List of Russian Navy cruisers
Encyclopedia
Currently, only the navies of Russia and the United States
operate modern vessels classified as cruiser
s. Russia currently operates eight, one of which is only nominally in commission and has not put to sea since 1991 (Kirov-class Admiral Ushakov), and one of which is under construction (Slava-class Admiral Lobov).
The vessels of the Kirov class
are the world's largest cruisers, and for this reason they are generally referred to as a battlecruiser
s. Two Kirov battlecruisers are currently in service, the RFS Admiral Nakhimov and RFS Pyotr Velikiy. In the last 6 years, the Pyotr Velikiy (Peter the Great) has participated in numerous military exercises, with President Vladimir Putin
being on board during the last one. The older Admiral Nakhimov was repaired and returned to service in 2005.
Kirov class battlecruisers are outfitted with a very large number of weapons systems as well as modern electrical equipment, and are fully capable of fighting a large number of sea-, air- and land-based enemy targets
The Slava class
was designed as a less radical back-up to the aforementioned Kirovs, providing most of the facilities of the larger ships in a considerably smaller, gas turbine-powered hull. The main armament is made up of sixteen SS-N-12 Sandbox launchers, mounted in eight pairs on either side of the forward superstructure. These launchers are fixed at an angle of some 15°. Over-the-horizon targeting for SS-N-12 systems is provided by helicopter or Punch Bowl Satcom.
The Slava class was designed as part of a new strategy of creating bastions for ballistic missile submarine
s. Project 1143 and 1164 ships were to protect these bastions, and the new SS-N-12 missile was designed to strike major enemy anti-submarine warfare
units.
One of the other major roles of this cruiser type is to hunt down and destroy enemy aircraft carrier
s, and other heavy ships. Her SA-N-6 Grumble long-range SAMs can defend an entire strike group against enemy aircraft and missiles.
Kuznetsov class aircraft carrier
s are designated as heavy aviation cruisers by the Russian Navy so they can be allowed to transit the Bosphorus strait. The flight deck area of the class is 14,700 square meters, and aircraft takeoff is assisted by a bow ski jump angled at 12° in lieu of steam catapults. Two starboard lifts carry aircraft from the hangar to the flight deck. The ship was designed with the capacity to support 16 Yakovlev Yak-41M (which was cancelled) and 12 Sukhoi Su-27K
fixed-wing aircraft and a range of Kamov Ka-27
helicopters. The ship has a Granit
anti-ship missile system equipped with 12 surface-to-surface missile launchers. The air defence gun and missile system includes the Klinok / SA-N-9 Gauntlet air defence missile system with 24 vertical launchers and 192 surface-to-air missiles, plus 8 CADS-N-1 Kashtan CIWS mounts. The system defends the ship against anti-ship missiles, aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and surface ships. The ship is also equipped with an UDAV-1
integrated anti-submarine system with 60 anti-submarine missiles.
Currently, the only ship ever commissioned in the class, the Kuznetsov, operates 24 Sukhoi Su-33
, unknown numbers of Sukhoi Su-25UTG and 24 Kamov Ka-27
helicopters for use in various roles, such as long range radar, anti-submarine and other uses.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
operate modern vessels classified as cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...
s. Russia currently operates eight, one of which is only nominally in commission and has not put to sea since 1991 (Kirov-class Admiral Ushakov), and one of which is under construction (Slava-class Admiral Lobov).
Kirov class
Kirov class battlecruiser
The Kirov-class battlecruiser is a class of nuclear-powered military ships of the Russian Navy, the largest and heaviest surface combatant warships currently in active operation in the world. The Russian designation is heavy nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser...
are the world's largest cruisers, and for this reason they are generally referred to as a battlecruiser
Battlecruiser
Battlecruisers were large capital ships built in the first half of the 20th century. They were developed in the first decade of the century as the successor to the armoured cruiser, but their evolution was more closely linked to that of the dreadnought battleship...
s. Two Kirov battlecruisers are currently in service, the RFS Admiral Nakhimov and RFS Pyotr Velikiy. In the last 6 years, the Pyotr Velikiy (Peter the Great) has participated in numerous military exercises, with President Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin served as the second President of the Russian Federation and is the current Prime Minister of Russia, as well as chairman of United Russia and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Russia and Belarus. He became acting President on 31 December 1999, when...
being on board during the last one. The older Admiral Nakhimov was repaired and returned to service in 2005.
