In the bustling harbor of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city and economic hub, a vessel from Russia’s Baltic Fleet made its entrance in mid-August 2025, drawing attention from local officials, military personnel, and curious onlookers alike. The training ship Smolny, part of a long-distance voyage aimed at honing the skills of future naval officers, arrived to replenish essential supplies such as fresh water, fuel, and provisions.
This stopover, occurring around August 16, marked the fifth foreign port call for the Smolny during its current expedition, following visits to Malabo in Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Pointe-Noire in the Republic of the Congo, and Cape Town in South Africa. The event wasn’t just a routine logistical pause; it represented a tangible expression of Russia’s expanding maritime presence in Africa, where naval diplomacy serves as a bridge for broader military and political collaboration.
Upon docking, the Smolny’s crew and cadets were greeted by high-ranking figures, including the Russian ambassador to Tanzania and the Tanzanian minister of defense and national service. This formal welcome underscored the mutual respect and shared interests between the two nations. Tanzanian cadets, who had been undergoing practical training aboard the ship as part of their studies at Russia’s Naval Academy, disembarked here for a well-deserved break in their home country. With more than 300 naval cadets participating in the overall voyage, these young trainees represent the next generation of seafaring professionals, gaining hands-on experience in navigation, communication, and ship operations far from their classrooms. The Smolny’s itinerary through African waters highlights Russia’s strategic outreach, using such voyages to build relationships while providing real-world training opportunities.
The Smolny itself is a veteran of the seas, with a design tailored for endurance and education. Commissioned on June 30, 1976, it stands as the lead ship of its class, known in NATO terminology as the Smolnyy class. Measuring 138 meters in length, with a beam of 17.2 meters and a draught of 5.53 meters, the vessel displaces 6,120 tons under standard conditions. Its propulsion system, featuring two Zgoda-Sulzer 12ZV40/48 diesels delivering 16,000 horsepower, allows for a cruising range of 9,000 nautical miles at 14 knots, and it can accelerate to 20 knots when required. For defense, it carries four 76 mm guns and two twin 30 mm anti-aircraft guns, ensuring it can protect itself during extended deployments. Beyond weaponry, the ship is equipped with specialized classrooms, simulator complexes for navigation, and an astronomical deck for celestial observation training. Over nearly five decades, the Smolny has trained approximately 45,000 cadets, making it a cornerstone of Russia’s naval education system. Since 2015, under directives from the Russian Defense Ministry, it has undertaken numerous long-haul voyages, visiting ports across continents to refine cadets’ abilities in diverse environments.
This 2025 voyage began in late June from the Smolny’s home base in Kronstadt, near Saint Petersburg, carrying around 400 personnel, including 200 Russian cadets and foreign trainees from allied nations, such as 15 from Tanzania. The ship’s path through Africa started with Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, where it likely focused on replenishing supplies and engaging in low-key diplomatic exchanges. From there, it proceeded to Sao Tome and Principe on July 23, an island nation in Central Africa. During that stop, the vessel opened its decks to local armed forces, police, students, and the Russian diaspora, allowing tours of its navigation systems, armaments, and training facilities. Such interactions not only demystify the ship but also foster goodwill, as visitors conversed with crew members under the auspices of the Russian embassy.
Next came Pointe-Noire in the Republic of the Congo on July 27, a repeat visit that included meetings between the Smolny’s commander and local officials, such as the prefect and regional military commander. Discussions centered on expanding naval cooperation, with both sides expressing intent to deepen military ties. The ship spent three days there, replenishing stocks and allowing crew recreation before sailing south to Cape Town, South Africa, arriving around August 5. This was Smolny’s second visit to Cape Town in under a year, building on a previous stop in 2024. In Cape Town, the focus was on technical inspections, sightseeing for cadets, and strengthening naval bonds with South African forces. South Africa’s strategic location at the continent’s southern tip, guarding key trade routes like the Cape of Good Hope, makes it a prized partner for Russia, especially amid global shifts in maritime security.