Kiev modified-class

Summary

Description

The Kiev class, also known as Project 1143 Krechyet, signifies the Soviet Union's foray into constructing aircraft carriers, primarily serving the Soviet Navy. These vessels were unique as they were designated heavy aviation cruisers, marrying the role of a cruiser with that of an aircraft carrier.

Developed as a cost-effective alternative to a proposed supercarrier, the Kiev class was deeply influenced by Project Orel's design for a full-deck carrier, which was modeled on the dimensionally superior American Kitty Hawk-class. The decision to build a smaller vessel than originally planned was driven by economic considerations. The distinctive feature of the Kiev class was its dual cruiser and carrier capabilities, which strategically allowed the ships to bypass the Montreux Convention's limitations on aircraft carrier tonnage through the Turkish Straits.

In terms of design, the Kiev class presented an offset island superstructure and a two-thirds-length angled flight deck, with the foredeck hosting an array of missiles for surface-to-air and surface-to-surface warfare. The mission of these vessels was to provide support for strategic missile submarines, naval forces, and aviation units. Their operational capabilities included anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, and surface combat roles.

Four Kiev-class ships were commissioned, but with the fall of the Soviet Union, their operational history would diverge. Two of the ships were sold to China for museum display, another was scrapped, while the fourth vessel, Admiral Gorshkov, found a new life within the Indian Navy and was recommissioned as INS Vikramaditya after extensive modifications.

Armament varied slightly between the ships, but the class typically featured a combination of missile launchers, including the P-500 Bazalt and M-11 Shtorm systems, anti-aircraft guns, close-in weapon systems (CIWS), torpedo tubes, and anti-submarine weapons.

Technical specifications