Jakarta - Saba:
Russian and Indonesian naval forces have conducted their first joint exercises under the name ‘Uroda 2024’ from today to 8 November in Surabaya, the capital of Indonesia's East Java province.
The event was announced in August and will be the first bilateral exercise between the two countries' navies since Indonesia gained independence 79 years ago.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Sergey Tulchinov said: ‘Military cooperation is a natural part of relations between the two countries, and I am particularly pleased to note that there are very deep and sincere ties between the Indonesian and Russian navies.
The naval manoeuvres that will take place these days in Surabaya and the Java Sea will undoubtedly become a good confirmation of the strong communication and friendship between our peoples.’
It is noteworthy that the ‘Uruda 2024’ exercise will include two phases: The first at the naval base - Surabaya harbour, and the second at sea in the waters of the Java Sea.
Earlier, a detachment of ships from the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet docked at the Tanggung Perak port in the Indonesian city of Surabaya on the eve of the start of the bilateral manoeuvres.
The Russian naval group includes three frigates, the Gromki, Rezki and Aldar Tsedenshabov, as well as the support and supply ship Pechenga.
The joint naval exercises with Indonesia are a signal to Indonesia's unfriendly neighbours that we are ready to provide assistance, said Alexei Antsiferov, commander of the Russian naval group.
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