Russia Will Receive 30 Warships of Various Classes, President Putin: Build Naval Strength

JAKARTA - Russia continues to build up its Navy strength which will receive 30 warships of various classes throughout the year, President Vladimir Putin said while attending the Fleet in Navy Day Parade on Sunday in St. Petersburg. Petersburg.

"Today, Russia is confidently implementing the large-scale goals of its national maritime policy and persistently building up the strength of its Navy. This year alone, 30 warships of various classes will join forces," the Russian leader said, reported by TASS, July 31.

This year, the Parade of the Russian Navy Fleet was held on the Neva and Kronshtadt Rivers, which was attended by 45 warships of various classes serving in the Northern, Pacific, Baltic and Black Sea Fleets, as well as about 3,000 troops.

Quoting Reuters, President Putin was accompanied by Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the Russian Naval Staff Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov.

The Kremlin said four African heads of state and representatives of five other African countries attended the event, following the Russia-Africa summit that ended Friday.

Among the new line of warships entering the Russian Navy's service is the Mercury missile corvette named in honor of the sailing ship of the Black Sea Fleet that won glory in the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829, the head of state said.

"It is good that the tradition of naming ships of the Russian Navy has been revived. The St. Peter's Naval Flag is hoisted aboard the new Mercury ship as a sign of our preserved naval traditions, a symbol of the courage, courage and fortitude of sailors," said the President Putin.