Russia, Norway launch joint naval drillsMay 11, 2012 - 18:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Russian-Norwegian Pomor-2012 naval drills will begin in the Arctic on Friday, May 11 the Russian Northern Fleet spokesman said, according to RIA Novosti. The five-day exercises will be held in the Barents and Norwegian seas, Vadim Serga said. Russia’s Udaloy-class Admiral Chabanenko anti-submarine destroyer, the Sukhoi Su-33 (Flanker-D) carrier-based multi-role fighter jet, the Ilyushin Il-38 (May) anti-submarine warfare aircraft and the Ka-27 (Helix) anti-submarine helicopter will take part in the drills, Serga said. The Norwegian frigate Fritdjof Nansen moored in the Barents Sea port of Severomorsk, the home base for the Russian Northern Fleet, earlier this week. On May 9, its crew took part in Victory Day celebrations in the nearby port of Murmansk and joined a military parade with some 700 Russian soldiers and officers. Russia and Norway have carried out the annual Pomor naval drills since 2010 to practice interoperability in the environmentally fragile Arctic area. The exercises include firing of live artillery rounds at simulated surface and aerial targets, anti-submarine warfare drills, anti-piracy operations, and search-and-rescue missions. Last year, the drills in the Barents and Norwegian seas involved Russian Udaloy class destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov from the Northern Fleet, Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen class frigate Helge Ingstad, coastal guard vessels and naval aircraft. The Russian-Norwegian agreement on delimiting the sea border and cooperation in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean came into force in July 2011 after 40 years of negotiations. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |