Russia is deploying a warship to Port Moresby for the first time

[logitech]

RUSSIA is deploying a warship to Australia’s doorstep for the first time ever this week.

According to Russia’s state media, a 7000-tonne Perekop training ship loaded with weapons will arrive in Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea on Wednesday.

“The Perekop training ship will make a historic business port call in Port Moresby. This will be the first port call by a Russian military ship in the history of Russian-Papua New Guinean relations,” said Russia’s Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo.

He said the voyage was part of a two-month long mission that included stopovers in Europe and Sri Lanka.

Dr Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst in defence strategy and capability at ASPI, noted that while the training ship itself did not pose a threat to Australia, it symbolised the wider problem of authoritarian powers encroaching on the Pacific.

“It reinforces Russia’s continuing interest in the Pacific, alongside China, and it’s something that Australia needs to be increasingly focused on,” he told news.com.au. “The ship itself is no threat, but the broader intention for both China and Russia to extend their influence, is definitely a cause for concern.”

The warship, with a crew of more than 200 naval cadets, will remain in the area until Saturday.

In a statement to The Australian, Papua New Guinea Foreign Affairs Minister, Rimbink Pato, said the port visit represented a “pre-APEC gesture of friendship” by “some 200 young people” on a ship that “carries only basic armaments”.

“We welcome youth from all APEC member economies prior to — and during — this great event for our country,” Mr Pato said in a statement.

“Naturally, we have informed the Australians, our major security partner and close neighbour, and advised them of the nature of the visit.”

Last December, the Australian Defence Force was on heightened alert after Russian strategic bombers conducted navigation exercises out of an Indonesian military base.

According to the ABC, RAAF Base Darwin was placed on a “short period” of heightened alert during the five-day stopover.