Moscow – The Russian navy has initiated the vast Ocean 2024 strategic drills, slated to continue until September 16, as part of a significant operational and combat training endeavor, the defense ministry disclosed on Tuesday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the defense ministry described the exercise as “one of the most important events of the Russian armed forces’ operational and combat training in 2024.” Over 400 warships, submarines, and support vessels, alongside more than 120 naval aircraft and 7,000 units of weaponry, military, and special hardware, are participating. The drills also mobilize over 90,000 personnel.
The extensive exercises span the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, and the Mediterranean, Caspian, and Baltic Seas. The drills aim to test the readiness of the Russian Navy’s senior staff in commanding all-arms groups of forces and their capability to tackle non-standard operational tasks. Additionally, these drills provide a platform for the Russian forces to practice using high-precision and modern weapons systems.
The ministry also highlighted that the Ocean 2024 exercises seek to “expand cooperation with the navies of partner countries to perform joint maritime missions.”