Russian Navy Training Vessel Smolny Returns to Cape Town Amidst Africa-Asia Voyage
Cape Town, South Africa – August 8, 2024 – the Russian Navy’s Baltic Fleet training vessel, Smolny, has made a return visit to Cape Town, South Africa, as part of an extended training voyage across Africa adn Asia. The arrival marks a continuation of Russia’s naval presence in the region and provides valuable training opportunities for its future naval officers.
The Smolny initiated its current voyage from Kronstadt in late June, carrying approximately 400 personnel, including 200 naval cadets and a contingent of military personnel from allied nations.This voyage is designed to provide practical, real-world experience for these aspiring naval officers.
Prior to arriving in Cape Town, the Smolny completed a series of port calls in several African nations. These included a second visit to Equatorial Guinea on July 20th, followed by Sao Tome and Principe on July 23rd. During these stops, the vessel hosted guided tours for local military personnel, police forces, students, and members of the Russian diaspora, offering insights into the ship’s advanced navigation systems, weaponry, and training facilities.
On July 27th,the Smolny docked in Pointe-Noire,Republic of Congo,for its second visit to the country. This visit facilitated discussions between Russian and Congolese officials regarding the potential for expanded bilateral naval cooperation. The vessel departed Pointe-Noire on July 30th, arriving in Cape Town on August 5th.
Following its South african stop, the Smolny is scheduled to visit Tanzania and Vietnam before concluding its voyage with a return to Vladivostok in late September. Notably, the vessel is currently carrying 15 Tanzanian military students who are participating in the training program.
This isn’t the first time the Smolny has toured African waters. during a similar voyage last year, the vessel visited Cameroon, Benin, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of the Congo, South Africa, Namibia, and Angola, and also extending its reach to Venezuela and Cuba.
The Smolny, the led ship of its class, is a significant vessel, measuring 138 meters in length. It boasts a cruising range of 9,000 nautical miles at a speed of 14 knots and a maximum speed of 20 knots. Its standard displacement is 6,120 tons, and it is equipped with four 76mm guns and two twin 30mm anti-aircraft guns.
Commissioned on June 30, 1976, the Smolny has been a vital training platform for the Russian Navy as 2015, undertaking numerous long-distance voyages to educate cadets from the Russian Defence Ministry’s naval institutions. Over the past half-century, the Smolny has trained approximately 45,000 naval cadets.
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