[Discussion] Admiral Nakhimov: Russia's Colossal Battlecruiser Returns to Power

[Uncrowned Guard]

Admiral Nakhimov Battlecruiser Reactivates Its Nuclear Reactors

The Russian Navy's nuclear-powered battlecruiser, Admiral Nakhimov, which was out of service for an extended period, is displaying encouraging signs of operational readiness, with its two nuclear reactors now reportedly activated. This impressive 28,000-ton vessel is scheduled to re-enter maritime service in the upcoming summer, although it has experienced several postponements in the past. Whether this timeframe pans out as planned remains to be seen.

Restoring the Vessel: Progress and Hurdles

According to an unattributed insider source from Russia's defense industry, the ship's second nuclear reactor was launched last Sunday. An earlier report disclosed that the first reactor was made functional in late December 2024. These successive launches signify the entire nuclear powerplant of the Admiral Nakhimov is primed for a full-operational state.

The Admiral Nakhimov first sailed in 1986 and belongs to Russia's Project 11442 class of warships, known in NATO circles as the Kirov class. Upon modernization, the battlecruiser will bear the revised designation Project 11442M.

Though the vessel stayed in dry dock for a lengthy duration to undergo a deep refit, its eventual reappearance aims to project a potent assertion of capability and prestige. The aftermath of this extended refit aims to field a refurbished vessel carrying new weapons and sensors, breathing new life into the Kirov class of Russian naval vessels.

Contingent Modernization Plans and Uncertainties

As it stands, the only current operative Kirov class battlecruiser in the Russian Navy is the Pyotr Veliky (Peter the Great), which is associated with the Northern Fleet and has only received minor modernization. Hence, it is primarily reliant on Soviet-era armaments and detection systems.

Simultaneously, plans for the comprehensive upgrade of the Pyotr Veliky — mirroring the methodical improvements applied to the Admiral Nakhimov — are steeped in uncertainty due to indications that the Russian Navy may retire the battlecruiser and instead, shift its attention to the Admiral Ushakov.

The objective of restoring the Admiral Nakhimov to operational status has been plagued by numerous interruptions and complexities. The ship sat idle for over a decade in the frigid waters of the White Sea before restoration work finally gained momentum in 2014. Despite several setbacks in the projected delivery dates, significant strides have been made in refitting the colossal warship.

Unique Ammunitions and State-of-the-art Defense Systems

The reworked battlecruiser is anticipated to house 174 vertical launch tubes, the most any surface combatant or submarine can boast, and will be equipped with modern weaponry including the subsonic Kalibr, the supersonic Oniks, and possibly the hypersonic Zircon.

The battlecruiser is also slated to feature an air defense network, with tubes packed with surface-to-air missiles of the S-300FM Fort system. The old arsenal will be reinforced by the Pantsir-M combined gun/missile systems which will provide robust short-range air defense.

A Strategic Naval Powerhouse

If the battlecruiser emerges fully equipped with the anticipated array of weaponry and sensors, it will establish the Admiral Nakhimov as the Russian Navy’s most formidable surface combatant. The revitalized battlecruisers will serve as the nucleus of the Russian fleets, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the return of the aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, to service.

In an era when the Russian Defense Ministry's focus is on the Ukrainian conflict and the enhancement of its strategic arsenal, the reintroduction of a revamped surface combatant offers some solace to the naval institution. This holds true, particularly in light of the shelf life of plans to inaugurate a new class of 'super-destroyer'. Current construction projects are more centered on developing frigates, corvettes, and new-generation submarines.

As the last operating nuclear-powered surface combatant in the world, the Kirov class illustrates a potent symbol of Russia's naval influence. With the Admiral Nakhimov set to rejoin the fleet, it will undoubtedly serve as a representation of the country's military might and standing for many more years to come.

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