The Russian Black Sea Fleet will take part for the first time in NATO's Bold Monarch exercise next year, its commander said on Friday.
"Ahead of us [next year] are tactical drills involving multiple task forces, Russian-Turkish exercises under the Black Sea Partnership program and the NATO drills, Bold Monarch, which the Black Sea Fleet will take part in for the first time," Vice Adm. Vladimir Korolyov said.
Bold Monarch is a major NATO live submarine escape and rescue exercise, involving ships, aircraft and submarines. It will be held next year in the Mediterranean, off the coast of Spain, on June 1-9.
Korolyov also said that the Black Sea Fleet was scheduled to hold joint drills with Ukraine and Italy, and continue its participation in Operation Black Sea Harmony in 2011.
SEVASTOPOL, December 17 (RIA Novosti)
