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Pyotr Velikiy (Yuri Andropov)

1998 MODERN NAVY

The story of Pyotr Veliky (Yuri Andropov)

Battlecruisers rose to prominence in the early 20th century, modeled after "cannon" battleships, while reducing armor to achieve higher cruising speeds. The British led the way in their design and construction, followed by other world powers at the time, including the United States, Japan and Germany.

Even into the 1980s, some world powers continued to support the concept of battlecruisers (though they were no longer shell-equipped warships), including the Soviet Union, which maintained the health of surface warships to work with its powerful underwater forces.

One of them was the battlecruiser Pyotr Velikiy, which was launched in 1986 and a full decade later in 1996. Before her launch, her name was Yuri Andropov, but with the fall of the Soviet Empire, she changed her name to Peter Velikiy to match the new Russia.

Internally, the Russian Navy classifies them as "missile cruisers" in keeping with contemporary terminology. Not surprisingly, the West sees her as a missile-oriented battlecruiser.

Although the Pyotr Velikiy was introduced late in the Cold War, it is still active in the Russian fleet. She officially entered service on 18 April 1998, at which time (2016) the ship was the flagship of the Northern Fleet.

She was the fourth of four completed Kirov-class battlecruisers (five were planned, the last was cancelled in October 1990).

When complete, the Pyotr Velikiy displaces 24,300 tons under standard load and 28,000 tons under full load. Measurements include a length of 827 feet, a beam of 94 feet, and a draft of up to 30 feet. Her crew consisted of 727 people, including 18 flight crew members. Airborne systems include Voskhod MR-800 3D search radar, Fregat MR-710 3D search radar and 2 Palm Frond navigators.

Fire control is controlled by the "Top Dome" system of the SA-N-16 series missiles, and the AK-630 Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) is controlled by 4 "Bass Tilt" units. SA-N-4 fire control is managed through 2 "Eye Bowl" systems.

The ship carries a Tomb Stone Passive Electronically Scanned Array (PESA) radar system, as well as Horse Jaw LF sonar and Horse Tail variable depth sonar arrays.

As a missile-guided cruiser, Peter Veliki's armament kit consists primarily of missile-guided weapons. 20 x P-700 "Granit" anti-ship missiles led the way, followed by 16 x 8 3K95 "Kinzhal" surface-to-air missiles. In addition, 6 x 8 S-300FM and 6 x 8 S-300 surface-to-air missiles are carried to counter air threats from a distance. This is further supported by 44 x OSA-MA PD surface-to-air missiles. Conventional armament includes AK-130 130mm gun with twin guns and turret deck.

Carry 2 RBU-1000 (Smerch-3) Anti-Submarine Rockets (ASROC) and 2 RBU-12000 (Udav-1) ASROC systems to counter submarine threats. In addition, the warship is equipped with 10 x 533 mm torpedo tubes for launching torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.

Equipped with 6 Kashtan point defense systems for melee attacks against incoming threats.

Installed power comes primarily from nuclear-powered propulsion systems, which provide a near-infinite operating range. The system is connected to a twin-shaft unit under the stern, allowing the vessel to cruise at speeds of up to 32 knots in ideal conditions.

Steam turbines provide boost capability and can propel the vessel up to 1,000 nautical miles with conventional propulsion. Total power is 140,000 horsepower.

The Air Force consists of up to 3 Kamov Ka-27 "Helical" or Ka-25 "Hormonal" naval helicopters. A complete airborne facility (in the form of a hangar) is available for helicopter launch, recovery and maintenance.

Pyotr Velikiy completed her sea trials in 1996 until she was stationed in the Northern Fleet outside Severomorsk. It became a training target for the ill-fated Kursk nuclear submarine in August 2000 (details elsewhere on this site), and was part of a salvage attempt the following year. In the new decade, her condition worsened until 2004, when she was found unfit for service.

Repairs were carried out before the end of the year to restore the warship to seaworthy condition.

In 2008-2009, she visited foreign ports many times and participated in joint exercises (Venezuela, India) under the situation that the relationship between Russia and the United States continued to deteriorate. In February 2009, she and her crew destroyed several pirate ships off Somalia. Over the next decade, more drills were conducted, as well as general patrol operations. In 2016, she crossed the English Channel with Kuznetsov Airways and a modest fleet, drawing some attention in Europe and the United States - no doubt to show the West amidst souring and intensifying relations some kind of force.

Russia is involved in the Syrian civil war (since 2011).