ASW ship Severomorsk to participate in Russian-Norwegian exercise Pomor 2010 in June

31.05.2010 Large ASW ship Severomorsk completes preparation for practical stage of Russian-Norwegian exercise Pomor 2010 to be held in June 7-11 in the Norwegian and the Barents seas, informed RIA Novosti citing Vadim Serga, press secretary of Northern Fleet (NF) Commander.

Northern Fleet will be represented by large ASW ship Severomorsk. Norwegian Navy will dispatch frigate KNM Otto Sverdrup and Coast Guard ship Nordkapp.

"The exercise will consist of four episodes including gun firings at aerial and sea surface targets, detection and attack upon submarine, antiaircraft warfare, antipiracy operation, release of oil platform captured by armed extremists, cooperative maneuvering, deck landing of helicopters, rescue of sailors in distress, and other drills", said Serga.

According to him, main objective of the exercise is to train interoperability between Norwegian and Russian navies and air forces in ecologically vulnerable environment of Arctic region. Safety measures were one of the basic issues while preparation.

The working protocol confirming reached agreements was signed at the final conference held early May. NF mariners and their Norwegian counterparts will once again discuss all details just prior to the exercise at Norwegian base Hokonsvern in June 4-7. Summarizing of the exercise will be held in Severomorsk in June 12-15, upon arrival of the Russian and Norwegian warships, said Serga.

The event will be covered by Russian and Norwegian media agencies, which representatives will work directly on board large ASW ship Severomorsk and frigate KNM Otto Sverdrup.

In the nearest time the NF ship will sail off Severomorsk and head for Norwegian base Hokonsvern, said the press secretary of NF Commander.