On August 18 local time, the Russian side reported that the factory sea trial of the Russian Navy's Kirov-class, 11442M nuclear-powered missile cruiser "Admiral Nakhimov" (also known as a nuclear-powered battlecruiser) officially began in the White Sea. The 11442M-type nuclear-powered missile cruiser "Admiral Nakhimov" can be equipped with 80 Zircon hypersonic anti-ship missiles and six Pantsir-M air defense missile systems. Its deterrence effect on the US Navy is better than any anti-aircraft carrier means of the Russian Navy at any period. The "Admiral Nakhimov" cruiser, the third ship of the Kirov class, which has been under major repair for 12 years, has started to go to sea. The trial navigation of the Russian Navy's 11442M-type nuclear-powered missile cruiser "Admiral Nakhimov" is a cause for celebration for the Russian Navy: because the Russian Navy finally has another flagship again. In the context of the Russian Navy about to abandon the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, the inclusion of the Russian Navy's 11442M-type nuclear-powered missile cruiser "Admiral Nakhimov" into the Russian Navy is indeed a strong stimulant for the Russian military. The Kirov-class nuclear-powered missile cruisers of the Russian Navy can launch the 40N6 air defense missile, which is the greatest significance for the Russian Navy. The 22350-type frigate cannot currently launch the 40N6, and the Russian Navy lacks true long-range air defense.
The Russian Navy's Kirov-class battlecruisers have less anti-ship capability than the 055-class 10,000-ton destroyers. Actually, if the Russian Navy's Kirov-class battlecruisers fire the "Kalibr" cruise missiles, they are really good. They are suitable for long-range firepower support for the Russian Armed Forces' operations in the Black Sea direction. It is best to stay in the open sea and serve as a large mobile missile launch base.
The Russian "Admiral Nakhimov" cruiser is just one big ship. Relying solely on itself, it cannot detect targets beyond the horizon. The missiles it fires also cannot be relayed. If the Russian military cannot solve the problem of long-range early warning radar, especially the terminal interception capability of low-altitude targets, and if there is no improvement, it will end up on the same path as the Moscow-class cruiser. The comprehensive performance of the Russian "Admiral Nakhimov" cruiser is far worse than the 052D destroyer. However, it has more vertical launch cells for missiles, making it good for land attacks. Even if it doesn't have the Zircon, it can carry 80 "Kalibr" cruise missiles, which would still be very powerful, serving as a weapons ship.
Original text: www.toutiao.com/article/1840868678371331/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.