They are incredibly powerful warships, beautiful to boot - modern day Battlecruisers - and would be a wonderful asset to any Navy .... but .... in 2011, what would be in every submariners "Top-3 Targets" list?
The Russian Defense Ministry is planning to refit three mothballed nuclear-powered Kirov-class missile cruisers in a major boost for the Russian Navy's combat strength, Izvestia newspaper said on Wednesday.
As a side-note; I had to deal with Kirov Hull 1 and a Victor III all in one day as an Ensign FWIW. A great Cold War day.
The Admiral Nakhimov, Admiral Lazarev and Admiral Ushakov nuclear missile cruisers were built in the Soviet era but have been decommissioned and laid up in dock for over a decade. The only active Kirov class cruiser is the Pyotr Veliky, the flagship of Russia's Northern Fleet.
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The ships' armament will get a major boost, with installation of advanced multi-module missile systems capable of firing a wide range of missiles and torpedoes, including P-800 Yakhont (SS-N-26) anti-ship cruise missiles.
The ships will also receive advanced air defense missile systems based on the land-based S-400 Triumf, and new point-defense systems.
Each cruiser will have a total missile carrying capacity of 300 missiles, making the ships among the best armed in the world.
Looks like you kiddies will get a chance to play with the old Soviet beasts too! Nothing better than a Kirov coming out of the fog....
Good times ... good times.