RUSSIAN NAVY VISITS S'PORE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 115 YEARS

For the first time since 1890, the Russian Navy, led by Deputy Chief of the Russian Pacific Fleet, Vice-Admiral (VADM) Sergey V Avramenko, visited Singapore on 7 Nov.

Speaking to the media at Changi Naval Base, VADM Avramenko said he hoped the visit would pave the way for the Russian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) to train together in future.

Although the Russian Navy has been calling on ports in Asia over the past few decades, it has not had the opportunity to call on Singapore.

"This is the first time," said VADM Avramenko, "the first time we dropped anchor here, the first time we looked into the eyes of each other and the first time we shook hands with each other."

VADM Avramenko led four ships, which included the guided-missile cruiser Varyag and anti-submarine vessel Tributc and 1500 personnel for this visit.

While in Singapore, the Russian delegation had several meetings with RSN officials.

And when will they next visit Singapore?

"Much earlier than 115 years," quipped VADM Avramenko.

The Russian guided-missile cruiser Varyag

VADM Avramenko hosted the media visit to Varyag, a 15-year-old guided-missile cruiser. She is named after a 1904 cruiser and Varyag means "ancient warrior" in Russian.

The ship weighs 11000 tonnes and is 186 metres long. It can ferry up to 500 crew and travel at a maximum speed of 33 knots.

Varyag is armed with several weapon systems like the Cruise missile system, which can launch missiles with a range of 550km, an anti-aircraft missile system and a range of 30mm to 130mm artillery weapons. It also has a K-27 helicopter on board.