Russian Navy Sends Nuclear Cruiser to Indian Ocean

The Russian Navy has deployed its nuclear-powered Pyotr Veliky cruiser on a tour of duty in the Indian Ocean.

A Russian Navy northern fleet spokesman said the ship would conduct manoeuvres in the Indian Ocean with ships from the Black Sea fleet, and dock in ports on the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, according to rianovosti.

The ship will pass through the Atlantic and Mediterranean waters, and enter the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal, the spokesman said.

According to northern fleet commander Vice-Admiral Nikolai Maksimov, the ship is ready to begin its mission and its tour-of-duty will be not shorter than its previous one, which lasted six months.

During the 2008 deployment, the navy's fourth Kirov Class battle cruiser operated in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans.