16.03.2010 Black Sea Fleet (BSF) marines conduct an exercise in Crimea near Opuk Mountain, writes Flag Rodiny.
To take part in the exercise, over 100 combat vehicles were delivered by large landing ships Caesar Kunikov and Nikolai Filchenkov from Sevastopol; most of them were BMP-2 and BTR-80. At the range drivers will have to overcome 100-km march and train loading and reloading in combat conditions.
Main objective of the exercise is to train landing and seizure of the coast occupied by "enemy".
Company field firing drills and battalion tactical training exercise are scheduled for coming 1.5 months.
Recall that some experts connect probable procurement of French helicopter carrier Mistral with Russia's intentions to reinforce Black Sea Fleet. Ships of this type are capable to carry 450 marines and amphibious vehicles. Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky, Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief once mentioned that Mistral could cover the distance from Novorossiysk to Georgian coast in 40 minutes.
At present, BSF helicopter pilots refresh their skills in deck landing and takeoff.