Russia yesterday turned over to China the first of two powerful destroyers ordered by the Chinese navy.
The ship, a model from the Sovremenny class, was handed over during a ceremony at the St Petersburg shipyard where it was built, the ITAR-Tass and Interfax news agencies reported.
Chinese sailors will pilot the ship to its base.
The second destroyer will be built late next year, said the shipyard's general director, Valery Venkov, according to Interfax.
China signed an order for the two destroyers in 1997, concluding one of the largest arms deals for Russia in recent years.
The amount of the contract was not made public, but reports from China estimated it at about US$1 billion.
Two shipments of Moskit supersonic anti-ship missiles that can be used on the destroyers will be delivered to China next year, ITAR-Tass reported.
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