SOVIET NAVAL SHIPBUILDING PROGRAMS: IMPACT ON MAJOR SURFACE FORCES

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: CIA Analysis of the Soviet Navy
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005499465
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 18
• Document Creation Date: June 19, 2017
• Document Release Date: June 19, 2017
• Case Number: SC-2007-00006
• Publication Date: November 1, 1973

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Intelligence Report
Soviet Naval Shipbuilding Programs:
Impact on Major Surface Forces
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SR IR 73-19
November 79/3
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Soviet Naval Shipbuilding Programs:
Impact on Major Surface Forces
November 1973
The Soviets continue to construct new major surface combatants and to
modernize some older types, but they are faced with a growing problem of
obsolescence affecting many of the ships in the current force.
Over a dozen new major surface combatants are currently under con-
struction in the USSR. These include two V/STOL aircraft carriers, four
frigates, at least seven destroyers, and probably a few ocean escorts.
A number of older combatants are being modernized. Recently com-
pleted programs include the conversion of two cruisers to command ships
and the addition of surface-to-air missiles to a number of destroyers. Current
programs involve improvement of antisubmarine, air defense, and probably
antiship systems on destroyers and installation of improved antisubmarine
systems on ocean escorts.
The overall capabilities of the Soviet surface forces also are being
enhanced by the introduction of new underway replenishment ships.
These programs will provide significant qualitative improvements in the
major surface forces over the next few years. The V/STOL aircraft carriers
will give the Soviet Navy an entirely new capability for the employment of
sea-based air power. The frigate, destroyer, and escort programs will sub-
stantially upgrade current capabilities for operating against surface, air, and
submarine opposition. In addition, these new and modified combatants, sup-
ported by the underway replenishment forces now being developed, will
provide better capabilities for operations in distant areas.
Despite these improvements, the Soviet Navy faces a growing problem
of obsolesence because many of the ships in the current force were built in
the early Fifties. To maintain the size of this force the Soviets would either
have to increase new construction rates substantially above present levels or
retain aging ships of doubtful combat effectiveness. From the evidence
currently available, however, Soviet planners apparently have chosen to
accept some reduction in the size of the force while deploying fewer but
relatively more capable surface ships.
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
November 1973
INTELLIGENCE REPORT
Soviet Naval Shipbuilding Programs:
Impact on Major Surface Forces
Contents
Page
New Construction Programs 3
V/STOL Aircraft Carriers 3
Frigates 4
Destroyers 6
New Ocean Escort 9
Underway Replenishment Ships 9
Major Conversion Programs 11
Command Ships 11
Destroyer Conversions 11
Escort Conversions 12
Impact on Future Forces 13
New Capabilities 13
Quality vs Quantity 14
Illustrations
Kuril Class V/STOL Aircraft Carrier
Kara Class Frigate and Kresta II Frigate .
Krivak Class Destroyer and Kashin Class
Destroyer 7
Underway Replenishment Ships 8
Selected Conversion Programs 10
Age Distribution of Soviet Major
Surface Combatants (Chart) 15
Comments and queries regarding this publication
are welcomed. They may be directed to
the Office of Strategic Research
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New Construction Programs
New major surface combatants under construction
in the USSR include the Kuril class V/STOL (vertical
or short takeoff and landing) aircraft carrier, the
Kara class frigate, and the Krivak class destroyer.
In addition, the last units of the Kresta II frigate
class and the Kashin destroyer class are nearing
completion. Other major shipbuilding programs in-
clude two new types of underway replenishment ships
and a new ocean escort class.
V/STOL Aircraft Carriers
The Kuril, the first Soviet ship designed to
carry fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters, is
fitting out . Displacing
Kuril Class V/STOL Aircraft Carrier
, (under r.onstructiort)
35,000-37,000 tons est.)
