MOSCOW. Feb 22 (Interfax) - Russia's Admiral Gorshkov frigate, equipped with Tsirkon hypersonic missiles, will conduct an artillery live-fire exercise together with naval ships of China and South Africa during joint maneuvers in the Indian Ocean, the press service for the Russian Northern Fleet said on Wednesday.
"The active phase of the drills will take place from February 25 to February 27. A joint artillery live-fire exercise and tactical maneuvers will be conducted at sea," the press service said.
Naval crews of these three countries will practice inspection groups' actions to examine and release a seized vessel, as well as helping a vessel in distress and repelling mock enemy air raids, it said.
"The Admiral Gorshkov frigate and the Kama medium-sized sea tanker of the Northern Fleet are representing the Russian Federation at the maneuvers. The Navy of China is being represented by the Rizhao frigate, the Huainan destroyer and the Kekexilihu supply ship, and the Navy of South Africa by the Mendi frigate," it said.
Brazilian Navy representatives will attend the drills as observers, the Northern Fleet said.
As reported, South Africa's Richards Bay port on Wednesday hosted the opening ceremony of the trilateral exercise involving ships of the Russian Navy, the South African National Defense Force and the Navy of the People's Liberation Army of China.
"The opening ceremony was attended by Russian Navy Commander Adm. Nikolai Yevmenov, Chinese Navy Deputy Commander Vice Adm. Li Yujie, South African Joint Operations Deputy Chief Rear Adm. Bubele Mhlana, and other honorary guests," it said.
During his speech at the opening ceremony, Yevmenov noted the Russian Navy's profound interest "in strengthening cooperation between the Russian, Chinese and South African Navies," the press service said.
On January 4, the Admiral Gorshkov embarked on a deployment to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. Russian President Vladimir Putin presided at the ship's deployment ceremony by video link.