Russia's $5 billion gamble: "Admiral Nakhimov" nears sea trials
The Russian nuclear cruiser "Admiral Nakhimov" may soon commence sea trials, reports *The War Zone*, referencing information from Russia. This would signify an important milestone in the history of the vessel, which has been undergoing repairs since 1997, costing the Russians over five billion dollars.
The Russian defence industry has long struggled with the nuclear cruiser "Admiral Nakhimov". At the end of 2024, the Ukrainian military-themed service Defence Express reported that there was no foreseeable end to the repairs that commenced in 1997. Despite substantial Russian expenditures, the sea trials have been perpetually postponed, and the ship remains docked.
Will "Admiral Nakhimov" return to sea?
Recent reports from Russia, highlighted by The War Zone, suggest a change may be imminent. Russian state media claim that the cruiser's two nuclear reactors are now operational, and the ship is expected to undergo sea trials in the summer of 2025. It is important to note, however, that previously, Russians had set the trial date for November 2024. Therefore, it cannot be dismissed that the schedule for "Admiral Nakhimov" might once again be unreliable.
An anonymous source from the Russian state news agency TASS, allegedly linked to Russia's defence industry, reported that the physical activation of the ship's first reactor occurred at the end of December 2024. The subsequent reactor was activated at the beginning of 2025. "Factory sea trials of the cruiser with its going to sea will begin in the summer of 2025," remarked the TASS source, as quoted by The War Zone.
"Admiral Nakhimov", according to the Russians, is currently stationed at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk on the White Sea. It is a heavy missile cruiser of project 1144.2 (NATO designation: Kirov-class). The vessel was launched in 1986 under the name Kalinin and was renamed in honour of Russian Admiral Pavel Nakhimov after the dissolution of the USSR in 1992.
"Admiral Nakhimov" and its years-long repair
The ship is over 250 metres long and has a displacement of around 24,000 tonnes. It is powered by two KN-3 nuclear reactors, which offer almost unlimited operational range, limited only by supplies for its crew of approximately 700 personnel. The maximum speed of Admiral Nakhimov reaches 32 knots (about 60 kilometres per hour).
Before the modernisation, the cruiser was armed with 20 powerful P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles, S-300F Fort and Osa-M air defence systems, as well as 130 mm artillery and AK-630 close-in weapon systems. Additionally, it was equipped with torpedo launchers and RBU missile-torpedoes, making it a versatile asset against surface ships, submarines, and aerial targets.
The modernisation of Admiral Nakhimov began in the late 1990s, but actual work started only in 2013. The plan aimed to transform the vessel into the most formidable surface unit in the Russian fleet. It involves replacing outdated weapons with modern missile systems, including Kalibr, Oniks, and hypersonic Zircon missiles, which are intended to provide Russia with a competitive edge in naval warfare.
The air defence systems were also upgraded, introducing modern variations of the S-300 and Pantsir-M systems. New radar, sonar, and electronic warfare systems were installed. The work additionally involved the modernisation of nuclear reactors and propulsion systems.