Artist's-Nigeirtion
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about 35,000-37,000 tons, it is the largest combatant
ever built in the USSR. The ship was laid down about
mid-1970, was launched in December 1972, and will
probably be ready for sea trials in about a year. It
could enter service in 1975. A second carrier was
laid down shortly after the first unit was launched,
and could be in service by 1977 or 1978.
Frigates*
Two of the nevi Kara class frigates are opera-
tional or on sea trials, and two more are under con-
struction These 8,900 ton
multipurpose combatants are equipped with an impres-
sive array of antiship, antisubmarine, and air defense
weapon systems. The fourth Kara hull, launched in
September 1973, apparently is being equipped with a
new weapon system.
With the
exception of aircraft and helicopter carriers, the
Kara is the largest surface combatant built in the
USSR since the Sverdlov cruiser program of the early
Fifties. Additional units of the Kara class or its
follow-on are expected to enter service at the rate
of about one per year through the late Seventies.
The last two units of the 6,800-ton Kresta II
frigate. class are fitting out
at Leningrad. Both probably will be completed within
the next year or so. Five ships of this type are
already in service and another four units of the
generally similar Kresta I class were built in the
late Sixties. Designed to operate against surface,
*These ships are officially classed as "light
cruisers" by Western sources on the basis of their
armament, but they are generally comparable in most
respects to US "frigates." See Problems in Comparing
US and Soviet Warships by Designation, SR RP 73-2,
July 1.973
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Kara Class Frigate
Kresta ll Frigate
6,800 tons
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air, and submarine threats, the two Kresta variants
form a key element of the USSR's modern surface
combatant forces.
Destroyers
Five Krivak class destroyers are operational and
at least six more are in various stages of construc-
tion. This relatively small, 3,680-ton class is
heavily armed in comparison with Western destroyers,
carrying both surface-to-surface and surface-to-air
missiles in addition to ASW sensors and weapons. It
is under construction at two locations
and is expected
to replace many of the older Soviet destroyers such
as the Kotlin and Skoryy class units built in the
Fifties.
The Krivak program apparently encountered diffi-
culties which extended construction times after the
first two or three units were completed. Recent
trends in new starts suggest that the Soviets have
resolved the problem, however. If so, the construc-
tion rate, now about two per year, probably will
increase to three or possibly four units per year
in the mid-Seventies. Continued Soviet development
of new sensors and weapon systems, however, may
lead to the introduction of a follow-on to the Krivak
by the late Seventies.
The 20th and last unit of
destroyer is now fitting out
. This class had an unusually long production
run, the first unit having entered service in 1963.
The Kashin serves mainly in an ASW role, but it was
also the first Soviet destroyer designed to carry
surface-to-air missiles. The last unit incorpo-
rates several improvements over, the basic model
and the Soviets have a program under way to make
these changes on older units. (See discussion
under Destroyer Conversion.)
the Kashin class
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Krivak Class Destroyer
Kashin Class Destroyer
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Underway Replenishment Ships
Boris Chilikin Class
24,450 tons
-t
Manych Class
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New Ocean Escort
The Soviets are building a new ocean escort
class\
Some of these ships
may be intended for export. Considering the large
numbers of escorts designed in the Fifties that are
still in Soviet service, however, it is believed that
the Soviet Navy will also use this ship. A construc-
tion rate of some four to six units per year by the
middle Seventies is projected on the basis of assumed
requirements and the observed pace of earlier escort
ship programs.
Underway Replenishment Ships
The first Soviet underway replenishment ship,
the 24,450-ton Boris Chilikin, entered service in
1971. A second ship of this class is now operational
and a third is fitting out
at Leningrad. A second type of underway replenish-
ment ship--the Manych class of about 8,000 tons dis-
lacement--is now under construction
One unit is already in service and another
is on e ways. Both types are expected to be pro-
duced at'a rate of about one ship per year.
The Chilikin and the Manych are the first Soviet
naval auxiliaries specifically equipped to provide
underway replenishment to combatants. Although they
are not currently being so used, the deployment of
these new auxiliaries will eventually ease the prob-
lems of supporting naval forces deployed beyond
Soviet waters.
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PEL
Selected Conversion Programs
Sverdlov Command and Conttol Ship
17 200 Ions
Petya I Class Destroyer Escort with Variabie-Depth Sonar
1,085 tons
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Major Conversion Programs
Concurrently with their new construction programs
the Soviets are modernizing some older combatants.
Command Ships
In 1972 the Soviets completed the conversion of
two Sverdlov cruisers to command ships. This work-7
included the instal-
lation of advanced communications systems, short-range
surface-to-air missiles, additional small-caliber air
defense guns, and helicopter platforms. One of the
two ships was also fitted with a helicopter hangar.
Destroyer Conversions
Three major destroyer modernization programs
currently are under way in the USSR. These programs
provide older destroyers with improved systems for
ASW and air defense and probably for combat against
surface ships as well.
The first of these continuing programs dates
from the late Sixties and involves the conversion of
the Krupnyy destroyer class, which became operational
in 1960, from an antiship missile launching platform
to a SAM-armed ASW destroyer. The converted ships
are designated the Kanin class. Five of the eight
Krupnyys have completed conversion and two more are
in the process.
A second destroyer program involves the Kildin
class, the first Soviet major combatant armed with
antiship cruise missiles. Two of the four Kildins,
which first became operational in the late Fifties,
are undergoing conversion to a new configuration--
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removal of the original antiship missile launcher
and the installation of four launchers similar to
those used on the Osa class guided-missile patrol
boat. The missile system involved
probably is a short-range antiship
weapon, possibly the SS-N-11. An alternative but
less likely possibility is a new antisubmarine sys-
tem--a cruise missile carrying a homing torpedo.
One of the Kildin conversions has already been com-
pleted and both could be in service in about a year.
The latest destroyer modernization program in-
volves the Kashin class. Changes include the addi-
tion of a variable-depth sonar, new small-caliber
air defense guns, and unidentified missile launchers
similar or identical to those involved in the Kildin
conversion. One modified Kashin has been completed
and two others are in the process of conversion.
The same changes also were incorporated in the last
newly built Kashin, which is now fitting out (see
earlier discussion). Similar modifications probably
will be made to most or all of the remaining Kashins
during the mid-Seventies.
In addition to these on-going programs, the
Soviets have added surface-to-air missiles to eight
old destroyers of the Kotlin class. The first of
these Kotlin conversions dates from the early Sixties,
and the other seven entered service in the 1967-1972
period. This program appears to have ended, although
15 gun-armed Kotlins remain in the inventory.
Escort Conversions
The Petya class ocean escort is being modified
by the addition of a variable-depth sonar. Two
conversions have been completed and at least two
more units are in process. This work is being accom-
plished in and the conversion probably
will be applied to many of the 47 Petya escorts
currently in the inventory.
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Impact on Future Forces
The construction and conversion programs outlined
will provide significant improvements in major sur-
face force capabilities over the next few years.
New Capabilities
The advent of the Kuril class V/STOL carrier
will open a new dimension in Soviet naval capabilities.
Although this ship will not provide air power com-
parable to that of a US attack carrier, it will be
armed with V/STOL aircraft which probably will be
capable of maritime reconnaissance and fleet air
defense. This will free naval forces from their
present dependence on shore-based aircraft for air
cover. The Kuril also is expected to carry helicopters
for ASW missions, providing capabilities comparable to
those of the Moskva class ASW cruisers. The carrier
could also participate in amphibious landing operations,
but this is not likely to be a primary mission.
The deployment of larger ships such as the Kara
frigates, combined with the forward support capa-
bilities of the new replenishment ships, will provide
improved capabilities for extended operations at sea.
