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The '''Kirov class cruiser''' is the largest non-carrier surface combat vessel to be laid down and completed by any nation since [[World War II]].  The ships of this class were first built for the [[Soviet]] navy.  Its official designation is “missile cruiser”, although its size and speed qualifies it as a [[battlecruiser]].  It was also the first [[Russia]]n surface ship to use a nuclear powerplant.  Five ships were planned, but only four were built.  The first, the ''Kirov'' (later re-named the ''Admiral Ushakov''), was laid down in 1973 and commissioned in 1980.  It was followed by the ''Admiral Lazarev'' in 1984, the ''Admiral Nakhimkov'' in 1988, and the ''Pyotr Velikiy (Peter the Great)'' in 1998.  Only the last two are still in service, due mainly to Russia's lack of funds.

The '''Kirov class cruiser''' is the largest non-carrier surface combat vessel to be laid down and completed by any nation since [[World War II]].  The ships of this class were first built for the [[Soviet]] navy.  Its official designation is “missile cruiser”, although its size and speed qualifies it as a [[battlecruiser]].  It was also the first [[Russia]]n surface ship to use a nuclear powerplant.  Five ships were planned, but only four were built.  The first, the ''Kirov'' (later re-named the ''Admiral Ushakov''), was laid down in 1973 and commissioned in 1980.  It was followed by the ''Admiral Lazarev'' in 1984, the ''Admiral Nakhimkov'' in 1988, and the ''Pyotr Velikiy (Peter the Great)'' in 1998.  Only the last two are still in service, due mainly to Russia's lack of funds.

The cruiser’s main armament consists of 20 vertical launch tubes for SS-N-19 Shipwreck missiles.  It also carries 2 twin 5-inch guns, 2 quintuple torpedo tubes, and various short- and long-range SAMs and 30 mm guns for air defence.  Each ship also carries three Kamov Ka-27 Helix [[helicopter]]s for anti-[[submarine]] work.<ref>''The Vital Guide to Modern Warships'', by Leo Marriott, Airlife Publishing, 2001</ref>

The cruiser’s main armament consists of 20 vertical launch tubes for SS-N-19 Shipwreck missiles.  It also carries 2 twin 5-inch guns, 2 quintuple torpedo tubes, and various short- and long-range SAMs and 30&nbsp;mm guns for air defence.  Each ship also carries three Kamov Ka-27 Helix [[helicopter]]s for anti-[[submarine]] work.<ref>''The Vital Guide to Modern Warships'', by Leo Marriott, Airlife Publishing, 2001</ref>

The introduction of the Kirov class was an important reason behind the US Navy's decision to re-commission the [[Iowa-class battleship]]s in the 1980s.<ref>''The World's Great Battleships'', by Robert Jackson, Amber Books, 2000</ref>

The introduction of the Kirov class was an important reason behind the US Navy's decision to re-commission the [[Iowa-class battleship]]s in the 1980s.<ref>''The World's Great Battleships'', by Robert Jackson, Amber Books, 2000</ref>