Russian and Egyptian Navies set to conduct a joint exercise in the Black Sea as announced by Russia’s Defense Ministry. The exercise, dubbed “Friendship Bridge 2020,” will be the first-ever joint naval drill between the two countries in the Black Sea and is projected to take place before the end of 2020.
The two navies will be accompanied by aircraft and will work out joint tasks to protect sea routes from various threats against both nations. While there have been tensions between Egypt and Turkey, Egypt’s vessels will pass through Turkey’s Bosphorus Strait on their way to the Black Sea.
The exercises will include maneuvers to deploy troops and return supplies at sea and search suspicious ships. The navies will conduct training in all types of defense at sea, launching missiles and artillery using shipborne weapons.
Russia has been strengthening its ties in Africa and the exercise is a step at cementing her allyship while at the same time serving the security and stability at sea and exchanging experience in fighting various threats in busy shipping lanes. Additionally, Russia is seeking to position itself as a more favorable partner to Middle Eastern countries than the United States and sees opportunity in Egypt.
