The modernized heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser (TARK) "Admiral Nakhimov", due to its concentration of missile armament, is capable of replacing an entire formation of small-class ships, according to military expert Andrey Kashkarov. The Project 1144 cruiser, after almost three decades of repairs, has already entered the final stage of testing.
The main change to the ship is related to its armament. Instead of the previously installed heavy anti-ship missiles "Granit", the cruiser received universal vertical launch cells for modern missile systems.
Open sources indicate that the total number of launch cells on the modernized "Admiral Nakhimov" reaches 176. They are designed to accommodate strike and anti-aircraft missiles. The strike armament includes "Kalibrs", "Onyxes", and hypersonic "Zircons", while S-400 complex missiles are provided for air defense.
It is precisely the combination of different types of weapons that Kashkarov considers the main factor that sharply increases the cruiser's capabilities. According to his assessment, the ship is capable of simultaneously solving air defense tasks and striking various types of targets.
Among the warships of the four fleets of Russia, such a concentration of missile armament of different types replaces 12-14 small-class ships.
This is not just about the total number of missiles. The large hull of the "Admiral Nakhimov" allows for the placement of strike systems, air defense assets, radar equipment, and other systems on one platform, which on smaller class ships are distributed among several units.
After modernization, the cruiser also retained its nuclear power plant. This allows it to remain at sea for a long time without the need for refueling.
The "Admiral Nakhimov" was laid down in 1983, launched in 1986, and entered service with the Navy in 1988 under the name "Kalinin". In 1999, the ship was sent for repairs, but the actual large-scale modernization began much later.
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