MOSCOW. Feb 22 (Interfax) - Russia's Admiral Gorshkov frigate on a long-distance voyage has called on the Richards Bay port in South Africa, the press service for the Russian Northern Fleet said on Wednesday.
"The ship will take part in the celebrations of the Day of the South African Armed Forces and will hold a trilateral exercise with the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) and the Navy of the People's Liberation Army of China," the press service said.
The drill will focus on deterring security threats at sea and demonstrating the fleets' readiness to maintain regional peace and stability together, it said.
Russian Navy Commander Nikolai Yevmenov, who arrived in South Africa the day before, visited the Admiral Gorchkov frigate at the Richards Bay port.
Earlier, the Russian ship called on the South African ports of Cape Town and Durban.
The Admiral Gorshkov frigate went on a voyage to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and the Mediterranean on January 4. Russian President Vladimir Putin presided at the ship's deployment ceremony by video link.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Kama medium-sized sea tanker is accompanying the Admiral Gorshkov on its voyage.
"The Admiral Gorshkov frigate is a modern multirole ship armed with guided missile systems and designed to accomplish missions in distant sea and oceanic zones. The ship armed with Tsirkon missiles is capable of delivering targeted powerful strikes on any targets of the enemy both at sea and on land. The ability for guaranteed penetration of any existent and prospective air and missile defense systems is a specific feature of the Tsirkon hypersonic missiles," the ministry said.
Tsirkon is a new Russian hypersonic missile designed and made by Reutov-based NPO Mashinostroyenia of Tactical Missiles Corporation. Other main attack weapon systems of the Admiral Gorshkov also include Kalibr cruise missiles, a product of Almaz-Antey.