MOSCOW. April 3 (Interfax) - Control inspections have started involving live fire drills of ships and ground units, as well as the use of airborne weapons by aircraft, the Russian Baltic Fleet has said.
The checks are being conducted following the winter training period and will last for several weeks, the Baltic Fleet's press service said on Monday.
"During the control checks, which will take place in the Baltic Fleet for several weeks, the fleet's ships will practice various elements of course tasks at naval ranges, hold preparatory and qualifying exercises, during which they will shoot at maritime, aerial and coastal targets," the press service said.
"As part of the exercise, the flight personnel of the Baltic Fleet's naval aviation units will demonstrate their individual training skills, their ability to perform their assigned tasks with the practical use of aerial assets of warfare," the fleet said.
"The troops of formations and military units of the Army Corps will conduct test live fire drills from small arms and weaponry of BMP-2 and BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, T-72B3 tanks, BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, as well as Gvozdika, Akatsiya, MSTA-S self-propelled artillery units, Grad multiple rocket launchers, Podnos mortars and other weapons," the statement reads.
The Baltic Fleet's air defense forces will be tested for fire and special training skills, and will hold various training sessions and drills involving the use of air defense missile systems of various modifications, the military said.