The Russian Navy has deployed its guided missile cruiser Moskva on a long-range tour of duty to conduct warship exercises in the Indian Ocean, according to a naval official.

The lead ship of the Black Sea Fleet will join the Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered missile cruiser, which left Russia’s Northern Fleet headquarters of Severomorsk on 31 March, according to rianovosti.

A Russian Black Sea fleet spokesman said that Moskva would cross the Mediterranean, pass through the Suez Canal and conduct joint exercises with warships from other Russian fleets, including vessels from the Northern Fleet in the Indian Ocean as part of the tour of duty.

Armaments on the Slava Class missile cruiser include 16 SS-N-12 Sandbox supersonic anti-ship missiles, mounted in four pairs on each side providing the ship with anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.