View source for Kirov-class battlecruiser

{{short description|Class of Russian battlecruisers}}
{{for|the World War II era class|Kirov-class cruiser{{!}}''Kirov''-class cruiser}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = Kirov-class battlecruiser.jpg
| Ship caption = ''Kirov''-class battlecruiser {{ship|Soviet battlecruiser|Frunze||2}}
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = ''Kirov'' class
| Builders = [[Baltic Shipyard]], [[Leningrad]]
| Operators = *{{navy|Soviet Union}}
*{{navy|Russia}}
| Class before = * {{sclass|Kara|cruiser|4}}
| Subclass = [[SSV-33 Ural|SSV-333 Ural]]
| Subclasses =  
| Cost = 
| Built range = 1974–1998
| In service range = 1980–present
| In commission range = 
| Total ships building = 
| Total ships planned = 5
| Total ships completed = 4
| Total ships cancelled = 1
| Total ships active = 1 (1 undergoing refit)
| Total ships laid up = 
| Total ships retired = 2
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship type = [[Heavy cruiser|Heavy]] [[guided-missile cruiser]]/[[Battlecruiser#Cold War-era designs|battlecruiser]]
| Ship displacement = * 24,300&nbsp;tons standard
* 28,000&nbsp;tons full load
| Ship length = {{convert|252|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|28.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship height = 
| Ship draft = {{convert|9.1|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship hold depth = 
| Ship decks = 
| Ship deck clearance = 
| Ship ramps = 
| Ship propulsion = * 2-shaft [[CONAS]], 2× [[KN-3 reactor|KN-3]] [[nuclear marine propulsion]] with 2× GT3A-688 [[steam turbine]]s
* {{convert|140000|shp|abbr=on|lk=in}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/defence/naval_forces/news/jfs/jfs000908_2_n.shtml |title=Kirov (Orlan) Class (Type 1144.1/1144.2) (CGN) |date=8 September 2000 |website=[[Jane's]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415230911/http://www.janes.com/defence/naval_forces/news/jfs/jfs000908_2_n.shtml |archive-date=15 April 2009}}</ref>
| Ship sail plan = 
| Ship speed = {{convert|32|kn}}
| Ship range = *{{convert|1000|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|30|kn|abbr=on}} (combined propulsion)
* unlimited at {{convert|20|kn|abbr=on}} on nuclear power
| Ship endurance = 
| Ship complement = 710
| Ship sensors = * '''Radars:''' ([[NATO reporting name]]):
** Voskhod MR-800 (Top Pair) search [[3D radar]], foremast
** Fregat MR-710 (Top Plate) 3D search radar, main mast
** 2 × Palm Frond navigation radar, foremast
* '''Sonar:'''
** Horse Jaw LF hull sonar
** Horse Tail VDS (Variable Depth Sonar)
* '''Combat Management System:'''
** Lesorub-44 combat information control system
| Ship EW = 2 × PK-2 Decoy dispensers (400 rockets)
| Ship armament = * '''Missiles:'''
** 20 × [[P-700 Granit]] (SS-N-19 Shipwreck) [[anti-ship missile|AShM]]
** 96 × [[S-300 (missile)#Sea-based S-300FM (SA-N-20)|S-300F]] ''Fort'' ([[SA-N-6 Grumble]]) [[surface-to-air]] missiles (''Ushakov'', ''Lazarev'', ''Nakhimov''){{Citation needed|date=April 2012}}
** 48 × [[S-300 (missile)#Sea-based S-300FM (SA-N-20)|S-300F]] ''Fort'' and 48 [[S-300 (missile)#Sea-based S-300FM (SA-N-20)|S-300FM]] ''Fort-M'' (SA-N-20 Gargoyle) long-range SAM (''Pyotr Velikiy'')<ref name=rian20120920 />
** 64 × [[Tor missile system#3K95 Kinzhal (naval variant)|3K95 Kinzhal]] (SA-N-9 Gauntlet) Only installed on ''Pyotr Veiliky'' (8 x 8). Space reserved for 128 missiles on ''Admiral Lazarev'', ''Admiral Nakhimov'' and ''Pyotr Veiliky'' [[point defense]] SAM<ref name=rian20120920 />
** 40 × [[9K33 Osa#Variants|OSA-MA]] (SA-N-4 Gecko) PD SAM. Not on Pyotr Velikiy
* '''Guns:'''
** 1 × twin [[AK-130|AK-130 130&nbsp;mm/L70]] [[dual-purpose gun]] (2 × [[AK-100 Naval gun|AK-100]] 100&nbsp;mm/L60 DP guns in ''Ushakov'')
** 8 × [[AK-630]] six-barreled Gatling 30&nbsp;mm/L60 PD guns (''Ushakov'', ''Lazarev'')
** 6 × CADS-N-1 [[Kashtan CIWS|Kortik]] gun/missile system (''Nakhimov'', ''Pyotr Velikiy''<ref name=rian20120920 />)
* '''Torpedoes and others:'''
** 2 × 6 [[RBU-1000]] 305&nbsp;mm ASW rocket launchers
** 1 × 10 ([[Udav-1 anti-submarine system|Udav-1]]) 254&nbsp;mm ASW rocket launchers
** 10 × 533&nbsp;mm ASW/ASuW [[torpedo tube]]s, [[Type 53 torpedo|Type 53]] [[torpedo]] or [[RPK-2 Vyuga]] (SS-N-15) ASW missile
| Ship armour = 76&nbsp;mm plating around reactor compartment, light splinter protection
| Ship armor = 
| Ship aircraft = 3 [[helicopter]]s
| Ship aircraft facilities = Below-deck hangar
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

