NATO-Russia Military Cooperation in 2007 June Update

This update summarizes activities from the first half of 2007

Exercises and training.

The NATO school in Oberammergau, Germany organized a course attended by Russian officers on planning, preparation and conduct of NATO Peace Support Operations.
Two conferences took place, one on NATO Network Enabling Capability and the other on Familiarization with NATO nation training and preparation to Peace Keeping operations and Peace Supporting Operations.
There were also seminars on ‘Asymmetric threat and Force Protection’. One of the seminars was conducted as an exploratory seminar in order to plan a Combined Joint NATO-Russia Exercise and Command Post Exercise (2008-2010).
The Main Planning Conference for Exercise Cooperative Longbow was conducted in April. The aim of the exercise is to promote the interoperability of PfP/RUS Forces.

Search & Rescue at Sea.

The Working Group on Command and Control discussed subjects on Automated Identification Systems at Sea and on NATO’s Maritime Situational Awareness system. Russian participants presented a very impressive presentation on the ‘Lessons Learned‘ from Russia’s support (Russian Federation Ship PITLIVY) to Operation Active Endeavour, These lessons will be useful in preparation for the Russian support to Operation Active Endeavour later this year.
Russia participated in the Work Group dealing with helicopter operations from ships. The Submarine Escape and Rescue Working Group is working towards cooperation in the triennial NATO Search and Rescue Live Exercise ‘Bold Monarch’ planned for 2008). This work of experts, both technical and operational, builds mutual confidence.

Naval cooperation.

Several activities have already been conducted to prepare the support of the Russian Federation Ship LADNIY in NATO’s Operation Active Endeavour. A Secure Maritime Communications course was organized in order to enable non-NATO nations to operate with NATO’s Communication system. Another course was organized on NATO Maritime Communications in general and how communications architecture is planned for operations.

Logistics.

Officers from the Russian Federation Ministry of Defence participated at the fuels interoperability workshop to consider the technical implications of a practical exercise aiming to examine the interoperability. A high level logistic talk meeting was looking for on the way ahead for NATO-Russia Cooperation and will be continued.