the Caribbean on November 10-14, in line with the 2008 training program, and in order to expand military cooperation with foreign navies.
During the entire mission, the task group is expected to cover a distance of 15,000 nautical miles (30,000 km).
According to the Russian Navy, the movements of the convoy are closely monitored by the U.K. HMS
Argyll frigate and NATO aircraft.
Russia announced last year that its Navy had resumed and would build up a constant presence in different regions of the world's oceans.