The '''''Kirov'' class''', Soviet designation '''Project 1144 ''Orlan''''' ({{langx |ru| Орлан | translation = [[sea eagle]]}}), is a class of [[nuclear marine propulsion|nuclear-powered]] guided-missile [[heavy cruisers]] of the [[Soviet Navy]] and [[Russian Navy]], the largest and heaviest [[surface combatant]] warships (i.e. not an [[aircraft carrier]] or [[amphibious assault ship]]) in operation in the world. Among modern warships, they are second in size only to large [[aircraft carriers]]; they are similar in size to a [[World War I]]-era [[battleship]]. Defence commentators in the West often refer to these ships as battlecruisers – due to their size and general appearance.<ref>''Armi da guerra'', De Agostini, Novara, 1985.</ref> The Soviet classification of the ship-type is "heavy nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser" ({{langx|ru|тяжёлый атомный ракетный крейсер}}).

The appearance of the ''Kirov'' class (first exemplar commissioned in 1979) played a key role in the [[United States battleship retirement debate|recommissioning]] of the {{sclass|Iowa|battleship|2}}s by the [[United States Navy]] in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1981/03/13/us/pentagon-likes-budget-proposal-but-questions-specifics-military-analysis.html |last= Middleton |first= Drew |title= Pentagon likes budget proposal, but questions specifics |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=13 March 1981 |page=A14}}</ref><ref>Bishop, p. 80.</ref><ref>Miller & Miller, p. 114.</ref>

The ''Kirov'' class hull-design was also used for the Soviet nuclear-powered [[command and control]] ship [[Soviet communications ship SSV-33|SSV-33 ''Ural'']].

==History==
Originally built for the [[Soviet Navy]], the class is named after the first of a series of four ships constructed, {{ship|Russian battlecruiser|Admiral Ushakov||2}}, named ''Kirov'' until 1992. Original plans called for construction of five ships. The fifth vessel was planned to be named ''Fleet Admiral of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov'', also referred as ''Dzerzhinsky''.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The name was later changed to ''Oktyabrskaya Revolutsiya'' ([[October Revolution]]),<ref>{{cite web |first=John |last=Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/1144-list.htm |title=Kirov Class – Project 1144.2 |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org |date=19 March 2012 |access-date=9 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222101437/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/1144-list.htm |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> and then just ''Kuznetsov'';<ref>{{cite web |first=John |last=Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/1144.htm |title=Kirov Class – Project 1144.2 |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org |access-date=9 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222101439/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/1144.htm |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> but on 4 October 1990, plans for construction of a fifth vessel were abandoned.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

