The flagship of the Russian Pacific Fleet, Guards’ missile cruiser Varyag (photo), will undergo a modernization until 2020, a source in the Russian defense industry said.

“An overhaul and modernization of the Pacific Fleet's Guards missile cruiser Varyag will be carried out in the period until 2020,” the source told RIA Novosti.

He added that the modernization implies equipping of the cruiser with new radioelectronic weapons, and upgrading of the propulsion system.

The Varyag is a Slava-class guided missile cruiser commissioned in 1989.

It was designed as surface strike ship with anti-air and anti-submarine warfare capability, and has a primary armament of sixteen P-1000 Vulkan nuclear-capable supersonic cruise missiles. (Sputnik)

Meanwhile, The Russian Navy high command and representatives of leading shipbuilding enterprises discussed the outlook for submarine and above-water shipbuilding during a recent conference in Saint Petersburg, the Russian Navy's Deputy Commander-in-Chief for armament said.

“The look of deep-sea surface ships, including potential Leader class destroyers and next generation submarines, as well as the look of separate test pieces of weaponry, starting from robot-assisted equipment and finishing with radar systems and illumination devices, were the topics of discussion,” Vice Adm. Viktor Bursuk said.

Nearly 50 Heads of military industrial enterprises and design bureaus, and over 200 Navy Admirals and Officers took part in the conference which was held last week under the tile: “The Future Face of the Maritime Structure of the Naval Fleet for the Solution of Tasks in Oceanic and Maritime Zones.”

According to Bursuk, the conference was a good opportunity for the military and manufacturers to exchange views and experience of using the new ships and submarines and to discuss future needs.