Heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser enters new testing phase
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The heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Admiral Nakhimov (Project 11442M), one of the most powerful surface vessels in the Russian Navy, carried out a new stage of sea trials on November 14, 2025, marking further progress in the long modernization process the ship has undergone since 2013.
According to information linked to the Sevmash shipyard, the vessel departed from the port of Severodvinsk to complete a series of technical inspections. Recorded images show the ship sailing at medium speed, accompanied by support and observation vessels, indicating another performance test of the nuclear power plant and the new electronic systems on board.
According to engineers involved in the process, this phase is considered one of the most important before the start of the so-called State Trials, conducted directly by the Russian Ministry of Defense. In this stage, the ship is evaluated in scenarios closer to real combat conditions.
Deep and multi-billion modernization
The Admiral Nakhimov has undergone an almost complete overhaul. The modernization removed the old P-700 Granit anti-ship missile systems and replaced them with universal vertical launchers capable of operating modern armaments, including:
- hypersonic missiles 3M22 Zircon;
- Kalibr cruise missiles for attacks on land and sea targets;
- Oniks anti-ship missiles.
In addition to the new armament, the cruiser received upgraded air-defense systems, a modern electronic suite, new sensors, communications systems, and a deep refurbishment of the nuclear propulsion plant, which should extend the ship’s service life by at least two more decades.
One of the largest warships in operation
With a displacement of more than 24,000 tons and nearly 250 meters in length, the Admiral Nakhimov remains among the largest surface combat ships in operation worldwide. Originally conceived in the Soviet era to counter NATO carrier battle groups, the cruiser continues to play a strategic role within the Russian Navy’s Northern Fleet.
Thanks to its nuclear propulsion, the ship is capable of operating for long periods far from support bases, projecting power into areas of strategic interest to Russia, such as the Arctic and the North Atlantic.
Next steps
Following the test recorded on November 14, 2025, the expectation is that the Admiral Nakhimov will continue undergoing additional sea trials in the coming weeks, focusing on validating all combat and navigation systems under intensive operation.
If the testing phases are successfully completed, the cruiser may be officially delivered to the Russian Navy during 2026, significantly strengthening the surface fleet’s capabilities and symbolizing the return of large Soviet-era platforms in a modernized form.
Source and images: Telegram @navyphotos | state news agency TASS. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
