Major Russian naval exercise to be held in Pacific

VLADIVOSTOK, March 31 (RIA Novosti, Anatoly Ilyukhov) - Large-scale naval exercises will be held in Russia's Far East in early April, the press service of the Pacific Fleet said Friday.

The seven-day exercises off the Kamchatka Peninsula will involve main naval groups of the northeast joint command, including ships, submarines, aircraft and coastal defense troops, which will practice interoperability in simulated combat operations.

"Coastal troops will conduct direct artillery and small arms shooting practice. They will be supported by aircraft of the Pacific Fleet's air force and air-defense force," a representative said, adding that pilots would be eliminating targets at different altitudes and in cloud conditions.

The missions of anti-submarine ships, minesweepers and submarines will form the central part of the exercises.