Russian cruiser Admiral Nakhimov: A nuclear fortress carrying hypersonic missiles.
With 176 missile launchers and the Zircon missile system, the Admiral Nakhimov cruiser is considered by the US military to be an unprecedented threat to NATO forces.
The Russian Federation Navy has just put the heavy nuclear-powered cruiser Admiral Nakhimov into its final sea trials after a nearly 30-year upgrade program. With the integration of the most advanced weapons technologies, particularly hypersonic missiles, this warship is attracting significant attention from Western military observers.
Offensive firepower and groundbreaking hypersonic technology.
A comprehensive modernization program has transformed the Cold War-era warship into a modern combat vessel. According to the American magazine National Security Journal, the Admiral Nakhimov is now equipped with a range of interceptor missiles, close-in weapon systems (CIWS), and improved long-range integrated air defense systems. Most notably, it has the capability to carry up to 60 Zircon hypersonic missiles, giving it an overwhelming advantage in long-range anti-ship warfare.
The ship's weapons system comprises a total of 176 vertical launch systems (VLS). Of these, 96 are dedicated to the naval variant of the S-400 air defense missile system. The remaining 80 launch tubes are allocated to attack cruise missiles such as the Kalibr, the Oniks anti-ship missile, and the Zircon, a high-performance missile with a speed of Mach 9 and a range of 1,000 km.
Massive scale and unlimited operational capacity.
With a displacement of up to 28,000 tons, the Admiral Nakhimov is currently the world's largest surface warship, surpassing the size of the US Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Its nuclear propulsion allows the ship to operate with unlimited range, making it a unique "nuclear battleship" on the planet.
In addition to its offensive capabilities, this super cruiser has also been refitted with the Paket-NK and Otvet anti-submarine systems, along with the naval version of the Pantsir anti-aircraft missile and gun system. This overhaul project is estimated to cost more than 200 billion rubles, marking Russia's efforts to maintain its deterrent power in strategic seas.
Challenges to NATO's defense system
Experts believe that the appearance of the Zircon missile on a mobile platform like the Admiral Nakhimov poses a real challenge to NATO member states. The Zircon's high maneuverability and extremely high speed allow it to penetrate even the most advanced multi-layered air defense systems currently in use. Globally, only China's YJ-20 missile is considered to possess comparable capabilities.
The official return of Admiral Nakhimov to service after the acceptance testing phase will significantly strengthen the firepower of the Russian Navy, while setting a new benchmark for firepower for next-generation surface warships.