Operating independently or in conjunction with the
Kuril class carrier, and supported by the Sverdlov-
,
conversion command ships, the growing force of mod-
ern frigates and destroyers will be capable of rapid
deployment and sustained operations in areas outside
Soviet home waters.
Current construction and conversion programs also
will provide significant improvements to the overall
ASW, air defense, and antiship capabilities of the
surface forces. All units of new construction are
being equipped with improved ASW systems and surface-
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to-air missiles, and many of the new classes also
have antiship cruise missiles. In contrast, most of
the ships in the current force must rely on guns for
both air defense and surface combat, and most of them
have inferior ASW sensors.
Quality vs Quantity
Current construction programs place more emphasis
on the capabilities of individual units than on the
numbers of new ships to be added to the force. This
emphasis is reflected in a general gtowth in the size
of combatants to accommodate new and more varied weap-
on systems and to provide improved endurance and sea-
worthiness. The trend is especially marked in the
frigate classes, which progressed from the 5,600-ton
Kynda of 1962 to the 8,900-ton Kara of 1972.
This trend toward quality over quantity presents
the Soviet Navy with a problem of structuring its
future forces. As a result of the high construction
rates maintained through the mid-Fifties, these forces
face a growing problem of obsolescence. (See chart.)
At present, about 15 percent of the force has been
in service 0 years or more; moreover, nearly
half of the ships in the present force were built
before 1959. A 1 the conventional cruisers and gun-
armed destroyers--about one-fourth of the major sur-
face combatants--will have been in service for 20
years or longer by 1977. Although a few of these
older sh,ips are being modernized, little effort has
been made to upgrade the capabilities of the remainder.
Many older units will soon be due for retirement from
the active fleet. The current conversion programs
involve ships built mainly during the Sixties.
To maintain the major surface forces at their
present size, the Soviets would either have to in-
crease construction rates substantially or accept the
retention of a growing number of obsolescent ships.
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Age Distribution of the Soviet Major Surface Combatants
Midyear 1973
Cruise re
Other than two Moskva class helicopter cruisers, the Soviet Navy has not built
any cruisers since Khrushchev deernphasized large ships in the late Fifties.
1 1
AU NW
3 5
8 10 11 T 12 13 14 15 18 17 18
Age in Years
Frigates
Soviet construction of frigate-size ships has been modest, but they are "
' relatively new and do not present problems of obsolescence.
2
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 17 18 19 20
Age in Years
Destroyers
Modest destroyer construction programs since the early Sixties,
coupled with large building *grams of gun armed destroyers in the
Oifties, account for a rapidly approaching obsolescence problem.
,
9 10 11 1 13 14 15 18 1 19 20 2i+
Age in Years
? ()dean Escorts
Although many ofsthe ocean escorts are relatively new, a large
portion of the force is rapidly approaching retirement age.
.10 10
Ii 12
Aga in Years
13 14 15 16 1
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During the past three years, for example, new deliv-
eries of major surface combatants have averaged about
six units per year, whereas it would take a rate of
about 15 units per year to maintain the fleet at its
present composition (size and age distribution)
through the Seventies.
Current trends suggest some pickup in
of construction of the Krivak destroyers,
roduction of the new escort class
would also help alleviate tie growing problem
o o solescence. Even with projected rates of three
to four Krivaks and four to six escorts per year in
the mid-Seventies, however, the surface forces could
not be maintained at the present level unless a num-
ber of older ships were continued in service.
From the evidence currently available, Soviet plan-
ners apparently have chosen not to attempt to maintain
the Navy at its present size. By emphasizing construc-
tion of new ships that are qualitatively superior to
earlier ones, they probably feel they can retire some
older units without an appreciable loss in the net
capabilities of the forces. The extent to which the
Soviets will allow the size of these forces to decline
through the remainder of the Seventies remains open to
question. Given the broad missions now assigned to
the Soviet Navy, however, it seems doubtful that naval
planners would willingly accept cuts in the size of the
force of much more than about ten percent.
the rate
and series
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