HMAS Canberra intercepted and shadowed the large Soviet cruiser Frunze and her escorts. The Soviet Surface Action Group (SAG) comprised the Kirov Class cruiser Frunze, the Sovremenny Class guided missile destroyer (DDG) Osmotritelny and the Kashin Class DDG Strogiy. The intercept took place following a three day high-speed transit by Canberra through the Indonesian Archipelago and the Malacca Straits. Over the next five days Canberra remained in close company as the Soviets transitted the Malacca and Singapore Straits before entering the South China Sea. During the mission Canberra used her embarked helicopter to gather addtional information. On breaking away from the Soviets, pleasantries from both navies were exchanged as was the practice during Cold War encounters