The lead ship of the class, {{ship|Soviet battlecruiser|Kirov||2}}, was laid down in March 1974 at [[Saint Petersburg|Leningrad]]'s [[Baltiysky Naval Shipyard]], launched on 27 December 1977 and commissioned on 30 December 1980. When she appeared for the first time, [[NATO]] observers called her BALCOM I (Baltic Combatant I). ''Kirov'' suffered a reactor accident in 1990 during her second deployment, which was in the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. Repairs were never carried out due to lack of funds and the [[History of the Soviet Union (1985–1991)|changing political situation]] in the [[Soviet Union]], and she was placed in reserve where she was renamed ''Admiral Ushakov'' in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/04/13/russia-is-trying-to-restore-a-giant-nuclear-battlecruiser-its-not-working-out/?sh=71cac1421d1a | title=Russia is Trying to Restore a Giant Nuclear Battlecruiser—It's Not Working Out | website=[[Forbes]] }}</ref> She is presently laid up and was slated to be scrapped in 2021.

{{ship|Soviet battlecruiser|Frunze||2}}, the second vessel in the class, was commissioned in 1984. She was assigned to the Pacific Fleet. In 1992, she was renamed ''Admiral Lazarev''. The ship became inactive in 1994 and was decommissioned four years later. On 21 February 2021, the Russian Armed Forces and the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, signed a contract to dismantle and scrap the nuclear powered heavy cruiser. ''Admiral Lazarev'' set sail 30 April 2021 for 30th Shipyard. Dismantlement should be completed by 30 November 2025.<ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Ryan |title=Russia to scrap nuclear battlecruiser Admiral Lazarev |url=https://navalpost.com/admiral-lazarev-scrap-kirov-class-battlecruiser/ |website=Naval Post |date=21 February 2021 |access-date=13 October 2021}}</ref>

{{ship|Soviet battlecruiser|Kalinin||2}}, now ''Admiral Nakhimov'', was the third ship to enter service, in 1988. She was also assigned to the Northern Fleet. Renamed ''Admiral Nakhimov'' in 1992, she was mothballed in 1999 and reactivated in 2005. She is undergoing overhaul and modernization at [[Sevmash|Severodvinsk Shipyard]].

Construction of the fourth ship, ''Yuriy Andropov'', encountered many delays; her construction was started in 1986 but was not commissioned until 1998. She was renamed {{ship|Russian battlecruiser|Pyotr Veliky||2}} (after [[Peter I of Russia|Peter the Great]]) in 1992.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite book |first=Ю.В. |last=Апалков |date=2003 |title=Ударные корабли, Том II, часть I |location=Санкт-Петербург |publisher=Галея Принт |language=ru}}</ref> She currently serves as the flagship of Russia's [[Northern Fleet]].

In 1983, a [[command and control]] ship, [[Soviet communications ship SSV-33|''SSV-33 Ural'']], was launched, although the ship would not be officially commissioned until 1989. She utilized the basic hull design of the ''Kirov''-class vessels, but with a modified superstructure, different armament, and was intended for a different role within the Soviet Navy. ''Ural'' was decommissioned and laid up in 2001, due to high operating costs, and scrapped starting in 2010.

On 23 March 2004, English language press reported the Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief, Fleet Admiral [[Vladimir Kuroedov]] said ''Pyotr Veliky''{{'}}s reactor was in an extremely bad condition and could explode "at any moment", a statement which may have been the result of internal politics within the Russian Navy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bellona.org/english_import_area/international/russia/navy/northern_fleet/incidents/32924 |title=Kuroyedov declares 'Peter the Great' could explode 'at any moment' |first=Charles |last=Digges |date=23 March 2004 |website=Bellona |access-date=28 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929123430/http://www.bellona.org/english_import_area/international/russia/navy/northern_fleet/incidents/32924 |archive-date=29 September 2011}}</ref> The ship was sent to port for a month, and the crew lost one-third of their pay.

