Russian-Italian exercise Ioniex 2013 starts in Ionian Sea
MOSCOW. Nov 7 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Black Sea Fleet destroyer Smetlivy and a destroyer and a frigate of the Italian Navy have started Ioniex 2013 exercises in the Ionian Sea, Black Sea Fleet spokesman Capt. 1st Rank Vyacheslav Trukhachev told Interfax-AVN on Thursday.
"The crews practiced harbor piloting and exchanged information about detected targets to harmonize airspace and maritime data during their departure from Taranto," he said.
Russian and Italian sailors will practice shooting at a towed target and inspect "a suspect ship", which will be simulated by Russian and Italian ships in turn, he said.
The sides will also drill air defense, the joint search for a submarine, shipping in formation and security of ships anchored in an unsafe location.
The maritime phase of Ioniex 2013 will last until November 9, Trukhachev said.