Article Posted on : - Aug 06, 2010

The Russian Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser. A file photo.

NEW DELHI (BNS): Russian Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser will visit the Mormugao port of Goa in India, on August 6-11, a media report said.

According to RIA Novosti, the Pyotr Veliky will also conduct a naval exercise ‘PASSEX’ with the Indian Talwar class missile frigate INS Trishul.

During the five day visit, the warships will practice joint manoeuvring and carry out several communications drills.

The warship is 251 meters long and has a displacement of between 24000 and 26000 tonnes. The ship has the capability to sail with a speed of 31 knots (almost 57 km/hr) with more than 700 crew members onboard.

Mormugao is the only port on the India's western coast that allows nuclear-powered warship's visit.

The Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser is the most largest and powerful warship in Russian Navy.

The flagship will replenish water and food supplies in the Indian port, before returning to its home base on the Barents Sea coast from large-scale naval drills in the Pacific Ocean, the report said.

Earlier in 2009, the Russian cruiser had visited Mormugao to take part in joint anti-piracy naval drills with Indian Navy called ‘INDRA-2009’.