Russia initially planned to reactivate ''Admiral Ushakov'' and {{ship|Russian battlecruiser|Admiral Lazarev||2}} by 2020,<ref name=rian20120920 /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rianovosti.com/military_news/20130613/181647304/Upgraded-Nuclear-Cruiser-to-Rejoin-Russian-Navy-in-2018.html |title=Upgraded Nuclear Cruiser to Rejoin Russian Navy in 2018 |website=[[RIA Novosti]] |date=13 June 2013 |access-date=9 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615213933/http://www.rianovosti.com/military_news/20130613/181647304/Upgraded-Nuclear-Cruiser-to-Rejoin-Russian-Navy-in-2018.html |archive-date=15 June 2013}}</ref> but it was later indicated that the condition of the reactor cores of both ships was such that it would prove difficult, expensive and potentially dangerous to remove the spent nuclear fuel and repair the cores. As a consequence, both ships were earmarked for scrapping in 2021.<ref name="NavRec6991">{{Cite web |url=https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2019/april/6991-russia-four-submarines-and-two-cruisers-to-be-scrapped-by-2021.html |title=Russia: four submarines and two cruisers to be scrapped by 2021 |date=April 2019 |website=Navyrecognition.com |access-date=4 May 2021}}</ref> The scrapping of ''Admiral Lazarev'' began in early 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://zakupki.gov.ru/epz/contract/contractCard/common-info.html?reestrNumber=1770641334821000012 |title=Карточка контракта № 1770641334821000012: Утилизация тяжелого атомного ракетного крейсера "Адмирал Лазарев" проекта 1144.1 заводской № 801 |trans-title=Contract card No. 1770641334821000012: Disposal of the heavy nuclear missile cruiser "Admiral Lazarev" of project 1144.1 serial number 801 |website=[[Federal Treasury (Russia)|Federal Treasury]] |language=ru |access-date=21 February 2021 |archive-date=4 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504143850/https://zakupki.gov.ru/epz/contract/contractCard/common-info.html?reestrNumber=1770641334821000012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

As of early 2022, only {{ship|Russian battlecruiser|Pyotr Velikiy||2}} was operational. Modernization of ''Admiral Nakhimov'' is ongoing and was reported, in 2021, to continue until "at least" 2023,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://tass.com/defense/1274887 |title=Handover of Admiral Nakhimov battlecruiser to Russian navy postponed – source |date=7 April 2021 |website=TASS}}</ref> with the modernization of ''Pyotr Velikiy'' to immediately follow and last for about three years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bellona.org/news/nuclear-issues/2015-09-russias-flagship-nuclear-battle-cruiser-the-worlds-largest-puts-in-for-repairs |title=Russia's flagship nuclear battle cruiser – the world's largest – puts in for repairs |date=9 September 2015 |website=Bellona.org |access-date=13 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314063412/http://bellona.org/news/nuclear-issues/2015-09-russias-flagship-nuclear-battle-cruiser-the-worlds-largest-puts-in-for-repairs |archive-date=14 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/deadly-russian-warship-closest-thing-battleship-sailing-today-45077 |title=This Deadly Russian Warship Is the Closest Thing to a Battleship Sailing Today |date=20 February 2019 |magazine=The National Interest |access-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501070937/https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/deadly-russian-warship-closest-thing-battleship-sailing-today-45077 |archive-date=1 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, in early 2022, Sevmash CEO Mikhail Budnichenko stated that the ship would be delivered to the Russian Navy in 2022. This deadline would also be missed, and Sevmash later clarified that they expected to return the ship to service in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Новости |first=Р. И. А. |date=2023-02-27 |title=Атомный ракетный крейсер "Адмирал Нахимов" вернется на флот в 2024 году |url=https://ria.ru/20230227/nakhimov-1854515850.html |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=РИА Новости |language=ru}}</ref>

The modernization of ''Admiral Nakhimov'' and her sister ship is to be extensive, with ''Admiral Nakhimov'' expected to receive 174 Vertical-launch (VLS) tubes: 80 for anti-surface and 94 for anti-air warfare, among other upgrades.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/madeinrussianfederation/videos/admiral-nakhimov-modernization-february-2020/2512589785674133/ |title=Admiral Nakhimov modernization. February 2020 |author=madeinrussia |via=Facebook|access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref> In early 2022, the Sevmash CEO noted that weapons systems for ''Admiral Nakhimov'' would include: the Fort-M (NATO reporting name: SA-N-6 Grumble) and Pantsyr-M (SA-22 Greyhound) air defense systems and [[Paket-NK]] and [[Otvet]] antisubmarine warfare weapons. It was also reported that the cruiser would potentially be armed with up to 60 [[3M22 Zircon]] hypersonic anti-ship missiles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/02/russias-sevmash-shipyard-says-it-will-deliver-admiral-nakhimov-in-2022/|title = Russia's Sevmash Shipyard Says it Will Deliver Admiral Nakhimov in 2022|date = 18 February 2022}}</ref>

