Russia Navy's Smolny class ship Perekop visits Cuba.

According to a tweet published by RaptorIntel on July 11, 2023, the Russian Navy Project 887 (Smolny class) training ship Perekop makes a port call in Havana, Cuba.
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Russian Project 887 training ship Perekop. (Picture source: newsplay)

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union (now Russia) and Cuba were close allies, united in their opposition to the United States. Their naval relationship was especially significant, as the Soviet Union provided Cuba with financial aid, military equipment, and naval training, turning it into a formidable military power in the Caribbean region.

The most notable instance of their naval cooperation was during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, when Soviet ships transported nuclear missiles to Cuba, sparking a tense standoff with the U.S.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia's economic and military aid to Cuba decreased dramatically, leading to a cooling in their relationship.

However, the relationship began to shift again in the mid-2000s as Russia, under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, started reasserting itself on the global stage.

This period saw a resurgence of Russian interest in its old ally. While not returning to Cold War levels, Russian naval ships started making port calls in Havana once again after years of absence.

About the training ship

Perekop has a full load displacement of 7,270 tons and measures 138 m (453 ft) in length. It boasts a beam of 17.2 m (56 ft) and a draught of 5.53 m (18.1 ft).

The ship operates on 2 shaft diesel propulsion, producing 16,000 hp (12,000 kW). It can reach a speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) and boasts an impressive range of 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km; 10,000 mi) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph).

The Smolnyy-class training ship has the capacity to accommodate 132 personnel, 30 instructors, and 300 cadets. As for the ship's sensor and processing systems, it is equipped with an Angara-M/Head Net-C 3-D air search radar and a Shelon hull-mounted MF sonar. Additionally, it has a Cat Watch intercept for electronic warfare and decoys.

In terms of armament, this ship carries 4 × 76 mm (3 in) guns housed in two twin turrets, two twin 30 mm anti-aircraft guns, and one RBU-2500 ASW rocket launcher.