50 Pacific Fleet vessels to take part in exercise

    VILYUCHINSK, September 13 (Itar-Tass) - More than 50 Pacific Fleet
vessels will take part in manoeuvres in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) and
the Sea of Okhotsk, commander of troops and forces in Russia's northeast
Rear Admiral Konstantin Maklov told reporters.
    "More than 50 vessels of the Pacific Fleet will drill teaming up to
counteract international terrorism, in the course of the drills in the Sea
of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, as well as in the north-western part of
the Pacific Ocean," Maklov said.
    Taking part in the manoeuvres will be 35 support vessels, up to 50
aircraft and helicopters, and up to 10,000 servicemen and civilians. The
active phase of the exercise, which began in August, will continue until
the end of September, according to the rear admiral.
    "The main objective of the drill is to practice actions to intercept
piracy and poaching, and prevent sabotage by extremist organizations at
oil and gas complex facilities located in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of
Okhotsk," Maklov underlined, adding that "the manoeuvres are part of the
Pacific Fleet's training plan for 2011."