==Design==
The class was originally conceived to counter the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]]'s submarines with its large payload of SS-N-14 anti-submarine missiles, and later evolved to carry twenty P-700 ''Granit'' anti-ship missiles for countering the U.S. carrier strike groups. Ultimately the class were intended to operate alongside new nuclear-powered aircraft carriers for global power projection, however these carriers [[Soviet aircraft carrier Ulyanovsk|never came to fruition]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/why-russia%E2%80%99s-nuclear-battlecruiser-has-some-problems-184689 | title=The National Interest: Blog }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-navy-plans-for-soviet-era-kirov-class-battlecruisers-2022-1 | title=Russia's navy has big plans for its Soviet-era battlecruisers | website=[[Business Insider]] }}</ref>

===Weapon systems===
[[File:Nuclear cruiser Kirov.jpg|thumb|''Admiral Ushakov'' (ex-''Kirov''), [[lead ship]] of the class, next to the {{sclass|Slava|cruiser|2}} {{ship|Russian cruiser|Marshal Ustinov||2}}.]]

The ''Kirov'' class's main weapons are 20 [[P-700 Granit]] (SS-N-19 Shipwreck) missiles mounted in deck, designed to engage large surface targets. Air defense is provided by twelve octuple [[S-300 (missile)|S-300F]] launchers with 96 missiles and a pair of Osa-MA [[Battery (artillery)|batteries]] with 20 missiles each. ''Pyotr Velikiy'' carries some S-300FM missiles and is the only ship in the Russian Navy capable of ballistic missile defence.<ref name=rian20120920>{{cite web |url=http://en.ria.ru/mlitary_news/20120920/176091963.html |title=Russian Warship Tests Missile Defense Capability |website=RIA Novosti |date=20 September 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922115858/http://en.ria.ru/mlitary_news/20120920/176091963.html |archive-date=22 September 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> The ships had some differences in sensor and weapons suites: ''Kirov'' came with [[Metel Anti-Ship Complex|Metel]] anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missiles, while on subsequent ships these were replaced with [[Tor missile system#3K95 Kinzhal (naval variant)|3K95 Kinzhal]] (Russian: Кинжал – dagger) surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. The ''Kinzhal'' installation is in fact mounted further forward of the old SS-N-14 mounting, in the structure directly behind the blast shield for the [[Bow (watercraft)|bow]] mounted RBU ASW rocket launcher. ''Kirov'' and ''Frunze'' had eight {{convert|30|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} [[AK-630]] [[close-in weapon system]]s, which were supplanted with the [[Kashtan CIWS|Kortik]] air-defence system on later ships.

Other weapons are the automatic {{convert|130|mm|in|abbr=on|0}} AK-130 gun system (except in ''Kirov'' which had two single {{convert|100|mm|in|abbr=on|0}} guns instead), 10 {{convert|21|in|mm|adj=on|0}} torpedo/missile tubes (capable of firing [[RPK-2 Vyuga]] ASW missiles on later ships) and ''Udav''-1 with 40 anti-submarine rockets and two sextuple [[RBU-1000]] launchers.
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| total_width       = 320
| image1            = Battlecruiser Kirov aft section 1986.jpg
| width1            = 2351
| height1           = 3000
| alt1              = Kirov
| caption1          = 
| image2            = Battlecruiser Frunze aft 1988.jpg
| width2            = 1820
| height2           = 2356
| alt2              = Frunze
| caption2          = 
| footer            = The aft sections of ''Kirov'' (left) and ''Frunze'' (right) showing differences in weapons fit – ''Kirov'' has a pair of single 100 mm guns, and two pairs of AK-630 CIWS mounts either side of the flight deck, whereas ''Frunze'' has a twin 130 mm turret and eight 3K95 "Kinzhal" VLS in place of the CIWS mounts.
}}

