Russia’s navy has said it will join a military exercise next year that will become its first joint drill with NATO countries in 10 years.
In a statement on Thursday, Russia’s Southern Military District said the country’s navy would participate in the Aman-2021 exercise that is due to take place in February off the coast of Pakistan.
A total of 30 countries will take part in the drills, with 10 engaging their fleets and the rest sending observers.
The participating countries include Russia, Pakistan, China and Japan, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported, citing a statement from the Black Sea fleet that will be representing Russia at the exercise.
The drills will also involve the NATO member fleets of the United Kingdom, the United States, and Turkey, the report added.
The last time Russia’s navy participated in drills with NATO warships was in 2011 during the Bold Monarch exercise off the coast of Spain, Russian state news agency TASS reported.