Russian Project 1144 Orlan battlecruisers (the lead ship Kirov), once symbols of Soviet naval power, are hopelessly outdated. The nuclear reactors and other equipment of the last ship of this project, Peter the Great, need modernization, writes The National Interest.
Battlecruisers, designed in the threat environment of the Cold War, are vulnerable to modern anti-ship missiles and lack automation. Due to outdated systems and high operating costs, Project 1144 Orlan cruisers no longer meet Russia's strategic needs. Decommissioning Peter the Great will allow the country to redirect resources to building more efficient ships. Therefore, it is time for Moscow to retire these ancient monsters.
Characteristics of Project 1144 Orlan battlecruisers:
- Displacement — 24.3 tons
- Length — 252 m
- Width — 28.5 m
- Draft — 9.1 m
- The power plant consists of: 2 nuclear reactors, 2 steam turbines, 4 power plants, 4 gas turbine generators
- Maximum speed — 32 knots
- Crew — more than 700 people
- Armament: P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles, Kinzhal naval air defense missile system, S-300F air defense missile system
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