Admiral Nakhimov’s Nuclear Reactor Activated, Russia’s Most Powerful Warship Begins Sea Trials

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – After 26 years docked at the shipyard undergoing extensive repairs and modernization, the Russian Navy’s Kirov-class cruiser Admiral Nakhimov has reportedly begun sea trials at the end of December.

This milestone marks a historic moment as the warship’s nuclear reactor has been successfully reactivated, signaling the start of Admiral Nakhimov long-awaited sea trials.

“The heart of the warship (Admiral Nakhimov) is beating again,” reported the Military Maps Telegram channel, as quoted by the defense website Bulgarian Military.

Upon completing its sea trials, the Admiral Nakhimov is expected to return to active service with the Russian Navy.

However, the exact duration of these trials remains unknown.

Russia initially allocated US$2 billion (RM9 billion) for the repair and upgrade of the Admiral Nakhimov, but analysts suggest that costs have since doubled.

The modernization project began in 1999 at the Sevmash Shipyard.

The Russian Navy considers the nuclear-powered surface combatant, with a full load displacement of 28,000 tons, to be its most capable surface warship.

The Admiral Nakhimov and its sister ship, the Pyotr Velikiy, are the only two nuclear-powered surface warships in the Russian Navy.

The Navy plans to decommission Pyotr Velikiy once the Admiral Nakhimov is fully operational.

Several months ago, Sevmash Shipyard confirmed that crew training for the Admiral Nakhimov had begun.

Major upgrades to the warship include replacing the uranium fuel in its nuclear reactor and installing advanced weapon systems, including new cruise missiles.

The ship will be equipped with 176 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells capable of launching missiles against both land and air targets.

Among its advanced weaponry, the Admiral Nakhimov will carry Tsirkon hypersonic missiles.

Russian military observers report that the warship, now regarded as Russia’s most powerful surface combatant, will be armed with up to 60 Tsirkon missiles.

Capable of speeds exceeding Mach 8, these missiles can be fitted with nuclear warheads and strike targets up to 1,000 kilometers away.

In addition to the Tsirkon missiles, the cruiser will also be outfitted with Kalibr cruise missiles, Fort-M and Pantsir-M air defense systems, and the Paket-NK and Otvet anti-submarine systems.

Originally commissioned into the Soviet Navy in 1988 after construction began in 1983 during the Communist era, the warship was initially named Kalinin before being renamed Admiral Nakhimov in 1992.

Once sea trials are complete, the Admiral Nakhimov—Russia’s most formidable surface warship—will serve with the Northern Fleet. — DSA