BSF flagship met Petr Veliky in Indian Ocean

28.04.2010 Nuclear-powered cruiser Petr Veliky and missile cruiser Moskva started performing tasks in Indian Ocean jointly, reports Rosbalt referring to defense ministry press center.

Prior to that, the cruisers had been completing their missions separately. Having met each other, the two flagships are supposed to practice interaction at the ocean cruise, and conduct combat training activities including joint maneuvering and cooperative flights of deck-based aviation.

Cruiser Moskva had previously completed a visit to Sultanate of Oman. Meeting with commissioned staff, Russian ambassador Sergei Ivanov reminded that the port was visited by cruisers Varyag and Avrora in their time. Russian sailors paid a courtesy visit to S. Korean destroyer Sunshin moored at the same pier with Russian cruiser.

It is noteworthy that BSF flagship conducts a long-range cruise for the first time within recent 7 years.

Petr Veliky is a 3rd generation heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser. As of 2010, this is the world's largest non-carrying warship primarily designed for destruction of enemy's carrier strike groups. The cruiser is Northern Fleet's flagship. She was laid down in 1986 and commissioned in 1998. Cruising endurance is 60 days (food supplies); 3 years (fuel); unlimited (nuclear reactor). The cruiser's nuclear power plant is capable to supply a city with population up to 200,000 people with electricity and warmth. The crew is 635 men.

Moskva is a missile cruiser, Black Sea Fleet's flagship. The cruiser's purpose is destruction of enemy's large surface ships; air defense; fire support of landing troops; providing combat stability of ASW task units. Moskva was launched in 1979. Since 1990 till 1999 she was under permanent repair. In Aug 2008 the cruiser was involved in armed conflict against Georgia within Abkhazian water zone.