For the first time Russia's diesel submarine of the Pacific Fleet to visit Japan as part of a squadron

For the first time in the history of the Russian-Japanese military diplomacy the Varshavyanka diesel submarine of the Pacific Fleet will make a friendly visit as part of a squadron to the country of the rising sun.

As RIA Novosti learned from the fleet staff, on October 1st a squadron of combat ships will leave Vladivostok, the main base of the Pacific Fleet,for Japan. It comprises the Varyag missile cruiser, a high-speed guided-missile boat and the Varshavyanka diesel submarine. The visit of the squadron of the Russian vessels devoted to the 50th anniversary of Japan's self-defence forces will be conducted under the flag of Admiral Viktor Fyodorov, Commander of the Pacific fleet.

The Russian combat ships will take part in the international naval parade. About 50 vessels of sea powers are expected to take part in it.

The forthcoming Japan visit of the squadron of the Pacific Fleet ships will be the fourth for the past five years. In the summer of 1997 the Admiral Vinogradov large anti-submarine ship visited Japan and in 1999 the Admiral Panteleyev large anti-submarine ship visited the Yokosuka naval base, and in September 2001 the Admiral Tributs anti-submarine ship paid a visit to the port of Sasebo.