Near Kiel, Germany 1 August 2017
Part of the Kirov-class heavy missile cruiser although by western naval specialist calls her a battle cruiser. Designed by Severnoe PKB. Originally named Yuri Andropov. Pennant in the past 183 and since then 099. Laid down at the Baltic Shiipyard in 1986, launched on 1996 and commissioned on 18 April 1998.Displacement 24.300 (standard)-28.000 (full load) tons and as dimensions 230 (waterline)-252 (over all) x 28,5 x 9,1 metres or 750-827 x 94 x 30 feet. Nuclear propelled with steam turbine boost with the 140.000 shp of horsepower allowing a speed of 32 knots. Crew numbers 727 men, another 18 for the aircrew for the 2 Kamov Ka-27 Helix or ka-25 Hormone helicopters (stored below deck) and 15 for the flag staff. The reactor compartment was protected by 7,6cm/3” thick armour and further more there was a light splinter protection. The armament of 20 P-700 Granit (SS-N-19 Shipwreck) anti-ship missiles, 16x8 3K95 Kinzhal (SA-N-9) surface-to-air missiles, 6×8 S-300FM Fort-M surface-to-air missiles, 6×8 S-300 (missile) Fort surface-to-air missiles, 44 OSA-MA (SA-N-4 Gecko) PD SAM, 2×RBU-1000 (Smerch-3) 30,5 cm ASW rocket launchers, 2 RBU-12000 (Udav-1) 25,4 cm ASW rocket launchers, 1x2-AK-130 13,0 cm/L70 dual purpose gun, 10-53,3 cm ASW/ASuW torpedo tubes, Type 53 torpedoes or SS-N-15 ASW missiles and 6 Kashtan (CADS-N-1) point defence gun/missile system.
