MOSCOW, March 28 (Xinhua) -- A group of six Russian navy warships conducted firing exercises in the South China Sea, the country's Pacific Fleet said Thursday.
"A big anti-submarine ship Admiral Panteleyev has conducted artillery shooting exercises in the South China Sea. The sea targets were destroyed," Pacific Fleet spokesman Roman Martov told local media.
Ka-27 carrier-born helicopters made several sorties in a simulated enemy submarine search. The crews also tested their ships' survival capabilities, Martov said.
The Russian ships, including one big anti-submarine ship, three landing ships, a tanker and a rescue vessel, are on their way to the Gulf of Aden where they will protect navigation against piracy.
This is the ninth mission by the Pacific Fleet to Somali shores.
Strong wind, thunder hit Liuzhou City in S. China's Guangxi