Russia will anchor its warship in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for the first time in the modern history of the two nations, the Russian media announcement.
Analysts say the move shows Russia is increasingly interested in the Pacific after it landed 100 personnel in Biak, Papua, and flew two nuclear-powered Tu-95 bombers in the South Pacific on their first training mission there for several days late last year.
The visit of the fighter could have made 'excited' Australia, and raises the alertness of their military base in Darwin.
Now, the Perekop trainer with load capacity of 7000 tons belonging to Russia will stop in Port Moresby, carrying 200 cadets and armed with anti-submarine rockets and anti-aircraft weapons. The ship will arrive in Port Moresby on Wednesday and will be anchored there until Saturday, Russian state media reported, quoting Russian naval spokesman Igor Dygalo.
The ship is on a two-month long mission that began in April and has stopped in Europe and Sri Lanka. The Russian defense ministry said the purpose of the mission was to exercise for cadets in navigation.
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