Russian guided-missile cruiser Varyag, tanker to visit PHL

In line with ongoing efforts to beef up Philippine and Russia defense cooperation, two Russian naval vessels, one the guided-missile cruiser Varyag, will be arriving at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila Thursday for a four-day goodwill visit. (Photo: Alexxx Malev/Facebook)

MANILA—In line with ongoing efforts to beef up Philippine and Russia defense cooperation, two Russian naval vessels, one the guided-missile cruiser Varyag, will be arriving at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila Thursday for a four-day goodwill visit.

Their visit is expected to last until April 23.

Capt. Lued Lincuna, Navy spokesperson, said the Varyag will be accompanied by the large sea tanker Pechenga,.

Both ships are assigned to the Russian Pacific Fleet.

The Varyag is the third ship of the Slava-class of guided-missile cruisers built for the Soviet Navy now serving the Russian Navy.

She was launched in July 1983 and commissioned on Oct. 16, 1989 and presently commanded by Capt. Alexsei U. Ulyanenko.

Varyag has a displacement of 11,490 tons and has length of 611.5 feet and a draft of 27.6 feet.

The ship’s propulsion system consists of four COGOG gas turbines, with two shafts giving it a top speed of 32 knots and a range of 10,000 nautical miles.

It is armed with a variety of anti-ship, anti-aircraft and anti-submarines missiles and gun systems.