Black Sea Fleet (BSF) frigate Smetlivy and rescue ship Epron are completing preparations for Russian-Italian joint exercise IONIEX-2011, told BSF Commander’s press secretary Capt 1 rank Vyacheslav Trukhachev to Central Navy Portal.
A planning conference took place on board Italian frigate Espero ; participants specified the plan and operational matters of the coming exercise.
Staying in base, Russian and Italian servicemen held preparatory drills in communications, surface/air monitoring, and boarding of search groups.
Sea phase of IONIEX exercise includes practice in joint maneuvering, antisubmarine warfare, protection from asymmetric attacks of air and small-size sea targets, and joint gun firing. It will be conducted in the Ionian Sea in Nov 10-12. Italian Navy delegated frigates Espero and Aviere .
On Nov 12, frigate Smetlivy and rescue ship Epron will call at Italian port Augusta to summarize the IONIEX-2011 exercise.
[mappress] Source: rusnavy, November 10, 2011;