Russian Navy to soon deploy the modernized Admiral Nakhimov nuclear battlecruiser against the US Navy’s most powerful warships.

As reported by TASS on February 4, 2025, the Russian nuclear battlecruiser Admiral Nakhimov has entered a new phase in its modernization, with both of its nuclear reactors now operational. The first reactor was activated in December 2024, followed by the second on February 2, 2025, confirming the operational readiness of the ship’s nuclear propulsion system. Currently docked at Sevmash, the cruiser is scheduled to begin sea trials in the summer of 2025, with state trials planned before commissioning in 2026, as the Admiral Nakhimov now has a higher missile capacity than the US Zumwalt and Arleigh Burke classes.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Upon successful completion of the sea trials, the Admiral Nakhimov nuclear battlecruiser will be reintroduced into the Russian Northern Fleet as one of its most powerful surface ships, with a service life projected to extend at least for 30 years. (Picture source: Russian social media)

The ship’s extensive overhaul has faced multiple delays, with earlier estimates suggesting a return to service in 2022. However, modifications to the upgrade program and financial constraints have further extended the timeline. The cost of the refurbishment has reportedly exceeded 200 billion rubles, making it one of the most expensive warship modernizations in Russian naval history. According to earlier statements from Russian sources, the goal was to achieve the physical launch of both reactors and initiate undocking procedures by the fall of 2024. However, the first reactor was only activated in December 2024, coinciding with the completion of the ship’s demagnetization process.

Originally designated Kalinin, the Admiral Nakhimov was constructed at the Baltic Shipyard in Leningrad as the third nuclear-powered battlecruiser of the Kirov class. It was laid down on May 17, 1983, launched on April 25, 1986, and commissioned into the Russian Northern Fleet on December 30, 1988, before being renamed on April 22, 1992. The ship was placed into long-term maintenance in 1999, with major modernization efforts beginning in 2013. Before this full-scale upgrade, it carried 20 P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles, 96 S-300F Fort-M air defense missiles, six 30mm Kashtan close-in weapon systems, as well as torpedo and anti-submarine systems.

The modernization has significantly enhanced the ship’s combat capabilities. Ten 3S14 universal vertical launch systems, each containing eight Kalibr-NK or Oniks cruise missiles, have replaced the previous missile setup, allowing for a total of 80 missiles. The ship has also been equipped to launch the 3M22 Tsirkon hypersonic missile, extending its strike capability. Additionally, the air defense systems have been upgraded, replacing the older S-300F with a navalized S-400 system containing 96 launch cells. Shorter-range defenses now include the Pantsir-ME and a naval adaptation of the S-350 Vityaz, replacing the older Osa-M system.

In comparison, China’s Type 055 destroyers feature 112 VLS cells, accommodating YJ-18 anti-ship missiles, CJ-10 land-attack cruise missiles, and HHQ-9 long-range air defense missiles. The Type 055 is equipped with a dual-band radar system and electronic warfare capabilities. The U.S. Arleigh Burke Flight III destroyers are fitted with 96 Mk 41 VLS cells, supporting Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, SM-6 air defense missiles, and ESSM interceptors. The Zumwalt-class destroyers, with 80 VLS cells, are designed for low-observable operations and multi-mission strike capabilities, including hypersonic missile integration. While the Admiral Nakhimov has a higher missile capacity than the Zumwalt and Arleigh Burke classes, it lacks the integrated stealth features of modern Chinese and U.S. designs, which may affect its survivability.

Spanning for over a decade, the Admiral Nakhimov’s extensive modernization has faced multiple delays, with earlier estimates suggesting a return to service in 2022. (Picture source: Russian social media)

Compared to the Moskva cruiser, which carried 16 P-1000 Vulkan anti-ship missiles and S-300F Fort air defense missiles, the Admiral Nakhimov has a significantly larger missile arsenal, more modern air defense systems, and enhanced electronic warfare capabilities. The Moskva, commissioned in 1983, used older radar and fire control systems, limiting its adaptability to newer threats. While the Moskva was optimized for fleet air defense with limited multi-role capabilities, the Admiral Nakhimov is configured for a broader range of missions, including long-range precision strikes, air defense, and anti-submarine warfare.

Beyond missile armaments, the ship's nuclear propulsion system has been fully restored, with two KN-3 nuclear reactors producing 2×150 MW, supported by two auxiliary boilers and two turbines generating a combined 140,000 hp (103 MW) on shafts. The propulsion system also includes four power plants with a capacity of 18 MW, four steam turbine generators producing 3 MW each, and four gas turbine generators rated at 1.5 MW each, ensuring speeds of up to 32 knots. All electronic warfare and radar systems have been upgraded to modern standards, with improved target tracking and threat detection capabilities. Additional enhancements include the installation of the Redut naval air defense system and the Paket-NK anti-submarine system, increasing layered defense capabilities against aerial, surface, and underwater threats.

The final modernization phase will involve extensive testing of the 28,000-ton vessel, with factory sea trials expected in mid-2025, followed by state trials assessing all systems under operational conditions. Upon successful completion, the Admiral Nakhimov will be reintroduced into the Russian Northern Fleet as one of its most powerful surface ships. The vessel's service life is projected to extend at least 30 years, enabling it to engage naval and land-based targets at long range while offering enhanced air defense for fleet operations.

The fate of the Admiral Nakhimov’s sister ship, the Pyotr Velikiy, remains under review. In mid-2023, reports suggested it could be decommissioned after the Admiral Nakhimov’s return to service, but the Northern Fleet later denied this. The Pyotr Velikiy remains in operational duty as the only currently active Kirov-class cruiser until the Admiral Nakhimov is recommissioned, though its long-term future within the Russian Navy remains unclear.

The Kirov-class nuclear-powered missile cruisers were developed during the Soviet era as the largest non-aircraft carrier surface combatants. Displacing 28,000 tons, they surpass most modern naval combatants, including U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. The class was designed for multi-role operations, with anti-ship, anti-air, and anti-submarine capabilities. However, their high maintenance costs and reliance on nuclear propulsion have limited their long-term viability, with only two of the original four ships remaining in service, as the Admiral Ushakov and Admiral Lazarev were decommissioned due to their aging systems and expensive maintenance.

Originally designated Kalinin, the Admiral Nakhimov was constructed at the Baltic Shipyard in Leningrad as the third nuclear-powered battlecruiser of the Kirov class, and was launched in 1986. (Picture source: Russian social media)