Russian warships conducted firing exercise in Indian Ocean

06.05.2010 Russian task unit consisting of heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Petr Veliky and Guard missile cruiser Moskva conducted air defense tactical firing exercise in the eastern part of Indian Ocean on Thursday, reports RIA Novosti.

According to the exercise scenario, "enemy" helicopters started attacking the cruisers from considerable distance. For deception of the enemy, Petr Veliky successfully laid a smoke screen.

"Aerial enemy was imitated by shipborne helicopters, our Ka-27 and that of cruiser Moskva. They were dispatched to the waiting area and upon command simulated attack upon the ships", said Capt 2 rank Kirill Krivets, weapons officer of Petr Veliky.

As for him, shipborne SAM systems imitated fire upon "enemy" helicopters using target data received by radars.

"When those tasks were finished, helicopters flew to waiting area from firing zone; Petr Veliky performed live firing upon simulated aerial target by AK-130 gun system", said Krivets.

He explained that such firings are needed to maintain combat capabilities during long-term ocean cruises.

"Firing upon simulated targets is simple, so done perfectly. Main thing was to check operability of hardware and preparedness of crewmen for firing. Generally, the ship proved her readiness to repel aerial attacks", said weapons officer.

130-mm multipurpose coaxial gun system AK-130 is capable to hit targets at the distance up to 24 km. Firing rate is 20-80 rounds per minute. Weight of common projectile is 27 kg. Ready-for-fire load is 180 shells. Fire direction system allows tracking and firing upon two targets simultaneously.

General-purpose counterweapon means were also applied in the exercise; for instance, shipborne decoy dispensing system PK-12 which constitutes a 150-mm coaxial gun.

Heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Petr Veliky is a flagship of Northern Fleet; the ship sailed off Naval Base Severomorsk on March 30 to participate in large-scale ocean exercise along with Russian task force. Port calls and joint drills with Russia's military partners are scheduled during the cruise. Petr Veliky is the world's biggest non-carrying warship.

BSF flagship Guard missile cruiser Moskva sailed off Sevastopol on Apr 9 to conduct exercise in the World Ocean. At present, the ship continues to perform tasks in Indian Ocean.

Cruiser Moskva is the lead ship of Project 1164 Atlant which comprised first six Soviet cruisers powered by gas turbines. In Feb 1983 the cruiser was commissioned into Red Banner's Black Sea Fleet.