VLADIVOSTOK. Dec 3 (Interfax-AVN) - The Pacific Fleet will hold a large-scale military exercise in mid-2005, Admiral Viktor Fyodorov, fleet commander, told reporters on Friday.
He did not specify the theme of the exercise and the composition of forces to be involved, saying only that "it will be similar to those held in the fleet in summer this year."
The Pacific Fleet took part in a large-scale command post exercise in August 2004. It involved over 70,000 people, about 100 ships of various purpose, and over 70 aircraft.
The fleet generally accomplished combat training missions in the previous term of instruction, Fyodorov said.
"A failure occurred only at the end of the term, in September, when we failed to complete combat training missions due to reduced fuel limits. This did not allow us to hold comprehensive combat training," he stressed.
According to him, the fleet's funding and material facilities will again be strictly limited in the new term of instruction. "Plans are serious, but funds are limited, and plans will be impossible to realize if funds are not used rationally," the commander said.
The fleet's ships will make oceanic voyages and visit Vietnam, Singapore, China and Indonesia in mid-January, he added.