Thanks to an invitation that Russia’s military attaché to Singapore extended to the Singapore Maritime Heritage Interest Group, I was able to have a look on board the Russian guided missile cruiser, the Varyag. 186 metres in length and displacing 11,490 tonnes, the flagship of the Russia’s Pacific Fleet was in port as the lead ship of the fleet’s task force. She was accompanied by an Udaloy-class destroyer (large anti-submarine ship) Admiral Panteleyev and a tanker, the Boris Butoma.
The Russian Navy Slava-class Cruiser Varyag, seen during IMDEX Asia 2017.
The Varyag dates back to the close of the Soviet era. Built at Nikolayev in the Ukraine, she was originally the “Chernova Ukraina“, when christened at her launch in 1983. The third ship of the Slava-class of destroyers, the Varyag was to have been deployed in the Black Sea following her commissioning in late 1989. With the Soviet Union on the verge of a breakup, the destroyer was deployed instead to the Pacific Fleet and in 1996, renamed the Varyag – the fourth ship in service in the Russian or Soviet navy to be so named. Much is apparently attached to the name, initially reserved for another ship of the class that was not built, in Russian naval tradition. This I would learn about from the ship’s compact but rather interesting museum.
Another of the Varyag during IMDEX 2017.
The Battle of Chemulpo Bay (via RT).
A reference to the Varangians or the Vikings or the Rus, who came to rule over the area’s Slavic peoples (the Rus lent their name to Russia and Belarus), the name “Varyag” evokes an great sense of pride and perhaps nationalism among the Russians and in particular Russia’s naval personnel. This is due to the actions of the crew of the second Varyag, whose heroic actions at the start of the Russo-Japanese war in 1904, are held in the highest regard.
Rather than bow down against a Japanese naval force that was vastly superior both in terms of armament and numbers in the Bay of Chemulpo (present day Incheon), the personnel on the Russian protected cruiser bravely took them on. The United States built ship was apparently battered during the encounter and the personnel on board chose to scuttle the ship rather than surrender.
The ship would be salvaged and eventually find her way back into Russian hands by way of the Japanese, who repaired the re-floated vessel and put her to use as a training ship before selling her back to Russia in 1916. The Varyag would however, never be deployed by the Russians again. Whilst in England for repairs, Russia found itself in the grips of Bolshevik Revolution. Work was halted and the Varyag would later be sold for scrap. On her way to the breakers, Varyag came to a rather unglorious end in the Irish Sea, running aground before sinking. There are several online sources at which the story of the second Varyag can be found, including this 2014 Russia Beyond article: No surrender – The stirring story of the cruiser Varyag.
A pair of Anti-Ship Missile launchers – the Varyag is equipped with 8 pairs.
A decoy launcher on the Varyag.
The current Varyag seems much more capable, and able to hold her own. As is typical in the warships of the former Eastern bloc, an array of armament leaves little space on her topsides – which the group was able to have a look at.
The AK-130 Twin Gun.
On her foredeck, a twin 130 mm gun is mounted. Anti-ship missile launchers, 4 pairs on either side of the deckhouse, are quite prominent. There are also her Close-in weapon systems (CIWS), torpedo tubes, decoy launchers and anti-submarine mortar launchers clearly on display. Less obvious are her vertical launched long range Surface-to-Air missiles and pop-up Surface-to-Air missile launchers, found on the mid and aft decks. A heli-deck is found on the aft deck, with correspondence provided to a hangar at the end of the aft house down a ramp built into the deck.
The Varyag is the only ship in the Russian naval fleet that flies a unique ensign.
Besides visiting the Varyag and her on-board museum, the group was also able to have a look at the main deck of the Alexander Panteleyev. Photographs of the destroyer can be found at the end of this post.
The Varyag’s helideck.
A ramp connects the helideck to the ship’s hangar.
Another view of the decoy launcher.
The ship’s bell.
Passageway in between the deckhouse and the Anti-Ship Missile launchers along the ship’s sides.
A view across to the Admiral Panteleyev and her 30mm CIWS.
A coil of rope placed on each side of the ship’s gangway – apparently a Russian naval tradition.
The Varyag’s Museum
The recovered ensign of the second Varyag.
A panel providing information on the Battle of Chemulpo Bay.
A model of the US built protected cruiser sunk in 1904.
The last Soviet-era naval ensign to be flown – seen with the now provocative St. George’s Stripes.
Photographs of the Admiral Panteleyev, an Udaloy-class Destroyer accompanying the Varyag
The Admiral Panteleyev, an Udaloy-class Destroyer, which accompanied the Varyag.
A Kamov KA-27 helo on the deck of the Admiral Panteleyev.
The helo control room of the Admiral Panteleyev.
Torpedo tubes on the Admiral Panteleyev.
Anti-submarine mortar launchers on the Admiral Panteleyev..
100 mm calibre guns on the foredeck.
Another view of the 100 mm gun.
Vertical launched Surface-to-Air Missiles.
Anti-Submarine Missile Launcher.
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