COLD WAR SURVIVOR

The 1960s witnessed a distinct change in Soviet naval doctrine. Initiated by Admiral of the Fleet Sergey Gorshkov, the emphasis shifted from what was arguably a defensive, littoral stance to one of acquiring a long-range capability to engage NATO navies in their home waters. In order to meet the Soviet Union’s global ambitions, future vessels would require a more balanced armament, command and control capabilities, and have a much enhanced range and endurance.

These requirements resulted initially in the development of the Kresta and Karla classes of guided-missile cruisers, but around 1970 reports began to emerge of a new class of vessel being built on the Baltic. Nuclear-powered and designated Project 1144.1 Orlan (Sea Eagle), they became known as the Kirov class. While the official Soviet classification was Heavy Nuclear-Powered Missile Cruiser, western naval sources classified them as battlecruisers, a designation reflecting reports of their size, firepower and speed.

Baltic Yard no.189 in Leningrad (St Petersburg) was