MOSCOW. April 11 (Interfax-AVN) - The ongoing voyage of Russian Navy warships to the Indian Ocean does not pose a threat to any country, it does not put pressure on anybody and only demonstrates the policy of peace-loving, Admiral Vyacheslav Popov, deputy chairman of the defense and security committee in the Federation Council upper house of Russian parliament, said on Friday.
When ships are in the ocean, the country gets a possibility to quickly respond to suddenly emerging problems and threats, Popov told Interfax-Military News Agency, commenting on the voyage. "It means combating piracy and protection of navigation," he noted.
The lawmaker recalled that, the 8th squadron of the Soviet Navy was always in the Indian Ocean and warships escorted large fishing flotillas in the Soviet times.
Popov believes that the Russian Navy has started restoring the practice of long voyages after a long break.
"Russian sailors should restore long-voyage skills, and the command should restore skills in controlling forces in remote areas of the world ocean, Moreover, the voyage of Navy ships is the demonstration of the Navy flag which means the country's presence in the region, as well as demonstration of the nation's interests and capabilities," Popov said.
"The ships will naturally conduct reconnaissance. It is a necessary element in the activity of a ship or a ship unit. This is not a special task, but maintenance of its own security," Popov noted.
A joint exercise with the Indian Navy will take place in the Indian Ocean, too, he stressed. Russian and Indian sailors will practice sailing, rescue operations in the sea and other interaction issues.
"Moreover, the ships will be engaged in combat training in the sea. The unit was formed with the goal to accomplish missions comprehensively," Popov said. The strike force of the unit is the Moskva missile cruiser, combat stability of the unit and air defense missions will be accomplished by the Pytlivy and Smetlivy guard ships, and anti-submarine defense will be overseen by the Admiral Panteleyev and Marshal Shaposhnikov large anti-submarine ships.
A large landing craft apparently carrying marines will accomplish its own mission. The marines are to arrange combat training with range practice, create living conditions suitable for long stays in the sea, and learn to withstand seasickness. It is not ruled out that after returning to Russia, the marines will land on a rough terrain.
The ship unit of the Pacific Fleet left Vladivostok on Sunday while the ship unit of the Black Sea Fleet sailed away on Thursday. The two units will meet near the Sokotra Island in the Indian Ocean.