STATUS OF SOVIET CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS FOR MAJOR SURFACE COMBATANTS, DECEMBER 1980

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81T00380R000100500001-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 3, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: February 1, 1981
• Content Type: REPORT

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National
Foreign
Assessment
Center
Secret ~~ti
Status of Soviet Construction
Programis for Major
Sarface Combatants,
December 1980
Secr~
~ al-l~ls
Fibrruy l981
22
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Status of Soviet Construction Programs for
Major Surface Combatants,
December 1980 (S)
As of late 1980, a total of 17 ships representing eight classes of major
surface combatants were either under construction or outfitting at
Soviet naval shipyards. These ships consisted of Krivak-I- and Krivak-
II-class guided missile frigates, Kiev-class guided missile V/STOL
aircraft carriers, a Kirov-class nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser,
445-F-class guided missile cruisers, Sovremennyy- and Udaloy-class
guided missile destroyers, and an 820-E-class frigate. Five additional
ships--a Krivak-I, Krivak-II, Kirov, Sovremennyy, and an Udaloy--began
sea trials during 1980. One of these ships--the Kirov--had completed
sea trials and was conducting operational workups, including cruise and
surface-to-air missile firings, at the end of 1980. What we believe to
be the final units of four of these ship classes--Krivak-I, Krivak-II,
Kiev, and Kirov--were either under construction or outfitting at the end
of 1 980.
The information and judgments presented in this publication were derived
principally from analysis of imagery. (C)
The authors of this paper are of the 25X1
Naval Branch, Technical Systems Division, Office of Imagery Analysis.
Comments and queries are welcome and should be directed Chief, Technical
Systems Division, OIA on (C) 25X1
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Between 1960 and 1970, the Soviets began construction programs for eight
classes of major surface combatants.l These consisted of the Kashin-
class guided missile destroyer (DDG) and the Kynda-class guided missile
cruiser (CG) beginning in 1960, the Moskva-class guided missile aviation
cruiser (CHG) beginning in 1963, the Kresta-I-class CG beginning in
1965, the Kresta-II-class CG beginning in 1966, the Kara-class CG
beginning in 1968, the Krivak-I-class guided missile frigate (FFG)
beginning in 1968, and the Kiev-class guided missile V/STOL aircraft
carrier (CVHG) beginning in 1970.
In the mid-1970s, four of these construction programs--the Kresta-II-
and Kara-class CG, the Krivak-I-class FFG, and the Kiev-class CVHG--
were continuing. At the end of 1980, however, only two of these pro-
grams--the Krivak-I-class FFG and the Kiev-class CVHG--were continuing.
During the 1970s, the Soviets began construction of five new classes of
major surface combatants: the Kirov nuclear-powered guided missile
cruiser (CGN) beginning in 1973, the Krivak-II FFG beginning in 1974,
the Sovremennyy DDG beginning in late 1976 or early 1977, the 445-F CG
beginning in 1977, and the Udaloy DDG beginning in 1978. Construction
of the first 820-E FF(G) began in mid-1980. All six programs were
continuing at the end of 1980.
Krivak i and Krivak II FFG
A total of 20 Krivak-I-class FFGs have been built at three Soviet
shipyards; one more is still under construction. The Krivak-I con-
struction program began in 1968 at Kaliningrad Shipyard State 820 in the
Baltic Fleet, where eight of the ships were built (figure 1). The last
of these eight became operational in 1975, shortly after the commencement
at Kaliningrad of the Krivak-II construction program. Six Krivak-Is
were built between 1974 and 1979 at Leningrad Shipyard Zhdanov 190, also
in the Baltic Fleet. Construction of the remaining seven Krivak-Is has
taken place at Kerch Shipyard Kamysh Burun 532 in the Black Sea Fleet.
Krivak-I construction began at Kerch in 1970, but the production rate
there has been slower than at the other two shipyards. By the end of
1980 only five Kerch-built Krivak-Is were operational, one was on sea
trials, and one--believed to be the last of its class--was still under
construction (table 1). Krivak-I-class FFGs are based in all four
Soviet fleet areas.
1For the purpose of this memorandum, major surface combatants are
defined as ships with a full load displacement of at least 3,000 tons.
(U)
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SECRET IS 81-10015
The Krivak-II-class FFG construction program replaced the Krivak-I
program at Kaliningrad Shipyard in 1974 (figure 2). As of December
1980, nine Krivak-IIs were operational, one was on sea trials, and one
was outfitting (table 1). Construction of Krivak-IIs has apparently
ceased at Kaliningrad and will be replaced by the construction of the
820-E class, which is believed to be a new class of frigate. The
Krivak-IIs are also based in all four Soviet fleet areas.
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Kiev CVHG
The Kiev-class CVHG construction program began in mid-1970 at Nikolayev
Shipyard Nosenko 444 in the Black Sea. At the end of December 1980, two
ships, the Kiev (based in the Northern Fleet at Severomorsk) and the
Minsk (based in the Pacific Fleet near Dunay), were operational (figure
3). A third ship--the Novorossiysk--will probably commence sea trials
in 1981 and a fourth--believed to be the last unit of its class--will
probably be launched in 1981 (table 1). Based on activity seen at
several Soviet naval facilities, we believe that construction of a new
aircraft carrier class, larger than the Kiev and equipped with catapults
and arresting gear, will begin at Nikolavev sometime after the launch of
the fourth Kiev.
