Group of Pacific Fleet's warships arrives for naval exercises in China
ZHANJIANG (China). Sept 12 (Interfax-AVN) - The naval sailors of the Russian Navy and the China People's Liberation Army's Navy exchanged visits to the flagships, which are taking part in the drills - the Admiral Tributs destroyer and the Guangzhou destroyer. In all, 400 servicemen visited the ships.
"Last time, we were here in 2012. Now our sailors and those from China are paying reciprocal visits to the ships," an officer of the Admiral Tributs destroyer told journalists.
In the course of the day representatives of the command of the group of the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet ships have also paid a visit to the commander of the Fleet of the South China Sea and have visited the administration of the city of Zhanjiang, Guangdong province in southern China.
A group of Pacific Fleet warships, among them the Admiral Tributs and Admiral Vinogradov destroyers, the Peresvet large landing ship, the Alatau tugboat and the Pecheneg tanker, has arrived in China for practice. The group is led by Pacific Fleet Primorye Flotilla Commander Rear-Admiral Vadim Kulit.
The active stage of exercises will take place on September 15-19. The sides will practice joint defense of anchored ships, the search for, rescue and escort of vessels, release of a seized ship, and detection and identification of joint air defense targets in the South China Sea. They will also deliver joint rocket and artillery strikes on seaborne targets. Marines and paratroopers will land on a 'seized' island in the end.
The first Naval Interaction drills were held in the Yellow Sea off Qingdao in the Shandong province of eastern China on April 22-27, 2012. They engaged 25 ships and submarines, 13 planes, nine helicopters and two special operations units.
