Norway, Russia discussed Arctic naval interaction
Norwegian top military delegation visited the Kola Peninsula this week.
The delegation was led by Deputy Commander of Norway’s Joint headquarters, Maj. Gen. Morten Lunde. Commander of Russia’s Northern fleet Vice Admiral Vladimir Korolev had invited the Norwegians to visit the 61st naval infantry regiment in Sputnik, not far from the border to Norway.
The delegation were shown arms and assets of the Northern fleet’s coastal troops and were offered to test their shooting skills by firing Makarov guns, Kalashnikov rifles and machneguns, reports the portal RusNavy.
At the protocol meeting the military officials discussed Russian-Norwegian naval interaction in the Arctic region and provisional plans for increased bilateral cooperation.
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In May, the two countries arranged the joint naval exercise POMOR-2011 in the waters of the Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea, involving naval vessels, aircrafts and naval infantry.
After visiting the Sputnik garrison the delegation went to Severomorsk-3 air base and Safonovo naval town north of Murmansk. Later they boarded the anti-submarine vessel “Admiral Levchenko.”
It is expected that joint exercises like the POMOR, will be followed up with new joint naval exercises in northern waters in the years to come.
