A task force from Russia’s Pacific Fleet is getting ready to travel to the Gulf of Aden from Vladivostok later this month to take part in anti-piracy operations, a fleet spokesman said.

The Admiral Panteleyev destroyer, a salvage tugboat and a tanker will replace an existing task force, led by the Admiral Vinogradov destroyer, which has been involved in the anti-piracy operation off the coast of Somalia since the start of the year.

The Admiral Panteleyev is an Udaloy class missile destroyer, armed with anti-ship missiles, 30-mm and 100-mm guns, and Ka-27 Helix helicopters.