Russia, ASEAN to hold joint naval drills early December
(VOVWORLD) - Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold the first joint naval exercise in early December in Indonesian territorial waters.
 Russia's Admiral Panteleyev destroyer will join the Russia-ASEAN naval drills. (Photo: AFP) |
First Admiral Julius Widjojono, Indonesian Navy spokesman, said Tuesday that the drills will take place in Sumatera sea area from December 1-3.
Indonesia will join the drills with a KRI Gusti Ngurah Rai 332 frigate, a Panther helicopter, and a CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft. Russia will send Admiral Panteleyev destroyer to the drills. Other ASEAN countries will deploy warships, except Laos and Cambodia who will observe the at-sea phase and participate in the online phase.
The Indonesian Navy spokesman said the joint naval drills are expected to further foster ASEAN-Russian relations and improve regional maritime security.
The Russian Embassy said it is part of an agreement between leaders of ASEAN and Russia at a virtual summit on October 28 on the occasion of 30th anniversary of ASEAN-Russian relations.