Russia, France hold joint naval exercises in Sea of Norway

SEVEROMORSK, Russia (AFP) Jul 07, 2003
France and Russia launched joint naval exercises off the coast of Norway Monday involving nuclear submarines for the first time in the history of NATO-Russia cooperation, navy officials said.

"For the first time, nuclear submarines are participating in joint maneouvres between Russia and a NATO country," a Northern Fleet officer told AFP, adding that the exercises would end Thursday.

The Russian naval official, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said the crews of a Russian submarine and a French submarine would test special equipment that aims to prevent collisions between underwater craft.

The French and Russian navies each deployed a nuclear submarine in the Norwegian Sea. The French navy also deployed the Latouche Treville frigate and the Russian navy an anti-submarine warship, the Admiral Chabanenko.

The manoeuvres will test joint defences against submarine and aerial attack and navigation safety.

According to the Russian navy, between 1968 and 1993, there were more than 20 collisions of Soviet or Russian submarines with foreign underwater craft, mainly US and British.

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