The joint Norwegian-Russian naval exercises POMOR-2012 are about to start from the Northern Fleet’s base in Severomorsk.
Original author:
Barents Observer
Published: 10.05.2012
The vessels are planned to leave port on May 11 and conduct joint drills on four locations – one in Russia and three in Norwegian waters. The drills will focus on anti-terror and anti-piracy operations, interception of fast-speed boats illegally crossing the state borders, search and rescue operations. The exercise will also include joint maneuvering, live artillery firing, anti-aircraft defense and detection of submarines.
The Norwegian frigate Fritdjof Nansen moored in Severomorsk earlier this week. On May 9th the crew took part in Victory Day celebrations in Murmansk and joined the military parade with some 700 Russian soldiers and officers. The Norwegian delegation is led by Head of the Norwegian Joint Command Vice Admiral Haakon Bruun-Hanssen, who also had meeting with his Russian colleague Commander of the Northern Fleet Vice Admiral Vladimir Kolrolyov.
Russia will participate in the drills with the destroyer “Admiral Chabanenko”, one rescue tug boat, Il-38 maritime patrol aircraft, Su-33 Flanker fighter planes and Ka-27 helicopters. The Norwegian side brings the frigate “Fridtjof Nansen” and the coast guard vessel “KV Senja”, as well as F-16 jet fighters and Orion surveillance planes.
Norwegian coastal rangers and Russian naval infantry will also be taking part in POMOR-2012.
The exercises will end with the Russian crew taking part in the May 17th celebrations of the Norwegian Constitution Day in Bodø.
The POMOR exercise is one of the key elements of cooperation between Russia and Norway; it contributes to development of good-neighborly relations and keeps the two navies ready to conduct joint naval operations in economically important regions of the Arctic Ocean.