80 "Calibers" and 70 "Zircon": How dangerous the Russian cruiser "Admiral Nakhimov" of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
But the modernization of the C-400 and other Admiral Nakhimov systems combines the Soviet score with 21st century technologies. Focus has translated the article by Brandon's security analyst J. Weikhrt for National Interest. In the article "Russian linear cruiser" Admiral Nakhimov "is a floating fortress or a light target?" They consider the features of the old Russian ship and explain how and why the Kremlin will use it.
"Admiral Nakhimov", a powerful cruiser of the Kirov class in the Navy of Russia, is the naval platform of the Soviet era with many modern improvements that Moscow ordered specifically for this ship. Due to the significant improvement and updating of the Admiral Nakhimov, one of the world's largest nuclear battle ships in the world, has become a floating fortress equipped with modern weapons.
The most important role in Admiral Nakhimov's defense play three full battalions of the C-400 air defense systems, which give the cruiser the opportunity to rule over the airspace around him. Kirov Classers, known in Russia as a project 1144 "Orlan", appeared during the Cold War in response to the development of US aircraft carriers. Lowed in 1986 and officially put into operation in 1988 under the name "Kalinin", after the collapse of the USSR, the cruiser was renamed "Admiral Nakhimov".
The ship was designed as multi -purpose and could perform anti -ship strokes, a prostitic struggle (ASW) and the Fleet's Air Defense. Initially, Admiral Nakhimov served in the Northern Fleet, participating in exercises and patrols until the post -Soviet economic decline brought it out. In 1997, he made his latest independent flight, and in 1999 he was placed in a reserve for repair at the Swedmash Shipyard in Severodvinsk.
For almost three decades, the ship has idle in the port, symbolizing the problems of the Russian Fleet under budget restrictions and changing priorities. Russia's decision to modernize Admiral Nakhimov, which began in 2014, became part of the initiative to revive the Ocean Fleet. Overhaul, which was repeatedly delayed due to technical problems and war in Ukraine, had to integrate the advanced weapons systems into the ship and save its nuclear power plant.
In December 2024, factory maritime tests began, and in August 2025 the ship for the first time since 1997 was released. Modernization includes the installation of new electronics, radar systems, such as a phased antenna grille "Polyment", and complete modernization of weapons.
The technical characteristics of Admiral Nakhumov during overhaul of 20 anti-ship missiles P-700 "Granite", installed on the ship from the beginning, were replaced by 80 universal vertical launchers (VLS) capable of launching the winged "Caliber" rockets "and 602222222222222. Protetic capabilities are represented by the Torpeds "Packet-N" and the "Otvat" missiles, and the main gun was replaced with AK-130 with a modern AK-192M. Near defense includes 6 shell-M systems and AK-630 rotor guns.
In total, "Admiral Nakhimov" boasts 174 VLS cells, exceeding modern ships such as Chinese destroyer type 055 (112 cells) or American destroyer Arleigh Burke (96 cells). Admiral Nakhimov's modernization is based on his air defense complex, based on the naval version of the powerful C-400 Triumph system. It replaces the outdated missiles C-300F "Fort" and identifies 96 VLS cells specifically for the Land-Air (SAM) missile.
According to reports, the ship carries on board the equivalent of three full battalions C-400, which has no analogues on other warships. In land, the C-400 battalion usually consists of 8-12 starting installations with 32-48 missiles, providing multi-level protection against aircraft, drones, cruise missiles and ballistic threats.
Thanks to the integration of missiles type 40H6, 48H6 and 9m96 variants with less range, which allow fighting at a distance of from one and a half to 400 km, the marine version of the C-400 is a serious improvement. With three C-400 battalions on board, the ship has a huge rocket arsenal, which exceeds the air defense capabilities of entire land regiments.
Due to the "fort-m" (advanced version of C-300) and "shell-m" for point defense, "Admiral Nakhimov" can create a multilayered protective shell around himself, capable of tracking 80 targets and at the same aircraft carriers "if used as a ship of escort or autonomous command point. Admiral Nakhimov is ready to become the flagship of the Russian Fleet, replacing Petro the Great, is the only other cruiser of the Kirov class that is still in operation.
Its three C-400 battalions emphasize that Moscow is important restrictions on access and a projection of strength. In controversial regions, such as the Arctic or the Black Sea, this cruiser can protect aircraft carrier groups or amphibious forces, holding back NATO invasion. Admiral Nakhimov's problems remain high in maintenance, vulnerability to submarines and technical problems of integration C-400 during current maritime tests.
According to critics, Kirov cruisers have already become a remnant of the past. However, the modernization of the C-400 and other Admiral Nakhimov systems combines the Soviet score with the 21st century technologies. In the conditions of geopolitical tension, "Admiral Nakhimov" embodies a successful innovation in the naval business. This cruiser of the Kirov type not only revives the power of the Russian Fleet of the Cold War, but also helps it adapt to modern threats.
But even with the progress in the area of air defense, the fact remains: the appearance of UAVs, most likely, will make this powerful ship in vain the waste of money. The future of military affairs - not on large manned platforms, but on unmanned, maneuverable and, ultimately, disposable systems. It is the country that will be the first to realize it and direct its resources for the development of such systems that will rule over the seas of the 21st century.