Krasina/Slava class

Guided Missile Cruiser

The Slava class was designed as a surface strike ship with some anti-air and ASW capability. This smaller contemporary of the Kirov may have been intended as a less-expensive complement to the larger ships. The sixteen SS-N-12 Sandbox anti-ship missiles are mounted in four pairs on either side of the superstructure, giving the ship a distinctive appearance. Many sources credit the Slava with the ability to carry nuclear armed SA-N-6 surface-to-air missiles, and 21-inch nuclear torpedoes, in addition to the SS-N-12. Soviet sources denied that the SA-N-6 missiles on the ship was even nuclear capable. They also indicated that the crane aboard the ship was used for handling boats, and not for loading or reloading SA-N-6 missiles, a procedure accomplished only at portside.

Initially designated Black Com1 by Western intelligence and subsequently the Krasina class , the first Slava class cruiser became operational in 1983, and by 1990 three were in the fleet, with the third beginning sea trials in August 1989. Some sources suggest that the Soviet Navy intended to build as many as 21 units of this class, which would have enabled the Soviets to replace the Kynda and Kresta classes as they retired in the 1990s. But such plans were not evident in actual Cold War era building activity. The low priority attached to this class was evident from the unusually long construction period of the units completed by the end of the Cold War, and the fact that only four units were laid down. The design is said to be marred by large quantities of flammable material and poor damage-control capabilities. Some sources suggest that as many as two additional units began construction before the end of the Cold War, but the status of these hulls is unclear, and there is no indication of plans to complete them [should they in fact remain in existence].

The Moskva (ex-Slava), which had been in refit at the Nikolayev yard since 1990-91, remained undelivered to the Russian Black Sea Fleet through the end of 1998. The Moskva was expected to return to service to replace the Admiral Golokov as the flagship of the Black Sea fleet. The Marshal Ustinov may also be laid up in refit, though sources are in disagreement on this point.

The fourth unit was initially expected to be launched in 1990, though in practice this vessel remained incomplete as of late 1999, having transferred to the Ukrainian Navy. On 21 February 1998 the government of Ukraine announced plans to complete the fourth Slava-class cruiser [ordered for Russia as the Admiral Flota Lobov] as its new fleet flagship, the Ukrayina.

Specifications

Designer:

Builder: 61 Kommuna #445 Yard, Nikolayev

Displacement (tons): 9,800-10,000 tons standard11,200-12,500 tons full load

Speed (kts): 30-32 knots

Dimensions (m): 185.9-186.0 meters long 20.8 meters beam7.6-9.3 meters draft

Propulsion: 4 gas. turbines108,800-110,000 shp2-4 propellers

Crew: 476-529 (84 Off, 75 WO, 370 Enl)

Armament:

Missiles: 16 x 1 Bazalt (SS-N-12) 'h 8 x 8 Fort (SA-N-6) Total: 64 'h 2 x 2 Osa (SA-N-4)

Guns: 2x 130 mm 70 .cal DP (IxII; R: 28'800 m) 'h 6 x 6 AK-630 gattl. AA (6x30 mm; 6'000 rds/m/mount)

Torpedoes: 2 x 5/533 mm

Other: 2 x 12 RBU-6000 ASW RL (R: 3'000 m) Helicopter KA-25

Systems: MR-800 Voshkod/Top Pair (Top Sail + Big Net), 3D Air Search radar

MR-700 Fregat/Top Steer 3D Air/Surface Search radar or

MR-710 Fregat-MA/Top Plate 3D (Admiral Lobov and Varyag)

3 Palm Frond Navigation

Argument/Front Door-C for SS-N-12 Fire Control

2 MPZ-301/Pop Group for SA-N-4 Fire Control

Volna/Top Dome for SA-N-6 Fire Control

Kite Screech for 130 mm Fire Control

3 Bass Tilt for Gatling Guns Fire Control

Punch Bowl SATCOM

MG-332 Tigan-2T/Bull Horn, hull mounted Sonar

Platina/MarKrasina/Slava class