During a recent training exercise in the Black Sea, a Be-12 anti-submarine amphibious aircraft conducted a simulated bombardment of a sea target while actively searching for Ukrainian unmanned surface vessels. The incident was reported by RIA News, describing how the crew of the Be-12 and accompanying Ka-29 helicopter engaged in joint drills that tested both detection and response capabilities in a maritime environment.
According to the broadcast, the Ka-29 helicopter’s crew also practiced precision fire, focusing on a moving sea target with a machine gun. This collaboration between the amphibious aircraft and the helicopter highlights a coordinated approach to maritime reconnaissance, target acquisition, and fire support in coastal zones and open water.
The Be-12 remains an anti-submarine and maritime patrol aircraft designed to locate and counter underwater threats while maintaining the ability to operate from land-based airfields or directly from the surface of the water. The Ka-29 helicopter, on the other hand, serves as a transport and combat platform for naval units, enabling rapid disembarkation from ships, providing supportive fire as needed, and transporting various cargo on short-range missions.
According to a statement from the defense ministry, pilots within the amphibious Be-12 executed a simulated bombing run on a sea target, while the Ka-29 crew carried out machine gun firing drills aimed at a moving vessel. The officials noted that the exercise involved engaging a moving naval target and included a patrol segment before both aircraft returned to their respective airfields for debriefing and post-mission checks.
In a separate earlier operation in the Bryansk region, authorities neutralized a target described as the “Rubaku” aircraft with explosives, underscoring ongoing efforts to test aerial and maritime response capabilities across different theaters. The report emphasizes repeated demonstrations of air-sea coordination, surface threat mitigation, and patrol readiness as part of broader defense exercises.