Since the mid-1960s Soviet naval construction has shown a consistent trend toward bigger ships with greater firepower, endurance and sustainability for distant operations. The latest example is the Kirov class, the largest surface combatants other than aircraft carriers built since the end of World War II. Their size, heavy armament and general sophistication have impressed Western navies, and the US Navy has felt compelled to refurbish and recommission four Iowa class battleships. The Kirov class ships appear to have two major roles, acting either as lynch-pins of aircraft carrier escorts in highthreat areas or as flagships for an independent task force.

   Classified by the Soviet Navy as Atomny raketny kreyser, or nuclearpowered missile cruisers, the Kirov class is a descendent of the battle-cruiser, a controversial concept for large, heavily armed and fast but very lightly armored warships promoted in the early years of this century. The two ships now at sea, Kirov and Frunze, show several important differences in armament: both are exceptionally well-armed, but the Frunze appears to emphasize the air defense role, whereas Kirov is better equipped for anti-submarine warfare, though the differences may simply be intended to test the operational capabilities of various armament fits.
  In place of the big guns of earlier capital ships the Kirovs have a powerful battery of 20 long-range S5-N-19 vertical launchers (probably armored) located in the forecastle. Over-the-horizon (OTH) targeting data for these 300nm (555km) range missiles is supplied by a command post ashore via a communications satellite; direct by surveillance satellites using electronic intelligence, active radar, infra-red detection techniques; or by the vessels' own on-board helicopters.

   The Kirovs also have sophisticated air defense systems. The SA-N-6 is a new high-performance model whose track-via-missile (TVM) guidance system enables the ship to control several rounds simultaneously and engage multiple targets. The missile itself has a range in excess of 46.5nm (80km) and a speed of Mach 5-6. Each of the 12 launchers is supplied by a rotating eight-round magazine.

   Kirov's short-range air defense missile system is the SA-N-4, a pop-up launcher housed in a magazine bin containing 20 missiles, but Frunze also has the SA-N-6. All Kirov's SAM launchers are on the forecastle, leaving the after quadrant somewhat naked; this has been rectified in the Frunze by sitting two four-tube SA-N-8 launchers on the quarter-deck, displacing the 30mm Gatling CIWS which have been moved to the after superstructure.

   Kirov mounts two dual-purpose 100mm guns aft. In Frunze these have been replaced by one twin 130mm turret, identical to those fitted to the Sovremennyy and Slava classes. Close-range anti-missile defense in both ships comprises four pairs of 30mm Gatling guns, sited port and starboard fore and aft to give all-round coverage.  These ships have to playa major part in their own anti-submarine defense, although there would, of course, be an escort of destroyers or frigates. Kirov has a reload able launcher for SS-N-14 ASW missiles on the forecastle, and both ships have rocket launchers, torpedo tubes and three Kamov Ka-25 Hormone-A/B (or Ka-32 Helix) helicopters for ASW and missile guidance.

  There is a large low-frequency sonar in the bow and an LF variable-depth sonar in the stern.
  The extensive electronics suite includes two major 3D air surveillance radars, Top Pair and Top Steer, plus individual gun and missile fire control radars. Kirov is fitted with the standard 1970s ECM/ESM outfit, with eight Side Globe broad-band hammers and four Rum Tub ESM antennas around the top of the tower mast, but neither system is fitted in Frunze, each being replaced by a different type of bell-shaped radome.

  The communications fit is also changed in the newer ship, the main visible change being the replacement of Kirov's Vee- Tube C by large bell-covered satellite antennas. This appears to represent a logical change in emphasis from long distance HF communications, notoriously liable to interception and jamming, to satellite links which are both more secure and able to handle much greater traffic . volumes.