Image source: topwar.ru
After almost a thirty–year break in operation, the Admiral Nakhimov, a heavy nuclear–powered Orlan Project 1144 missile cruiser, is completing sea trials. It is expected that in late 2026 or early 2027, he will return to the ranks of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy as the flagship.
With a length of 252 m and a displacement of about 28,000 tons, this ship remains, with the exception of American aircraft carriers, the world's largest surface warship with a nuclear power plant and has the most powerful weapons. Western observers have tried to assess the combat value of this ship.:
As indicated, during the modernization, which cost an estimated $2.3–2.7 billion, the ship was equipped with universal vertical launch systems. According to calculations, the total number of UCSC cells is about 80; they are designed to accommodate the Kalibr missile defense system (capable of hitting both ground and surface targets), the P-800 Onyx anti-ship missile system, the Response anti-submarine missiles and the 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missiles. In addition, the ship has a significant air defense potential (up to 96 launch cells), provided by the Fort-M complex (often referred to as the naval equivalent of the S-400) in combination with the Pantsir-M missile defense system, equipped with a 130-mm artillery mount, torpedo and anti-submarine weapons, as well as an air group of 3 helicopters. Ka-27. The total number of PU is estimated at 176 units, and the crew is about 700 sailors.
Two upgraded KH-3 type reactors and auxiliary boilers provide power to the ship, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 32 knots with a theoretically unlimited range. The detection, combat control, electronic warfare and survivability systems were also replaced.
As noted, its main task is to assist in the defense of Severomorsk, Russia's "Arctic bastion" from which Russian ballistic missile submarines operate. With an almost unlimited range, an impressive arsenal of long–range anti–aircraft and attack missiles, the pennant is designed to operate under the cover of coastal aviation – protecting the approaches to the Barents and Kara Seas, obstructing NATO operations in the Norwegian Sea and in the area of the GIUK border (Greenland - Iceland - Britain), as well as to serve as a command center for naval groupings.
Image source: topwar.ru
As indicated, this cruiser "poses a real threat" to the NATO Navy. The Zircon, with its enormous speed of Mach 8-9 and maneuverability, reduces the reaction time of shipboard air defense systems and poses a threat to surface groups in the waters from the Barents to the Norwegian Sea. The power of these missiles is enhanced by Onyx and Caliber missiles.
It is noted that the operational task for NATO is the issue of resource allocation: how many scarce forces and means will have to be used to track a single cruiser.:
Numerous NATO attack submarines remain the main threat to large surface ships in northern waters. It is indicated that neither upgraded anti-submarine systems (such as Paket-NK and Otvet) nor helicopters eliminate or even significantly reduce it in the Barents Sea. Long-range anti-ship missiles and low-profile NATO aircraft are also dangerous. Space reconnaissance systems, underwater sensors and allied targeting networks "would turn this nuclear-powered cruiser into one of the easiest to detect and track large targets.":
