The first-ever naval exercises of Russia and the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be held on December 1-3 in the area of North Sumatra in Indonesia. This was stated on November 23 by the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to ASEAN, Alexander Ivanov.
"The decision to hold joint naval exercises was made at the Fourth Russia-ASEAN Summit held on October 28, 2021 via videoconference, which was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting was timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of relations between our country and the Association, celebrated this year," RIA Novosti quotes the words of the permanent representative.
On the Russian side, the large anti-submarine ship Admiral Panteleev will be involved in the exercises.
According to Ivanov, "the exercises are aimed at working out the interaction between the Russian Navy and the Navies of the ASEAN member countries to ensure the safety of maritime commercial activities and navigation." They will be divided into two stages - virtual and marine.
"The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subiyanto plans to launch the exercises from the Admiral Panteleev BOD," Ivanov said.
Also, at the Russia-ASEAN summit held in October, it was decided to declare 2022 the Year of Russia-ASEAN Scientific and Technical Cooperation.
Konstantin Volkov