The Russian Navy Caspian Flotilla at parade in Astrakhan
The Russian and Iranian navies are planning to hold joint exercises
in the Caspian Sea in the second half of this year, the Russian news
agency Novosti reported. According to Nikolai Yakubovsky, deputy
commander of Russia’s Caspian Flotilla, the exercise follows a previous
one held in 2009.
Caspian Flotilla commander Admiral Sergey Alekminsky
confirmed few months ago that that the two navies could strengthen their
collaboration in the future.
The Russian flotilla maintains a
small force comprising two Gepard class frigates, three Tarantul class
corvettes and several missile patrol boats. The Iranian Caspian fleet
based at Bandar-e Anzali also maintains a small fleet of patrol boats
and minesweepers. The fleet will get a major boost next year, as the
domestically built Jamaran-2 frigate, recently launched at Bandar-e
Anzali.
Yakubovsky made the announcement after a meeting with the
commander of a group of Iranian guided-missile boats that were visiting
the port of Astrakhan. Iranian navy representatives welcomed the
opportunity to take part in the joint exercises, but declined to discuss
the plans in more detail. In 2009, Russia and Iran held their first
joint naval exercise in the Caspian, involving about 30 ships.
The first Jamaran 2 frigate will soon join the Iranian Caspian Fleet
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