Russian Navy to Join RIMPAC Exercises

Russian Navy Pacific Fleet ships to join U.S., multi-national force, in RIMPAC exercise for first time ever

A Pacific Fleet task unit comprising destroyer Admiral Panteleyev, tanker Boris Butoma, and seagoing rescue tug Fotiy Krylov will leave Vladivostok in June and set a course for Hawaii.

According to the exercise scenario, it is planned to practice interaction amid naval assets from numerous countries.

The RIMPAC exercise has been held every two years since 1971. The first exercise was attended by ships of the US, Canada, and Australia, and this year RIMPAC will incorporate 45 ships from 22 countries.

Formerly, Russia delegated only Pacific Fleet officers as exercise observers. This year it was decided to include Pacific Fleet ships into the RIMPAC-2012 program.

Active phases of the exercise will take place in the Pacific Ocean from July 11 through Aug 2, 2012