MOSCOW. April 14 (Interfax) - The surprise readiness check of the Russian Pacific Fleet will be held in three stages, Russian General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov said.
"This is a three-stage check. The Pacific Fleet will be put on full alert at the first stage," Gerasimov said at a meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry on Friday.
Operations will be planned and the readiness of air defense and air force units accomplishing missions together and in the interests of the Pacific Fleet will be checked at the first stage, he said.
"As the forces are put on high alert, permanent readiness forces will be deployed from bases to combat training areas during the second stage," Gerasimov said.
"Air defense will be enhanced through deployment of reserve air defense missile battalions of air defense missile regiments to endangered areas and their placement on combat duty," he said.
Emphasis will be put on timely deployment of ships to concentration areas and air defense enhancement at the second stage, Gerasimov said.
"Additionally, combat stability of strategic submarines and their readiness for engagement will be controlled," he said.
"At the third stage, combat training missions will be accomplished consistent with the decisions regarding engagement of fleet forces," Gerasimov said.