Russia may decommission Kirov class battlecruiser Pyotr Velikiy due to cost of repairs


According to information published by Tass on April 20, 2023, the Kirov class battlecruiser Pyotr Velikiy may be decommissioned by the Russian Navy due to the ship's condition and the excessive cost of repairs and modernization.
Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link


Russian Vyborg Shipyard laid the Purga ice class coastguard ship of project 23550 925 001 Russian Kirov class battlecruiser Pyotr Velikiy. (Picture source: bigenc)


The Kirov-class battlecruiser is a type of warship that was built by the Soviet Union/Russia. She has a displacement of 24,300 tons (standard) and 28,000 tons (full load), and measures 252 meters (827 feet) in length and 28.5 meters (94 feet) in beam.

Her propulsion system consists of a 2-shaft, nuclear propulsion with steam turbine boost, which gives her a speed of 32 knots (59 km/h). The range of the Kirov class is 1,000 nautical miles (1,850 km) at 30 knots (56 km/h) with combined propulsion, but she is essentially unlimited with nuclear power at 20 knots (37 km/h).

The Kirov-class battlecruiser has a crew complement of 727, which includes 18 aircrew and 15 flagstaff. It is equipped with advanced sensors and processing systems, such as the Voskhod MR-800 (Top Pair) 3D search radar on the foremast, the Fregat MR-710 (Top Plate) 3D search radar on the main mast, and the Horse Jaw LF hull sonar and Horse Tail VDS (Variable Depth Sonar) for underwater detection.

In terms of armament, the Kirov-class battlecruiser carries a formidable array of weapons, including 20 P-700 Granit (SS-N-19 Shipwreck) anti-ship missiles, 8 × 8 (64) 3K95 Kinzhal (SA-N-9) surface-to-air missiles, 6 × 8 (48) S-300FM Fort-M surface-to-air missiles, and 6 × 8 (48) S-300F Fort surface-to-air missiles.

She also has 2 × RBU-1000 (Smerch-3) 305 mm ASW rocket launchers, 2 × RBU-12000 (Udav-1) 254 mm ASW rocket launchers, 1 twin AK-130 130 mm/L70 dual-purpose gun, and 10 533 mm ASW/ASuW torpedo tubes, which can fire Type 53 torpedoes or SS-N-15 ASW missiles. In addition, it has 6 × Kashtan (CADS-N-1) point defense gun/missile systems for close-in defense.

To protect the ship and its crew, the Kirov class has 76 mm plating around the reactor compartment and light splinter protection. She can also carry up to 3 Kamov Ka-27 "Helix" or Ka-25 "Hormone" helicopters in its below-deck hangar.