Russian destroyer Severomorsk could become the new flagship of the Baltic Fleet to strengthen its anti-submarine capabilities.

According to MilitaryRussia on March 2, 2025, the Baltic Fleet appears to have a new flagship, as the Russian Navy has left the Severomorsk, a Udaloy-class destroyer, in the Baltic Sea following its 14-month technical restoration and combat training, rather than returning it to its home fleet. This decision appears to be related to the status of the Baltic Fleet’s former flagship, the Nastoichivy, which has likely been decommissioned and is awaiting disposal, as suggested by the cessation of its sea deployments.
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The decision to keep the Severomorsk in the Baltic is driven by the need to enhance the fleet’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities and support sea trials for new diesel-electric submarines under construction in St. Petersburg. (Picture source: Russian social media)

The Baltic Fleet has historically maintained limited anti-submarine warfare (ASW) assets compared to the Northern and Pacific Fleets, with a greater emphasis on surface combatants and smaller multi-role vessels. The removal of the Nastoichivy from operational duty necessitated a replacement, and the ASW-focused Severomorsk could improve the fleet’s ability to detect and engage submarines, as its gas turbine propulsion offers increased reliability and sustained deployment capability compared to the steam-powered Nastoichivy.

The Severomorsk is a Project 1155 Udaloy-class destroyer commissioned on January 24, 1988, after being built at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad. Originally laid down as Simferopol, it was renamed Severomorsk in 1996. The ship has served extensively in the Northern Fleet, taking part in various naval exercises, including joint drills with the United States and Norway. It has conducted long-range deployments in multiple theaters, including the Arctic, Mediterranean, and the Gulf of Aden, where it carried out convoy escort missions and counter-piracy operations. It has also been involved in Arctic naval operations, including a mission to the New Siberian Islands and participation in the Northern Sea Route transit.

The ship’s armament includes two quadruple launchers for URK-5 Rastrub-B anti-submarine/anti-ship missiles, two Kinzhal surface-to-air missile systems with a total of 64 missiles, and 24 RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers. It is also equipped with two AK-100 naval guns, four AK-630 close-in weapon systems (CIWS), and eight 53-65K 533mm torpedoes. It also carries two Ka-27PL helicopters, which enhance the ship's ability to detect, track, and engage submarines beyond the range of its onboard sonar systems. Its sensor suite includes the Polynom sonar system, which provides long-range submarine detection, and the Frigate radar system, which offers air and surface surveillance.

The Severomorsk has a standard displacement of 6,840 tons and a full-load displacement of 7,480 tons. It is 163 meters long, 19 meters wide, and has a draft of 7.8 meters. The ship is powered by four gas turbine engines, each generating 20,000 horsepower, for a total of 80,000 horsepower. This propulsion system allows the ship to reach a maximum speed of 29.5 knots and an operational range of 6,882 nautical miles at economical speed. The ship can remain at sea for up to 30 days without resupply. Compared to earlier Soviet destroyers, its gas turbine propulsion system is more reliable than the steam turbines of the Sovremenny-class, reducing maintenance demands and improving operational availability. The hull design incorporates an extended forecastle for improved seaworthiness, and its dual helicopter hangar provides additional ASW capabilities.

The Udaloy-class destroyers, developed under Project 1155 in the 1970s, were designed as specialized ASW ships to operate alongside the missile-armed Sovremenny-class destroyers. Soviet naval doctrine at the time emphasized role specialization, with the Udaloy-class optimized for ASW operations and equipped with long-range sonar, missile-torpedoes, and rocket launchers for engaging submarines. The class was introduced to counter NATO submarine threats, particularly those from the United States and the United Kingdom. While early Udaloy-class ships had limited anti-ship and air defense capabilities, later modifications incorporated improved missile systems and gun armament, making them more versatile.

The Nastoichivy, a Project 956 Sovremenny-class destroyer, was among the last of its class to be built in the late 1980s and served as the flagship of the Baltic Fleet. Unlike the Udaloy-class, which was designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations, Nastoichivy was optimized for surface warfare, armed with Moskit anti-ship missiles and AK-130 dual naval guns. Its air defense capabilities were based on the Uragan missile system, but its ASW capability was limited, relying only on torpedoes and depth charges. The ship was powered by a steam turbine propulsion system, which required extensive maintenance and had operational limitations compared to gas turbines.

The Sovremenny-class, developed under Project 956, was designed in response to NATO’s emphasis on surface warfare in the late 1970s. The class prioritized speed and firepower, equipping each ship with long-range anti-ship missiles and rapid-firing artillery. Built between the late 1970s and early 1990s, these destroyers were initially a key part of the Soviet Navy’s surface strike force. However, their lack of strong ASW capabilities and reliance on steam turbine propulsion reduced their long-term viability. Many units have since been retired or transferred to China, with only a few remaining in service with the Russian Navy.

The Nastoichivy, a Project 956 Sovremenny-class destroyer, was among the last of its class to be built in the late 1980s and served as the flagship of the Baltic Fleet. (Picture source: Russian social media)