Russian, US and UK ships will take part in the Komodo-2025 exercise

The Komodo-2025 naval exercise, which is being conducted by Indonesia, involves ships from Russia, as well as the United States, France, the United Kingdom and a number of other countries. Several tasks will be practiced at this exercise, but the main one is to provide assistance to victims of a humanitarian disaster.

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"Here it is important to pay attention to what countries have become participants and the fact that they have agreed to interact in the exercise together. This is a big shift and a signal intertwined with the latest developments in the foreign policy arena and the new US policy," Admiral Sergei Avakyants, former commander of Russia's Pacific Fleet, told Izvestia.

According to the admiral, Russia has a rich experience of interaction with navies of various countries.

"How it will go this time depends on the staff and coordination of actions. For example, in the mid-1990s we used combat weapons, including mines, bombs and artillery, in joint exercises with the U.S. Navy. Now, most likely, the humanitarian mission, the fight against piracy and joint maneuvering will be practiced," he said.

Avakyants added that it is important for Russia to strengthen not only naval cooperation.

"It is important to deepen all kinds of interaction with the countries of this region, which are complementary and positive toward us. The exception is the closest allies of the United States, that is, English-speaking Australia and New Zealand," he specified.

The Komodo exercises are held every few years. This year they will be held from February 16 to 22, 2025. They will involve Australia, Indonesia, France, India, Japan, Russia, the UK, the US, Vietnam, China and a number of other countries.