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Kirov CGN
The Kirov-class CGN construction program began during the late summer of
1973 at Leningrad Shipyard Baltic Ordzhonikid 189 in the Baltic Fleet.
The lead ship--the Kirov--arrived in Northern Fleet waters in early
October 1980 and is currently based at Severomorsk (figure 4). In late
1980 this ship was conducting operational workups, including cruise and
surface-to-air missile firings. A second Kirov, believed to be the last
~h;n in this rl~ss, will be launched in 1981 (table 1).
Sovremennyy DDG
The Sovremennyy-class DDG construction program began between late 197
and early 1977 at Leningrad Shipyard Zhdanov 190 in the Baltic Fleet.
The first Sovremennyy is currently on sea trials and the second is
outfitting (figure 5). Two more Sovremennyys are under construction in
the construction hall at the Zhdanov shipyard and components for another
are being staged on an open building ways (table 1).
2The Sovremennys, now classified as "guided missile destroyers", were
formerly known as the 190-A-class CGs. The Sovremennyys are roughly
comparable in basic dimensions, displacement, and weaponry to the US
Navy's Kidd-class guided missile destroyers. Both Sovremennyy and
Kidd, in terms of basic dimensions and displacement, are comparable
to a World War II light cruiser. (S)
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445- F CG
The 445-F-class CG construction program began in early 1977 at Nikolayev
Shipyard Northern 61 Kommuna 445 in the Black Sea Fleet area (figure 6).
Although this construction program succeeds the Kara-class CG program,
the 445-F is not the successor to the Kara. The primary mission of the
Kara is ASW, anc' while the 445-F will have an ASW capability, its primary
mission probably will be anti-surface warfare (ASuW). The first 445-F
may begin sea trials by the end of 1981; two additional units are under.
construction (table 1).
Udaloy DDG
The Udaloy-class DDG construction program began in early 1978.3 These
ships are being constructed at two Baltic Fleet shipyards--Kaliningrad
Shipyard State 820 and Leningrad Shipyard Zhdanov 190 (figures 7 and 8).
The first Kaliningrad-built Udaloy recently began sea trials. A second
Udaloy is under construction at that yard. The first Zhdanov-built
Udaloy is outfitting and will begin sea trials in 1981. One additional
Udaloy is under construction on an open building ways at Zhdanov and
photographic evidence indicates that another may be in the construction
hall (table 1).
3The Udaloys, also classified as "guided missile destroyers", were
formerly known as the 820-D-class CGs. The Udaloys are comparable in
basic dimensions, displacement, arld weaponry to the US Navy's Spruance-
class destroyers. Both Udaloy and Spruance, in terms of basic dimensions
and displacement, are comparable to a World War II light cruiser. ~~
25X1
25X1
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- FF G
Construction of what is apparently a new class of frigate began in mid-
1980 at Kaliningrad Shipyard State 820 in the Baltic Fleet. This sf~ip--
the 820-E FF(G)--is probably the successor to the Krivak-II-class FFGs
built at this yard.4 When seen in the early stages of construction in
late December 1980, the 820-E had a beam and projected waterline length
similar to that of a Krivak-II (figure 9). It is, however, structurally
different from the Krivak-II. The arrangement of major structural
bulkheads in the 820-E and the machinery access openings do not match
those observed in Krivak hulls constructed at this yard. Another
indicator of a new ship class is that the ways on which the 820-E is
being assembled had been unoccupied for more than a year and a half
after the launch of a Krivak-II. A ways remaining unoccupied for this
length of time is unprecedented at Kaliningrad. Throughout the 19-unit
Krivak-I/II construction program at Kaliningrad, this ways was unoccupied
for an average of only about nine months, even during the transition
from Krivak-I to Krivak-II production in 1974.
4The designation FF(G) means that the ship may or may not be equipped
with a missile system, either surface-to-surface or surface-to-air. (U)
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Table 1. Status of Soviet Construction Programs for Major Surface
Combatants, December 1980 (S)
Class
Unit Status Remarks
Krivak-I FFG
(Kerch)
Krivak-II FFG
Kiev CVHG
Kirov CGN
Hull 6 Sea Trials
Hull 7 Under Construction
H~11 10 Sea Trials
Hull 11 Outfitting
Hull 3 Outfitting
Hull 4 Under Construction Launch probably in 1981.
Hull 1 Operational Workups Based at Severomorsk.
H~~11 2 Under Construction Launch in 1981.
Sovremennyy DDG
Hull
1 Sea Trials
Hull
2 Outfitting
Hull
3 Under Construction In construction hall.
Hull
4 Under Construction in construction hall.
Hull
5 Staging Components on ways.
445-F CG
Hull
1 Outfitting
Hull
2 Under Construction Launch impending.
H~~11
3 Under Construction
Udaloy DDG
(Kaliningrad)
Hull 1 Sea Trials
Hull 2 Under Construction
(Leningrad/Zhdanov)
Hull
1 Outfitting
H~11
2 Under Construction
Hull
3 Under Construction Believed to be in
construction hall.
820-E FF(G)
Hull 1 Under Construction Believed to be
Krivak successor.
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References
Requirement
C-SR8-80,731
OIA Project Number and Status
4A0078 (Continuing)
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Secret
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