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First Russian-Egyptian joint naval drills to enter active phase on June 10

The eight-day drills will involve Russia’s missile cruiser Moskva, with Ka-27 helicopter, corvette Samum, landing ship Alexander Shabalin, tanker Ivan Bubnov and a tugboat MB-31
The Moskva missile cruiser ITAR-TASS/Vadim Savitsky
The Moskva missile cruiser
© ITAR-TASS/Vadim Savitsky

MOSCOW, June9. /TASS/. The active phase of the Russian-Egyptian Friendship Bridge-2015 joint naval exercise will start on June 10, captain Igor Dygalo told reporters.

The Russian-Egyptian first joint naval exercises Bridge of Friendship-2015 in the Mediterranean Sea are due to enter their active phase on Wednesday, Russian Navy spokesman Captain 1st Rank Igor Dygalo has told reporters.

The united control center of the drills in Egypt’s port of Alexandria will set the tasks before the commanders and crews of the vessels on Tuesday before the start of the maneuvers in the sea.

"It is planned that the active phase in the sea with the practical fulfillment of tasks of the Russian-Egyptian naval task force in the designated area of the Mediterranean Sea will begin tomorrow, on June 10," Dygalo said.

The crews of the vessels will receive the final instructions on implementing the tasks during the drills. The ships are due to hold exercises on air defense and repelling attacks of small-size targets. The sides will also exchange officers-monitors.

Russian-Egyptian naval exercises will become an important step for increasing mutual understanding and enhancing confidence, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Admiral Viktor Chirkov said on Monday.

The eight-day drills will involve Russia’s missile cruiser Moskva, with Ka-27 helicopter, corvette Samum, landing ship Alexander Shabalin, tanker Ivan Bubnov and a tugboat MB-31.

Egypt is contributing the frigates Taba and Damiyat, the tanker Shatalin, two patrol boats April 25 and June 18, and two F-16 fighters.

The 16-member shore staff headquarters of the exercises will be based in the united control center of Egypt’s Navy in the port of Alexandria. The Moskva missile cruiser will accommodate the field headquarters of the command.