Russian frigate conducts anti-submarine drills in South China Sea, tests Pacific Fleet tactics

According to the Reuters agency, citing Russian media, the Russian Pacific Fleet frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov conducted these exercises in the South China Sea. Upon detecting a mock enemy submarine and confirming its coordinates with the helicopter crew, the Russian destroyer launched torpedoes and depth charges.

Interfax, a Russian agency, reported on Monday that "during the search for a hypothetical enemy submarine, the combat crews of the frigate practiced cooperation with the deck helicopter Ka-27 of the naval aviation TOF in a submarine combat scenario." The shelling was conducted in a training manner, following a full action algorithm, though without actual employment of the ship's armament.

The Russian state news agency RIA reported that the Pacific Fleet warships set sail from the port in Vladivostok, situated in the Russian Far East, on January 22. This information was further affirmed by Reuters agency.

Presently, a detachment of Pacific Fleet warships, which includes the flagship missile cruiser Varyag and the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, continue their long-range naval campaign, as reported by the Russian press agency Interfax.

Source: Reuters, Interfax