Key Points and Summary – After nearly 25 years in refit, Russia’s Kirov-class cruiser Admiral Nakhimov has begun sea trials, signaling a rare bright spot for a beleaguered fleet.
-Reports suggest a heavy modernization: ~176 vertical launch cells, 80 for Kalibr/Oniks/Tsirkon and ~96 for area air defense (S-300FM or possibly S-400), plus Pantsir-M and antisub systems.
Kirov-Class from the Russian Navy. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
-Yet the revival underscores constraints more than resurgence—Kuznetsov remains sidelined, new large-surface combatants are scarce, and war-driven fiscal and industrial strains persist.
-Ukraine’s Black Sea successes and unmanned systems further pressure Moscow’s navy. Nakhimov adds magazine depth and reach, but it doesn’t reverse Russia’s broader maritime decline.
Russia’s Admiral Nakhimov Kirov-Class Returns—But What Does It Really Prove?
The Russian Navy is not known for its size, scale, technological prowess, or lethality; yet, the country is now conducting sea trials of its now-repaired guided missile cruiser, the Admiral Nakhimov.
This ship is the third cruiser in Russia’s four-ship Kirov-class cruisers. One of the class is scrapped, while the other two are retired or being decommissioned.
Nearly 30 Years Out of Service
The return of the Admiral Nakhimov, which had been essentially “docked” for 25 years for repairs, seems to reveal certain realities within the Russian Navy. Not only is Russia’s only carrier, Admiral Kuznetzov, all but wiped from existence after mechanical, technical, modernization, and maintenance problems, but the resurfacing of an old cruiser would seem to indicate Russia’s inability to build a new ship for either strategic or economic reasons.
Kirov-Class Russian Navy. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The Admiral Nakhimov has been docked at the Sevmash shipyard in Russia since 1999. While Russian decision-makers decided to modernize, repair, and return the ship, work on the vessel encountered years of delays and did not actually begin until 2013.
Nonetheless, a Naval News article makes it clear that some of the modernization and upgrade work on the ship has potentially yielded extremely useful, technologically advanced improvements to the ship.
“The vessel reportedly has over 176 vertical launch cells, capable of firing a wide array of anti-ship and air defense missiles. The cruiser reportedly has 10 universal shipborne firing systems (USFS), each capable of housing 8 missiles. This results in 80 launch cells reserved for launching Russia’s most modern missiles such as the subsonic Kalibr cruise missile, the supersonic Oniks anti-ship missile, and the hypersonic Tsirkon cruise missiles. In order to make room for these launch cells, the 20 angled Granit anti-ship missiles were removed.” Naval News writes.
Additionally, the report suggests that the revived Russian cruiser may incorporate advanced naval warfare technology as a result of the upgrades. Could the Admiral Nakimov arm itself with famous Russian-made air defenses such as the S-400 or S-500?
Admiral Nakhimov Questions: Does Advanced Arming Make it an Updated Ship?
An additional 96 launch cells are reserved for surface-to-air missiles to be used for air defense. It is unclear what missiles are installed on the cruiser. Some reports state that the cruiser operates the S-300 Fort-M air defense systems, while other sources indicate that the S-400 air defense system is installed.
Additional air defense systems for close to medium range engagement include six Pantsir-M air defense systems. The vessel is reportedly also equipped with the Paket-NK and Otvet anti-submarine and torpedo weapon systems.
Sea Trials to Service for Admiral Nakhimov
The Sea Trials assessed the cruiser’s propulsion system and other operational elements; however, these developments with the Admiral Nakhimov seem more significant as an emblem of what Russia is not doing than an indication of progress in maritime warfare modernization with the refurbished cruiser. One might be inclined to surmise that perhaps Russia is pulling back its Naval ambitions by resurfacing the old ship in place of building new cruisers.
Failing Russian Navy
The series of problems and the ultimate failure of Russia’s only carrier appear indicative of the country’s struggling and beleaguered Navy. Therefore, the decision to refurbish the Nakimov may similarly reflect Russia’s vanishing Naval capability and ambition. There are several reasons to support this conclusion, the first of which is that Russia is likely experiencing massive economic and sustainment burdens related to its ongoing war against Ukraine.
Russian Navy vs Ukraine
Russia is likely facing shortages and challenges in its arsenal stockpiles, as well as maintenance and logistical problems stemming from years of war. Furthermore, Russia’s stalling Naval ambitions may be due to Ukraine’s success targeting Russian warships off the coast of Ukraine in the Black Sea. Following its one amphibious assault in the early days of the war, the Russian Navy has been defeated, destroyed, and pushed off and away from the Ukrainian shoreline.
Drone Boats for Targeting
A significant part of Ukraine’s success against the Russian Navy may have been due, at least in part, to the arrival of US Navy Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) drone boats.
Upon arriving at the Ukrainian coastline of the Black Sea, the USVs could have proven critical against Russian ships by providing Ukrainian shore-based command and control with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, as well as targeting information.
This would not only add to Ukraine’s threat awareness and efforts to defend its coastline but also enable otherwise unavailable targeting effectiveness.
A Russian ship’s location, movements, and arsenal might be more “discernible” with forward operating USV drone boats conducting reconnaissance missions, or even designating Russian ships or shore and surface-based attack.
Should a USV be able to provide Ukrainian anti-ship missile operators with maneuver and an improved ability to “target” Russian ships with long-range precision weaponry?
About the Author: Kris Osborn
Kris Osborn is the President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a highly qualified expert in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.
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