Destroyer
Kirov-class battlecruiser
The Kirov-class (Project 1144 Orlan) is a class of Russian nuclear-powered guided-missile cruisers, also called battlecruisers, built at the Baltic Shipyard and in service since 1980. Four were built, and only one, Pyotr Velikiy, is currently active.
Russia|Baltic Shipyard (Leningrad)Overview
The Project 1144 Orlan cruisers were built at the Baltic Shipyard in Leningrad, and the lead ship Kirov was commissioned in 1980. The four ships are Kirov (renamed Admiral Ushakov), Frunze (Admiral Lazarev), Kalinin (Admiral Nakhimov) and Yuri Andropov (Pyotr Velikiy). Each displaces about 28,000 t at full load, is 252 m long and reaches 32 knots with a nuclear-steam powerplant. Original armament included 20 P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles and S-300F air-defence missiles.
Pyotr Velikiy, commissioned in 1998, is the only active unit and flagship of the Northern Fleet. Admiral Nakhimov has been in deep modernisation since 2014 and will carry 74 UKSK cells for Tsirkon, Kalibr and Oniks missiles. It was relaunched in 2025, with handover targeted for the end of 2026 after long delays. Admiral Ushakov and Admiral Lazarev are decommissioned, and scrapping has been reported. Nuclear propulsion gives practically unlimited range, but upkeep is costly.
Key Specifications
Variants
The Project 1144.2 Pyotr Velikiy is the only active Kirov-class ship and flagship of the Northern Fleet.
The Project 1144.2M Admiral Nakhimov is the ship undergoing a deep modernisation with 74 UKSK missile cells.
The lead ship Kirov, later renamed Admiral Ushakov, is decommissioned, and scrapping has been reported.
Operators
RussiaFrequently Asked Questions
How many Kirov-class battlecruisers are there?
Four Kirov-class battlecruisers were built, but only Pyotr Velikiy is currently active. Admiral Nakhimov is in modernisation, while Admiral Ushakov and Admiral Lazarev are decommissioned and reportedly facing scrapping.
How big is the Kirov-class battlecruiser?
The Kirov-class is about 252 m long with a full-load displacement of around 28,000 t. That makes it the largest surface combatant in the world after aircraft carriers. Its crew is about 710.
Is the Kirov-class nuclear-powered?
Yes, the Kirov-class is nuclear-powered. It uses two KN-3 reactors with steam boilers (CONAS) and reaches 32 knots. Nuclear propulsion gives almost unlimited range, but maintenance is costly.
What weapons does the Kirov-class have?
The Kirov-class was built with 20 P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles and S-300F air-defence missiles. Admiral Nakhimov is being rebuilt with 74 UKSK cells for Tsirkon, Kalibr and Oniks missiles.
When will Admiral Nakhimov return to service?
Admiral Nakhimov has a handover targeted by the end of 2026, after sea trials reported in 2025. The modernisation began in 2014, and the schedule has slipped repeatedly, so the date remains uncertain.
Kirov-class vs Type 055: which is bigger?
The Kirov-class is bigger, displacing about 28,000 t against roughly 12,000 t for China’s Type 055. The Kirov-class is much older, however, and only one ship is active, while the Type 055 is a modern destroyer in series production.