Design
The design started in the late 1960s, based around use of the P-500 Bazalt missile, and was intended as a less expensive conventionally powered alternative to the nuclear-powered Kirov class battlecruiser. There was a long delay in this programme, while the problems with the Bazalt were resolved. These ships acted as flagships for numerous task forces. All ships were built at the 61 Kommunar yard, in Mykolaiv, Ukraine (Nikolaev). The class was a follow up to the Kara class cruiser, constructed at the same shipyard and appears to be built on a stretched version of Kara hull.
The Slava class was initially designated BLACKCOM 1 (Black Sea Combatant 1) and then designated the Krasina class for a short period until Slava was observed at sea. The SS-N-12 launchers are fixed facing forward at around 8° elevation with no reloads available. As there was nothing revolutionary about the design of the class western observers felt they were created as a hedge against the failure of the more radical Kirov class. The helicopter hangar deck is located 1/2 deck below the landing pad with a ramp connecting the two.
Originally 10 ships were planned, but with the collapse of the Soviet Union only three were completed. A fourth vessel was launched, but final construction remains incomplete and the ship has not been commissioned into service.
Today, the three finished ships serve in the Russian Navy and the uncompleted fourth vessel, renamed "Ukrayina", is owned by Ukraine. Efforts have been made to complete and update the unfinished ship; in 2010, Ukrainian president Yanukovich stated that Russia and Ukraine would work together on the project. Russia has also expressed interest in purchasing the vessel, which Ukraine has previously offered for sale. However, as of early 2011 no final agreement has been concluded between the two countries, on this matter. The Russian navy has plans for extensive upgrades of all their Slava-class vessels during the 2010s; completing work on the Ukrayina may serve as a test-bed this.
Read more about this topic: Slava Class Cruiser
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—Freeman Dyson (b. 1923)