News / Defense

Iran, Russia set to stage joint naval drill in Indian Ocean on Tuesday: Admiral

Monday, 15 February 2021 9:06 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 15 February 2021 9:17 AM ]

This photo shows a view of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Surface Force Type 052D destroyer Xining (117), the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy frigate “ALBORZ” (72), and the Russian Navy Neustrashimyy-class frigate “Yaroslav Mudry” during joint Iran-Russia-China naval drills in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman on December 28, 2019. (By AFP)

Iran and Russia will begin a joint naval exercise on Tuesday in the northern part of the Indian Ocean with the aim of bolstering maritime trade security in the region, said the Iranian Navy’s spokesman for the drill.

Flotilla Admiral Gholamreza Tahani said the surface and aviation units of the navies of the Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), as well as the Russian Navy’s floating units consisting of a Stoiky corvette, a KoLa logistics ship and a helicopter, will take part in the exercise, the Army’s media wing reported.

“The 2021 Joint Maritime Security Belt Exercise of Iran and Russia will be held over an area of 17,000 square kilometers, with a message of peace and friendship,” Tahani said.

He explained that a variety of tactical exercises are scheduled for the drill, such as rescuing vessels from fire and assault, shooting at specific targets, shooting at air targets at night, among others.

Iran, Russia to hold 2nd joint naval drills in Indian Ocean: Commander

The drills will be held with the goal of expanding security in the northern part of the Indian Ocean.

The exercise’s goal is to strengthen the security of the region and to expand bilateral cooperation, the admiral stressed, adding that the naval drill also aims to contribute to the security of international maritime trade and the fight against piracy.

In remarks on Sunday, Deputy Commander of the Iranian Army for Coordination Affairs Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said the joint exercise “carries a clear message”.

He said Iran has faced different threats by extra-regional countries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, all of which have failed owing to the Iranian military’s deterrent power.

Back in 2019, Iran, Russia and China staged a four-day joint maritime exercise in the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman, which also consisted of various tactical exercises such as target practicing and rescuing ships from assault and incidents such as fires.

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