The exercises have included live-fire practice, ship inspections, and anti-aircraft defense scenarios in the Mediterranean Sea
The Russian Navy and the Egyptian Naval Forces have concluded a joint exercise in the Mediterranean Sea, the press service of Russia’s Northern Fleet reported on Monday.
The ‘Friendship Bridge – 2025’ drills, which took place from April 6 to 10, saw the participation of a Russian Ka-27 naval helicopter, the frigate Admiral Golovko, and the tanker Vyazma. On the Egyptian side, the frigate Al Galala, missile boats Fuad Zekri and Mahmoud Fahmy, and F-16 fighter aircraft were involved in the training.
The military exercise included both onshore and at sea stages. The first phase took place in the port of Alexandria, where crews from both nations held a series of briefings.
“The participants discussed the order and sequence of exercises, formation of an inter-national warship unit, joint maneuvers, execution of artillery fire and a number of other elements of interaction,” the press service said.
During the coastal training, marines from the Russian Northern Fleet joined their Egyptian counterparts in live-fire exercises using standard-issue weaponry at a shooting range. The troops also rehearsed procedures for inspecting ships.
Once at sea, the exercises shifted focus to maritime defense tactics. According to the press release, “sailors worked out the elements of defense of ships from naval fast-moving means and training on anti-aircraft defense, reflecting the attack of aircraft of a fictitious enemy, the role of which was performed by F-16 aircraft of the Egyptian Air Force.”
In addition, the joint forces carried out ship inspections, live artillery fire at a maritime target, and search-and-rescue operations to locate and assist distressed vessels.
According to the Northern Fleet’s statement, personnel from both countries “demonstrated a high level of professionalism, coherence and willingness to work together.”
The first Russian-Egyptian naval exercise, ‘Friendship Bridge’, was held in 2015, with Russia’s Northern Fleet taking part in the drills for the first time.
In June of last year, the Russian missile cruiser Varyag and the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov made a port call in Alexandria. During that visit, the two nations’ naval forces held joint training that focused on tactical maneuvering, communications testing, and enhancing technical cooperation.