Kiev-class aircraft carrier
Kiev-class aircraft carrier
The Kiev class, Soviet designation Project 1143 Krechyet (gyrfalcon), was the first class of fixed-wing aircraft carriers (heavy aviation cruiser in Soviet classification) built in the Soviet Union for the Soviet Navy. In addition to its aviation capabilities, the Kiev-class incorporated a large armament of anti-ship cruise missiles, surface to air missile systems, and sonar equipment, making it an aircraft cruiser.
Kiev-class aircraft carrier
The Soviet Union built and commissioned a total of four Kiev-class carriers, which served in the Soviet then Russian navies between 1975 and 1996. Kiev and Minsk were sold to China as museum ships, while Novorossiysk was scrapped. The fourth ship, Baku, was sold to the Indian Navy as Admiral Gorshkov in 2004, and after years of extensive modifications and refurbishment, is in active service as the INS Vikramaditya.
Development
The Kiev-class carriers were designed as a follow-on to the Moskva class (Project 1123 Kondor) ASW carriers. Initially, 3 carriers had been ordered by the Soviet Navy, (with Kiev being the third), however successful flight demonstrations by the Yak-36 VTOL aircraft created a shift in policy within the navy. A delay between the completion of the Project 1123 carrier Leningrad, and the planned Project 1123.3 Kiev led Commander in Chief of the Navy Sergei Gorshkov to suggest a redesign of the Kiev. This new design was designated Project 1143, and was built around a large angled flight deck for the operation of Yak-38 VTOL aircraft. Additional systems were included, such as a heavy anti ship armament, expanded SAM systems, and improved electronics. The final design was designated the Project 1143 Krechyet, with the first ship being the Kiev.
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