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50 Pacific Fleet vessels to take part in exercise

Taking part in the manoeuvres will be 35 support vessels, up to 50 aircraft and helicopters, and up to 10,000 servicemen and civilians

VILYUCHINSK, September 13 (Itar-Tass) — More than 50 Pacific Fleet vessels will take part in manoeuvres in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) and the Sea of Okhotsk, commander of troops and forces in Russia's northeast Rear Admiral Konstantin Maklov told reporters.

"More than 50 vessels of the Pacific Fleet will drill teaming up to counteract international terrorism, in the course of the drills in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, as well as in the north-western part of the Pacific Ocean," Maklov said.

Taking part in the manoeuvres will be 35 support vessels, up to 50 aircraft and helicopters, and up to 10,000 servicemen and civilians. The active phase of the exercise, which began in August, will continue until the end of September, according to the rear admiral.

"The main objective of the drill is to practice actions to intercept piracy and poaching, and prevent sabotage by extremist organizations at oil and gas complex facilities located in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk," Maklov underlined, adding that "the manoeuvres are part of the Pacific Fleet's training plan for 2011."

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