Russia is developing a new anti-ship missile to equip ''Kirov''s called the [[3M22 Tsirkon]], which is capable of traveling at [[hypersonic]] speeds out to at least {{convert|620|mi|nmi km|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ruspolitica.ru/post/raketyi-tsirkon-okonchatelno-opredelili-tehnologicheskoe-prevoshodstvo-rossii-nad-ssha/ |title=Ракеты "Циркон" окончательно определили технологическое превосходство России над США |trans-title=The "Zircon" missiles definitively determine Russia's technological superiority over the United States |date=28 October 2016 |website=Ruspolitica.ru |language=ru |access-date=18 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610111543/http://ruspolitica.ru/post/raketyi-tsirkon-okonchatelno-opredelili-tehnologicheskoe-prevoshodstvo-rossii-nad-ssha/ |archive-date=10 June 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=2732278 |title=Для гиперзвуковых крылатых ракет в России создано принципиально новое топливо |trans-title=A fundamentally new fuel has been created in Russia for hypersonic cruise missiles |date=17 March 2016 |website=vesti.ru |language=ru |access-date=25 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529064513/http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=2732278 |archive-date=29 May 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Armaments===
{| class="wikitable"
|- 
|+Armament fit of ''Kirov'' class{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|- valign="top"
! style="width:15%;"|
! style="width:15%;"| ''Kirov'' / ''Admiral Ushakov''
! style="width:15%;"| ''Frunze'' / ''Admiral Lazarev''
! style="width:15%;"| ''Kalinin'' / ''Admiral Nakhimov''
! style="width:15%;"| ''Yuri Andropov'' / ''Pyotr Velikiy''
|-
!align=center|Anti-ship missiles
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|20 x [[P-700 Granit]] (SS-N-19 'Shipwreck')
|-
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Anti-submarine missiles
|align=center|1 x twin [[Metel Anti-Ship Complex|RPK-3 Metel]] (SS-N-14 'Silex')
|colspan=3 |
|-
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"| [[RPK-2 Vyuga]] (SS-N-15 'Starfish') launched via 533&nbsp;mm torpedo tube
|-
! rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|Surface-to-air missiles
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|12 × 8 [[S-300 missile system#Sea-based S-300F (SA-N-6)|S-300F]] (SA-N-6 'Grumble')
|align=center|6 × 8 [[S-300 missile system#Sea-based S-300F (SA-N-6)|S-300F]] (SA-N-6 'Grumble')
|-
|colspan="3"  style="text-align:center;"| 2 x 20 [[9K33 Osa]] (SA-N-4 'Gecko')
|align=center|6 × 8 [[S-300 missile system#Sea-based S-300FM (SA-N-20)|S-300FM]] (SA-N-20 'Gargoyle')
|-
|
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|[[For but not with|Space reserved for]] 16 x 8 [[Tor missile system|3K95 Kinzhal]] (SA-N-9 'Gauntlet') 
| align=center| 8 x 8 [[Tor missile system|3K95 Kinzhal]] (SA-N-9 'Gauntlet')
|-
!align=center|Guns
|align=center|2 × 1 AK-100 100&nbsp;mm
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|1 × 2 AK-130 130&nbsp;mm
|-
!align=center|[[close-in weapon system]]s
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|8 x [[AK-630]]
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|6 x [[CADS-N-1]]
|- style="text-align:center;" 
! Anti-submarine rockets
| colspan="4"|2 x [[RBU-1000]], 1 x [[Udav-1 anti-submarine system|RBU-12000]]
|-
!align=center|Torpedo tubes
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|10 x 533mm torpedo tubes for [[Type 53 torpedo|Type 53]]
|}

===Fire control===
[[File:ARKR Kalinin bow highlighted.jpg|thumb|Aerial port view of the foredeck of ''Kalinin'' illustrating the differences from the lead ship of the class. {{legend|#FF00FF|2 Kortik point defense gun/missile system}} {{legend|#FFFF00|Empty space intended for 2 Kinzhal vertical SAM launchers}}]]
[[File:Image-Kirov forward launchers highlighted.jpg|thumb|Aerial starboard view of the foredeck of ''Kirov''. {{legend|#FF00FF|4 30mm [[AK-630]] CIWS}} {{legend|#FF0000|2 pop-up (lowered) [[9K33 Osa|Osa]] SAM launchers}} {{legend|#00FF00|20 [[P-700 Granit]] cruise missile launchers}} {{legend|#0000FF|12 [[S-300 missile system|S-300 Fort]] SAM launchers}} {{legend|#FFFF00|1 twin "Metel" antisubmarine warfare/surface-to-surface missile launcher}}]]
* 2 × Top Dome for S-300F fire control radar (the forward Top Dome is replaced with Tomb Stone ([[Passive electronically scanned array]]) in ''Pyotr Veliky'')
* 4 × Bass Tilt for AK-630 CIWS System fire control (not in ''Admiral Nakhimov'' or ''Pyotr Veliky'')
* 2 × Eye Bowl for OSA-M fire control (also for SS-N-14 in ''Admiral Ushakov'')
* 2 × Hot Flash/Hot Spot for Kortik (CADS-N-1 units only)
* 1 × Kite Screech for AK-100 or AK-130
* 2 × Cross Sword for Kinzhal (Kinzhal-equipped units only)
{{Clear}}