Kirov class battlecruisers are outfitted with a very large number of weapons systems as well as modern electrical equipment, and are fully capable of fighting a large number of sea-, air- and land-based enemy targets
In service
- RFS Pyotr Veliky
- RFS Admiral NakhimovSoviet battlecruiser KalininAdmiral Nakhimov is the third battlecruiser of the Kirov class. In fact, she is not a battlecruiser, but a heavy missile cruiser. However, her size has given her the unofficial designation of a battlecruiser in the mass media of many countries...
Slava class
Slava class cruiser
The Slava class cruiser, Soviet designation Project 1164 Atlant, is a large conventionally-powered warship, currently operated by Russia.-Design:...
was designed as a less radical back-up to the aforementioned Kirovs, providing most of the facilities of the larger ships in a considerably smaller, gas turbine-powered hull. The main armament is made up of sixteen SS-N-12 Sandbox launchers, mounted in eight pairs on either side of the forward superstructure. These launchers are fixed at an angle of some 15°. Over-the-horizon targeting for SS-N-12 systems is provided by helicopter or Punch Bowl Satcom.
The Slava class was designed as part of a new strategy of creating bastions for ballistic missile submarine
Ballistic missile submarine
A ballistic missile submarine is a submarine equipped to launch ballistic missiles .-Description:Ballistic missile submarines are larger than any other type of submarine, in order to accommodate SLBMs such as the Russian R-29 or the American Trident...
s. Project 1143 and 1164 ships were to protect these bastions, and the new SS-N-12 missile was designed to strike major enemy anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
units.
One of the other major roles of this cruiser type is to hunt down and destroy enemy aircraft carrier
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
s, and other heavy ships. Her SA-N-6 Grumble long-range SAMs can defend an entire strike group against enemy aircraft and missiles.
In service
- RFS Marshal UstinovRFS Marshal UstinovThe RFS Marshal Ustinov , Маршал Устинов, is a of the Russian Navy. The Russian name for the ship type is Gvardeysky Raketnyy Kreyser , meaning "Guards Missile Cruiser"...
- RFS MoskvaRFS MoskvaMoskva is the lead ship of the Project 1164 Atlant class of guided missile cruisers in the Russian Navy....
- RFS Varyag
Kuznetsov class
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
s are designated as heavy aviation cruisers by the Russian Navy so they can be allowed to transit the Bosphorus strait. The flight deck area of the class is 14,700 square meters, and aircraft takeoff is assisted by a bow ski jump angled at 12° in lieu of steam catapults. Two starboard lifts carry aircraft from the hangar to the flight deck. The ship was designed with the capacity to support 16 Yakovlev Yak-41M (which was cancelled) and 12 Sukhoi Su-27K
Sukhoi Su-27
The Sukhoi Su-27 is a twin-engine supermanoeuverable fighter aircraft designed by Sukhoi. It was intended as a direct competitor for the large United States fourth generation fighters, with range, heavy armament, sophisticated avionics and high manoeuvrability...
fixed-wing aircraft and a range of Kamov Ka-27
Kamov Ka-27
|-See also:-External links:*...
helicopters. The ship has a Granit
P-700 Granit
The P-700 Granit is a Soviet and Russian naval anti-ship cruise missile. Its GRAU designation is 3M45, its NATO reporting name SS-N-19 Shipwreck...
anti-ship missile system equipped with 12 surface-to-surface missile launchers. The air defence gun and missile system includes the Klinok / SA-N-9 Gauntlet air defence missile system with 24 vertical launchers and 192 surface-to-air missiles, plus 8 CADS-N-1 Kashtan CIWS mounts. The system defends the ship against anti-ship missiles, aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and surface ships. The ship is also equipped with an UDAV-1
Udav-1 anti-submarine system
The UDAV-1 system is a Russian ship-borne Anti-submarine weapon system. The weapon fires a number of different types of rockets, which in addition to attacking submarines provide a multi-layer defence against torpedoes and frogmen...
integrated anti-submarine system with 60 anti-submarine missiles.
Currently, the only ship ever commissioned in the class, the Kuznetsov, operates 24 Sukhoi Su-33
Sukhoi Su-33
The Sukhoi Su-33 is an all-weather carrier-based air defence fighter designed by Sukhoi and manufactured by KnAAPO. It is a derivative of the Su-27 "Flanker" and was initially known as the Su-27K. The aircraft was first used in operations in 1995, aboard the carrier Admiral Kuznetsov...
, unknown numbers of Sukhoi Su-25UTG and 24 Kamov Ka-27
Kamov Ka-27
|-See also:-External links:*...
helicopters for use in various roles, such as long range radar, anti-submarine and other uses.
In service
- Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Kuznetsov