Kazakhstan kicks off three-day naval drills in Caspian Sea

Kazakhstan is holding a three-day command and staff exercise in the Caspian Sea to prevent possible threats.

Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces Rear Admiral Saken Bekzhanov is supervising the exercise held jointly with the Air Force and the rapid response group of the directorate of the National Security Committee's Border Service in the western Mangistau Region, Kazakhstan Today reported on August 18. 

"The level of preparedness of command and control units, commanders of subdivisions of the Naval Forces' subordinate units will be checked during the exercise. Specific attention will be paid to improving the practical skills of commanders to prepare for and conduct combat operations, and organise cooperation and comprehensive support," Bekzhanov said.

The exercise would be held in three stages, and it includes practical measures aimed at organising all types of security and defence of the base, the ports of Aktau and the Northern Terminal, and maritime economic facilities.

"The crews of the Mangistau missile and artillery ship, the Alatau minesweeper ship and the Zhayyk hydrographic survey vessel are practising in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea actions to repel attacks by suicide boats, unmanned aerial vehicles and aerial threats of an enemy. The marines will inspect a 'suspicious' ship as well as organise the search for and rescue of the emergency ship damaged in a battle," the report added.