MOSCOW. Feb 11 (Interfax) - A unit of Russian military ships arrived in the Pakistani port of Karachi on Thursday to take part in the Aman 2021 multinational naval exercise in the Arabian Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
"The Aman 2021 naval exercise held in the Arabian Sea is an off-bloc event. All participating countries join the exercise independently, at the invitation of the Pakistani side," the ministry said.
Besides the navies of Russia and Pakistan, the exercise will involve ships from another five countries. Over 30 foreign military delegations will monitor the exercise.
"Black Sea Fleet ships - the Admiral Grigorovich frigate, the Dmitry Rogachev patrol ship, and the SB-739 rescue tugboat, as well as a marine unit, a demining unit, and a ship-based helicopter are representing the Russian Navy at the exercise," the ministry said.
The Russian side will participate in the coastal phase of the exercise on February 12-14. , In particular, the phase includes measures coordinating interaction and communication, and the participation of the Russian Navy's delegation in an international naval conference.
The marine phase of the Aman 2021 exercise will be held on February 15-16.
"The Aman 2021 exercise aims to strengthen and develop military cooperation between countries participating in the training to the benefit of marine security and stability, and the exchange of practices between Navy men in the deterrence of sea pirates' attacks in the areas of intensive navigation," the ministry said.
The Admiral Grogorovich armed with Kalibr missiles is the head ship of Project 11356. The ship has the displacement of about 4,000 tonnes, its speed is 30 knots. Its endurance is 30 days. The frigate is armed with the Shtil-1 missile system, the 100-mm A-190 gun, air defense guns, torpedoes, and an anti-submarine rocket launcher. The ship can carry an either Kamov Ka-27 of Ka-31 on-deck helicopter.
The Dmitry Rogachyov is a new patrol ship of Project 22160. It has recently joined Russia's Black Sea Fleet.