CV32: Yes, yes, we hear this all the time from the Russian Navy, and yes, work has stopped and started before, and yes, its ambitious, and yes, its probably unlikely in the long run, but a refit with P-800 Yakhont (SS-N-26 Sapless), a naval version of S-400 Triumf (SA-21 Growler) and other modern weaponry is an impressive ambition. At least on paper.

 

From RIA Novosti

 

[excerpt]

 

17:54 21/09/2011

MOSCOW, September 21 (RIA Novosti)

 

The Russian Defense Ministry is planning to refit three mothballed nuclear-powered Kirov-class missile cruisers in a major boost for the Russian Navy's combat strength, Izvestia newspaper said on Wednesday.

Kewl but just think of the state the ships will be in...

Kewl but just think of the state the ships will be in...

 

All three were in some state of refit or overhaul about ten years ago. And probably kept intact to some degree since then, if only at a minimal level of maintenance.

 

It seems, at least at first glance, Admiral Lazarev (ex Frunze) would be least likely to return to active service. It is apparently moored at Abrek, near Vladiovostok, in the Pacific.

 

Nakhimov (ex Kalinin) and Ushakov (ex Kirov, but supposedly renamed Kirov again) are at Sevmash.

 

A recent (2010?) photo of Lazarev:

 

 

And of a newly repainted Kirov:

 

 

And Nakhimov:

 

Any chance of seeing these in an upcoming DB? As in, resurgent Russian navy vs deficit reduced USN or European navy?

Any chance of seeing these in an upcoming DB? As in, resurgent Russian navy vs deficit reduced USN or European navy?

 

I'd like to avoid the additional Mounts annex entries it would require, but it is probably an excellent candidate for Tony's HCStrikerFictDB!

I feel like wheeling out that comment about Maria Sharapova and the MiG-29K...

I feel like wheeling out that comment about Maria Sharapova and the MiG-29K...

 

Or perhaps just spend the time looking for new material?

I feel like wheeling out that comment about Maria Sharapova and the MiG-29K...

 

Or perhaps just spend the time looking for new material?

 

I've got that too:

 

There is more chance of my going twelve rounds with Nikolai Valulev than all three of these vessels returning to service.

I feel like wheeling out that comment about Maria Sharapova and the MiG-29K...

 

Or perhaps just spend the time looking for new material?

 

I've got that too:

 

There is more chance of my going twelve rounds with Nikolai Valulev than all three of these vessels returning to service.

I'd pay to see that fight! Probably much better than the Ortiz and Mayweather scrapping.

I've got that too: There is more chance of my going twelve rounds with Nikolai Valulev than all three of these vessels returning to service.

 

Twelve rounds?! I think you're liking the odds of the Kirovs returning to service in that case.