===Combined nuclear and steam propulsion===
'''Combined nuclear and steam propulsion system''' ('''CONAS''') is used on the Kirov battlecruisers. Complementary to the nuclear component, there are two conventional boilers installed as a backup in case of reactor failure. Both components can drive two geared steam turbines, generating 120,000 [[Horsepower|hp]] (89 MW), at two prop shafts.<ref>[http://www.navycollection.narod.ru/ships/Russia/Cruisers/TARK_Proect_1144/history.html V.P. Kuzin, "Type 1144 Nuclear Guided Missile Cruisers", "Typhoon" almanac, 1-4 1999] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123172928/http://www.navycollection.narod.ru/ships/Russia/Cruisers/TARK_Proect_1144/history.html |date=2007-11-23}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

==Ships==
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Construction data
! scope="col"|Name
! scope="col"|First Namesake
! scope="col"|Second Namesake
! scope="col"|Builder
! scope="col"|[[Laid down]]
! scope="col"|[[Ceremonial ship launching|Launched]]
! scope="col"|[[Ship commissioning|Commissioned]]
! scope="col"|Status
|-
| scope="row"|''[[Soviet battlecruiser Kirov|Admiral Ushakov]]''<br />(ex-''Kirov'')
| [[Sergei Kirov]]
| [[Fyodor Ushakov]]
| rowspan=4|[[Baltic Shipyard|Baltiysky Zavod]], [[Leningrad]]
| 27 March 1974
| 26 December 1977
| 30 December 1980
| Scrapped in 2021<ref name="NavRec6991"/>
|-
| scope="row"|{{ship|Russian battlecruiser|Admiral Lazarev||2}}<br />(ex-''Frunze'')
| [[Mikhail Frunze]]
| [[Mikhail Lazarev]]
| 27 July 1978
| 26 May 1981
| 31 October 1984
| Scrapped in April 2021<ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/seawaves_mag/status/1388263819701456899?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet |user=seawaves_mag |number=1388263819701456899 |title=Project 1144 Admiral Lazarev departed Strelok Bay today for the breakers. |date=30 April 2021 |access-date=1 May 2021}}</ref>
|-
| scope="row"|{{ship|Russian battlecruiser|Admiral Nakhimov||2}}<br />(ex-''Kalinin'')
| [[Mikhail Kalinin]]
| [[Pavel Nakhimov]]
| 17 May 1983
| 25 April 1986
| 30 December 1988
| Mothballed in 1999. Modernisation started in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/year-2015-news/january-2015-navy-naval-forces-defense-industry-technology-maritime-security-global-news/2310-russian-shipyard-sevmash-ordered-new-equipment-for-overhaul-of-kirov-class-cruiser-nakhimov.html |title=Russian Shipyard Sevmash Ordered New Equipment for Overhaul of Kirov Class Cruiser Nakhimov |date=6 January 2015 |website=Navyrecognition.com |access-date=12 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212130917/http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/year-2015-news/january-2015-navy-naval-forces-defense-industry-technology-maritime-security-global-news/2310-russian-shipyard-sevmash-ordered-new-equipment-for-overhaul-of-kirov-class-cruiser-nakhimov.html |archive-date=12 February 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Was due to return to service in 2024,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brahy |first=Jérôme |title=Russian nuclear battlecruiser Admiral Nakhimov to begin sea trials in November with new hypersonic missiles |url=https://armyrecognition.com/news/navy-news/2024/russian-nuclear-battlecruiser-admiral-nakhimov-to-begin-sea-trials-in-november-with-new-hypersonic-missiles |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=armyrecognition.com}}</ref> but this has been pushed back to "sometime in 2025."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-16 |title=After 25 Years, Repairs on Russian Kirov-Class Cruiser "Admiral Nakhimov" Face Further Delays |url=https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/after-25-years-repairs-on-russian-kirov-class-cruiser-admiral-nakhimov-face-further-delays/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Defence Security Asia |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Admiral Nakhimov started new sea trials in August 2025. "<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-16 |title=Russia's Upgraded Nuclear Battlecruiser Back At Sea After Nearly Three Decades|url=https://www.twz.com/sea/russias-upgraded-nuclear-battlecruiser-back-at-sea-after-nearly-three-decades/ |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=The War Zone |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
