"The training exercises are not scheduled to take part in the Gulf," Ivanov was quoted as saying in the Belarus capital.

However, Ivanov did not address reports that Russia was still likely to send its navy to the Arabian Sea near the Gulf region where the United States is leading a war against Iraq, which Moscow has furiously opposed.

Russian navy officials had earlier announced that at least two fleets -- the Pacific and the Black Sea -- would stage exercises in the Indian Ocean next month.

It was not immediately clear how many vessels would take part in the exercises.

SPACE.WIRE