Russian nuclear battlecruiser Admiral Nakhimov to begin sea trials in November with new hypersonic missiles.

During the Russian Fleet-2024 exhibition on June 20, 2024, USC CEO Andrei Puchkov provided updates on the Admiral Nakhimov, a Russian Project 1144.2M nuclear-powered battlecruiser now featuring the new universal naval firing system (UKSK) 3S14, which enables it to carry Kalibr, Oniks, or Zircon missiles. The vessel, which is undergoing extensive modernization at the Sevmash enterprise, part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), is scheduled to commence sea trials in November 2024. Puchkov indicated that the sequence and timing of these tests align with the cruiser's overall repair schedule, with the first sea departure planned for November following the completion of all mooring tests.
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The Admiral Nakhimov, originally named Kalinin, was built at the Baltic Shipyard in Leningrad as the third battlecruiser of the Russian Navy's Kirov class, officially designated as the Project 1144 Orlan class. (Picture source: Russian social media)

The Admiral Nakhimov has been under repair since 1999, with significant modernization efforts beginning in 2013. Initially armed with P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles, the cruiser will now feature the new universal naval firing system (UKSK) 3S14, which enables it to carry Kalibr, Oniks, or Zircon missiles. This modernization is consistent with upgrades made to at least two Russian Project 20385 Gremyashchiy-class corvettes and aims to replace outdated systems with modern models suitable for a fourth-generation ship, positioning it as the flagship of the Russian Northern Fleet, according to Puchkov.

Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, previously announced that testing of the main power plant and other subsystems of the Admiral Nakhimov would begin in August 2024, with these tests expected to conclude in 2025. The cruiser is currently at the outfitting quay, where Sevmash works with over 150 suppliers to maintain a high work pace. The main tasks on the Admiral Nakhimov are nearing completion, including preparations for the launch of reactor installations and subsequent sea trials.

The Admiral Nakhimov has been under repair since 1999, with significant modernization efforts beginning in 2013. (Picture source: Russian social media)

Admiral Nakhimov, originally named Kalinin, was built at the Baltic Shipyard in Leningrad as the third battlecruiser of the Russian Navy's Kirov class, officially designated as the Project 1144 Orlan class. The ship was laid down on May 17, 1983, launched on April 25, 1986, and commissioned for the Russian Northern Fleet on December 30, 1988. It was renamed on April 22, 1992, and submitted for repairs in 1999, followed by a significant modernization program at PO Sevmash in Severodvinsk.

The cruiser has a displacement of 25,860 tons, a length of 250.1 meters, a width of 28.5 meters, and a draft of 10.3 meters. Its main power plant consists of two KN-3 type nuclear reactors generating 2x150 MW, and main turbo-gear units producing 2x70,000 hp, enabling a speed of 32 knots and an endurance of 60 days. The crew comprises 762 personnel, including 101 officers, 130 warrant officers, 513 sailors, and 18 flight personnel.

The ship's short-range anti-missile defense will be enhanced by 4-6 Pantsir-M naval SAM-PKK systems with 16-24 target channels, equipped with high-speed 57E6M extended-range SAMs and highly maneuverable 19Ya6 SAMs for intercepting UAVs and repelling anti-ship missile attacks. (Picture source: Russian social media)

Before modernization, Admiral Nakhimov's armament included the Granit anti-ship missile system with 20 P-700 cruise missiles, the S-300 Fort-M anti-aircraft missile system with 96 48N6 missiles, the Osa-MA-2 anti-aircraft missile system with 40 9M33 missiles, a universal artillery mount with two AK-130 130mm naval guns, six 3M87 Kortik 30 mm anti-aircraft guns, two PTA-53 torpedo launchers, 10 RBU-12000, and 12 RBU-1000 anti-submarine systems. It also housed three helicopters: the Ka-27PL, Ka-29, and Ka-31.

Post-modernization, the cruiser will be equipped with a universal missile system 3S14 with 80 launch cells capable of deploying Kalibr, Oniks, and Zircon missiles. The 3S14 can also deploy 91RT2 anti-submarine guided missiles, with target designation provided by Ka-27 anti-submarine helicopters or the ship’s hydroacoustic station. It will also include the Pantsir-ME anti-aircraft missile and gun system, the Paket-NK anti-submarine and anti-torpedo system, and the Redut naval air defense missile system. The ship's short-range anti-missile defense will be enhanced by 4-6 Pantsir-M naval SAM-PKK systems with 16-24 target channels, equipped with high-speed 57E6M extended-range SAMs and highly maneuverable 19Ya6 SAMs for intercepting UAVs and repelling anti-ship missile attacks.

Initially armed with P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles, the cruiser will now feature several new weapons, including the new universal naval firing system (UKSK) 3S14, which enables it to carry Kalibr, Oniks, or Zircon missiles, and the Redut naval air defense missile system. (Picture source: Russian social media)

Military experts have outlined the capabilities of the modernized Admiral Nakhimov, noting its advanced missile systems, which include the ability to use hypersonic multipurpose tactical missiles like the 3M22 Zircon and the anti-ship 3M54. The ship will also feature the Redut naval air defense missile system, which has more than 32-48 highly maneuverable 9M96DM surface-to-air missiles with a range of up to 130 km and gas-dynamic control systems with active radar homing heads, providing the ability to intercept maneuvering ballistic targets with overloads of up to 25 units.

The Russian Project 1144, known as the Kirov-class battlecruisers, are a series of nuclear-powered guided-missile cruisers developed during the Cold War for the Soviet Navy. Initiated in the late 1960s and launched in the late 1970s to 1980s, these ships were designed to provide robust multi-role capabilities, including anti-ship, anti-aircraft, and anti-submarine warfare. The first ship, Kirov (later renamed Admiral Ushakov), was commissioned in 1980, followed by Frunze (Admiral Lazarev), Kalinin (Admiral Nakhimov), and Yuri Andropov (Pyotr Velikiy). They were among the largest and most heavily armed surface combatants built, second only to aircraft carriers. After the Soviet Union's dissolution, the ships were incorporated into the Russian Navy, with only Pyotr Velikiy currently operational and Admiral Nakhimov undergoing modernization. The other ships have been decommissioned and slated for scrapping due to high maintenance costs and the complexity of their nuclear reactors.

The Russian Project 1144, known as the Kirov-class battlecruisers, are a series of nuclear-powered guided-missile cruisers developed during the Cold War for the Soviet Navy. Initiated in the late 1960s and launched in the late 1970s to 1980s, these ships were designed to provide robust multi-role capabilities, including anti-ship, anti-aircraft, and anti-submarine warfare. (Picture source: Russian social media)