| scope="row"|{{ship|Russian battlecruiser|Pyotr Velikiy||2}}<br />(ex-''Yuriy Andropov'')
| [[Yuri Andropov]]
| [[Peter the Great]]
| 11 March 1986
| 29 April 1989
| 9 April 1998
| In service with the [[Northern Fleet]]
|-
| scope="row"|''Admiral Flota Sovetskogo<br />Soyuza Kuznetsov''<br />(ex-''Dzerzhinsky'', ex-''Oktyabrskaya Revolutsiya'')
| [[Felix Dzerzhinsky]], [[October Revolution]]
| [[Nikolay Gerasimovich Kuznetsov]]
| colspan=5 | Cancelled, 4 October 1990
|}
<gallery>
File:Tactical exercises of the Russian Navy.jpg|The Russian flagship ''Pyotr Veliky''
File:Kirov class cruiser.jpg|''Kirov'' at anchor
File:ARKR Kalinin flight deck with Ka-25 and Ka-27.jpg|The flight deck of ''Kalinin'' showing the hangar doors open and a [[Kamov Ka-25]] and a [[Kamov Ka-27]] helicopter
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[List of naval ship classes in service]]
*[[List of active Russian Navy ships]]
*[[List of ships of Russia by project number]]
*[[List of ships of the Soviet Navy]]
*[[Kirov-class cruiser]]
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
* {{cite book |last=Bishop |first=Chris |title=The Encyclopedia of World Sea Power |year=1988 |location=New York |publisher=Crescent Books |isbn=978-0-517-65342-5 |oclc=18199237 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofwo0000unse_v9e5}}
* {{cite book |last=Miller |first=David |author2=Chris Miller |title=Modern Naval Combat |location=London |publisher= Salamander Books |year=1986 |isbn=978-0-86101-231-2 |oclc=17397400}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Kirov class battlecruiser}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190224173710/http://militarynavalhistory.net/shippictures/art_kirov_class_battlecruisers_01.htm Illustrated article about the Kirov class]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/1144.htm Globalsecurity.org page on ''Kirov'' class]
* [http://www.steelnavy.com/KirovRBNF.htm ''Kirov'' class photos from Mark Meredith]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050515010054/http://ship.bsu.by/main.asp?id=100027 Encyclopedia of ships] {{in lang|ru}}
* [http://vs.milrf.ru/armament/marine/kr_peter1.htm Military Reform Support Fund] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080814144807/http://vs.milrf.ru/armament/marine/kr_peter1.htm |date=14 August 2008 }} {{in lang|ru}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070926225556/http://www.vif2ne.ru/nvk/forum/archive/279/279416.htm Forum discussion of ships' armament] {{in lang|ru}}
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/1144.htm FAS.org article] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907185738/http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/1144.htm |date=7 September 2008 }}
* [http://russianships.info/eng/warships/project_1144.htm Project 1144 – Complete Ship List]

{{Kirov-class battlecruiser}}
{{Soviet and Russian ships after 1945}}

[[Category:Cruiser classes]]
[[Category:Battlecruiser classes]]
[[Category:Kirov-class battlecruisers| ]]
[[Category:Cold War battlecruisers of the Soviet Union| ]]
[[Category:Cold War cruisers of the Soviet Union| ]]
[[Category:Nuclear-powered ships of the Soviet Navy]]
[[Category:Nuclear-powered ships of the Russian Navy]]
[[Category:Ship classes of the Russian Navy]]