Kathrine Frich
They were engineered specifically to counter the threat posed by American aircraft carriers.
Russia’s Kirov-class cruisers have been highlighted as a formidable challenge to the U.S. Navy, according to Lenta.
Armed with an array of weaponry
These nuclear-powered cruisers, designed during the Cold War era, were engineered specifically to counter the threat posed by American aircraft carriers.
Brandon J. Weichert, a defense analyst and former U.S. congressional staffer, has underscored the significant threat that Kirov-class cruisers represent.
In a recent analysis, Weichert pointed out that these warships are armed with an extensive array of weaponry, including long-range anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and torpedo systems. This formidable arsenal makes them a potent tool for asserting Russian naval dominance and deterring potential adversaries.
Most Cost Effective
The Kirov-class was conceived as a more cost-effective alternative to the expensive U.S. aircraft carriers, providing the Russian Navy with the capability to conduct raids and potentially isolate U.S. forces from reinforcements in the event of a conflict.
Weichert noted that while Russia may not be a naval superpower in the traditional sense, the Kirov-class cruisers represent a strategic maneuver to bolster Russia’s maritime strength against the U.S. Navy.
The significance of these cruisers has been echoed by other analysts. Greg Lawson of The National Interest previously suggested that U.S. officials need to reassess their approach to Russia.
Lawson characterized attempts to influence political changes in Moscow as “dangerous ventures,” reflecting the broader geopolitical complexities surrounding the U.S.-Russia relationship.