The Russian Navy will participate in joint naval exercises with the Egyptian Navy in the Mediterranean Sea, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday. 

A group of combat vessels from the Russian Pacific Fleet, including the Varyah missile cruiser and the Marshal Shaposhnikov frigate, have left for the Egyptian port of Alexandria to engage in the joint exercise with the Egyptian Navy, the ministry said.

On the other hand, the Egyptian Navy will be represented by the ENS Al-Qadeer frigate.  

The ministry further specified that the Egyptian Navy will be represented by the frigate ENS Al-Qadeer during the drills.

The exercises will be conducted to ensure that the two navies are able to communicate and cooperate in times of war or humanitarian relief. 

The navies will focus on mastering combat coordination techniques between the fleets of different nations. The drills will include elements of joint maneuvering, communication training, and inspection actions.

Moreover, describing the visit as a "business call", the ministry said the warships will host Egyptian naval representatives before engaging in various exercises with Cairo's own vessels that will include "elements of joint maneuvering, conduct communications and inspection training."

The drills come in line with a series of joint military drills between the two countries to bolster their relations, following President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's rise to power. 

In November 2020, Russia and Egypt conducted their first joint naval exercises in the Black Sea to mark the Bridge of Friendship 2020 program between the two nations.

This year's exercise will see the two navies operate near the Suez Canal, the strategic maritime infrastructure that has linked world trade since its completion in 1869.

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