Russian and Norwegian warships practiced firing live artillery rounds at simulated surface and aerial targets during the first stage of the Pomor-2010 naval exercises, Russia's Northern Fleet spokesman said on Tuesday.

The Russian Northern Fleet and the Norwegian Navy are conducting the joint drills from June 7-11 in the Barents and Norwegian Seas.

"The Russian and Norwegian ships have started practicing a wide range of drills on communications, navigation, maneuvering and coordinated firing at various targets," Vadim Serga said.

The four-stage exercise also includes anti-submarine warfare drills, anti-piracy operations, and search-and-rescue missions.

The Norwegian Navy is represented by guided missile frigate Otto Sverdrup, Coast Guard ship Nordkapp, the Orion patrol aircraft, F-16 fighters and Lynx helicopters, while Russia's Northern Fleet is represented by the Severomorsk destroyer, Il-38 ASW aircraft, Su-33 fighters and a Ka-27 naval helicopter.

Intensive combat training and a continued presence in the world's oceans are priorities for the Russian Navy.

In the second half of 2010, Russian warships will take part in a number of large-scale naval drills, continue patrolling the pirate-infested waters off the Somali coast and make about 50 foreign port calls.

MURMANSK, June 8 (RIA Novosti)