TEHRAN (IRNA) — Iran and Russia are due to begin joint Navy exercises at North Indian Ocean on Tuesday, Iranian Army spokesman said on Monday.

Iranian and Russian Navy forces and aviation units of the Iranian Army and the IRGC will participate at The Maritime Security Belt Exercise, Gholamreza Tahani, the spokesman for the joint manoeuvres said. The drills themed “Joint Cooperation at the sea for the security of maritime trade” will be staged at an area of 17,000 km, the spokesman said.

Russia has dispatched a destroyer, a logistic warship and a helicopter to the maneuvers, he added.

Mr Tahani stated that the objectives of these naval exercises are to enhance the security of international maritime trade, to combat piracy and maritime terrorism, and to share information on rescue and relief operations.

In late December 2019, Iran, Russia and China held joint naval drills in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman. The manoeuvres lasted four days.