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{{Short description|Class of aircraft carriers built for Soviet navy}}{{italic title|string=Kiev}}{{About|the ''Kiev''-class aircraft carriers|the lead ship of the class|Soviet aircraft carrier Kiev|other classes of ships|Kiev class (disambiguation){{!}}Kiev class|other ships|Kiev (ship)}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox ship
|section1={{Infobox ship/image
|image=Novorossijsk Kiev-class 1986.jpg
|image_caption=''Novorossiysk'' in 1986
}}

|section2={{Infobox ship/class overview
|name=''Kiev'' class
|builders=[[Black Sea Shipyard|Chernomorsky Shipyard 444]]
|operators=*{{navy|Soviet Union}}
* {{navy|Russia|1992}}
* {{navy|India}}
|class_before= {{sclass|Moskva|helicopter carrier|4}}
|class_after=*{{sclass|Kuznetsov|aircraft carrier|4}} (Russian Navy)
*{{sclass|Vikrant|aircraft carrier|4}} (Indian Navy)
|subclasses= [[INS Vikramaditya|''Baku'' class]]
|cost=
|built_range=1970–1987
|in_service_range=*1975–1996
*2013–present
|in_commission_range=
|total_ships_building=
|total_ships_planned=
|total_ships_completed=4
|total_ships_canceled=
|total_ships_active=1
|total_ships_laid_up=
|total_ships_lost=
|total_ships_retired=
|total_ships_preserved=2
}}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics
|hide_header=
|header_caption=
|class=
|type= [[Aircraft cruiser]]/[[Aircraft carrier]]
|displacement=42,000–45,000 tons full load
|length={{cvt|273|m|ftin}}
|beam=*{{cvt|53|m|ftin}} [[Length overall|o/a]]
* {{cvt|31|m|ftin}} [[Length at the waterline|w/l]]
|height=
|draught={{cvt|10|m|ftin}}
|power=
|propulsion=8 turbopressurized boilers, 4 steam turbines ({{cvt|200,000|shp|lk=in}}), four shafts
|speed={{convert|32|kn}}
|range=
|endurance=
|complement=1,200 to 1,600
|sensors=
*MR-600 'Voskhod' air-search radar
*MR-710 'Fregat' air/surface radar
*Privod-SV radiolocation system
*MG-342 Orion active bow sonar
*MGK-355 Platina passive sonar system
|EW=
*MRP-150 Gurzuf A
*MRP-152 Gurzuf B
|armament=*''See article for variations''
* 80 to 200 [[surface-to-air missile]]s
* 2 [[dual-purpose gun]]s
* 8 [[close-in weapons system]]s
* 10 [[torpedo tube]]s
|armour=
|armor=
|aircraft=*Up to 30, including:
* 12 × [[Yak-38]] aircraft
* 16 × Ka-25 or Ka-27 helicopters
|aircraft_facilities=Abbreviated angled aft [[flight deck]]
|notes=
}}
}}

The '''''Kiev'' class''', Soviet designation '''Project 1143 ''Krechyet''''' ([[gyrfalcon]]), was the first class of [[fixed-wing aircraft|fixed-wing]] [[aircraft carrier]]s (heavy [[aircraft cruiser|aviation cruiser]] in Soviet classification) built in the [[Soviet Union]] for the [[Soviet Navy]].<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Jordan | first1 = John | date = 1992-04-01 | title = Soviet Warships, 1945 to the Present | language = en-us | publisher = [[Lionel Leventhal#Arms and Armour Press|Arms and Armour Press]] | isbn = 978-1854091178 | lccn = 93107387 | oclc = 473749103 | ol = OL22267847M}}</ref> 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.<ref name=Babich /><ref name=Gardiner />

The Soviet Union built and commissioned a total of four ''Kiev''-class carriers, which served in the Soviet then [[Russian Navy|Russian]] navies between 1975 and 1996. {{ship|Soviet aircraft carrier|Kiev||2}} and {{ship|Soviet aircraft carrier|Minsk||2}} were sold to China as [[museum ship]]s, while {{ship|Soviet aircraft carrier|Novorossiysk||2}} was [[Ship breaking|scrapped]].<ref name=Gardiner /> The fourth ship, {{ship|Soviet aircraft carrier|Baku||2}}, 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}}.<ref>{{cite news | last1 = Gokhale | first1 = Nitin A. | date = 2014-06-14 | title = All you wanted to know about INS Vikramaditya | url = https://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-all-you-wanted-to-know-about-ins-vikramaditya/20140614.htm | url-status = live | work = [[Rediff.com|Rediff News]] | language = en-IN | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210226192605/https://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-all-you-wanted-to-know-about-ins-vikramaditya/20140614.htm | archive-date = 2021-02-26 | access-date = 2021-12-10 | quote = It was at this juncture that Russia offered Admiral Gorshkov to the Indian Navy. Negotiations over acquiring the 44,500-ton ''Admiral Gorshkov'' started in 1994. Various high-level delegations who had assessed the ship had independently concluded that the ship’s hull was in good material state and would be worth considering for exploitation in the Indian Navy with a suitable mix of aircraft.}}</ref>

==Development==
The ''Kiev''-class carriers were designed as a follow-on to the [[Moskva-class helicopter carrier|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.<ref name=Yefim /><ref name=Babich /> A delay between the completion of the Project 1123 carrier {{ship|Soviet helicopter carrier|Leningrad||2}}, 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.<ref name=Babich /> 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''.{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}

==Design==
Unlike most [[NATO]] aircraft carriers, the ''Kiev'' class was a combination of both a [[cruiser]] and an aircraft carrier.<ref name=Gardiner /><ref name=Moore /> The ships were designed with a large [[superstructure|island superstructure]] to starboard, with an [[Flight deck|angled flight-deck]] two-thirds of the length of the total deck; the foredeck was taken up with heavy [[Surface-to-air missile|surface-to-air]] and [[surface-to-surface missile]] armament. The intended mission of the ''Kiev'' class was support for [[ballistic missile submarine]]s, other surface ships, and naval aviation; it was capable of engaging in [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]], [[Anti-submarine warfare|anti-submarine]], and [[surface warfare]].<ref name=Gardiner /> In the Soviet Navy, this class of ships was specifically designated as a "heavy [[aircraft cruiser|aviation cruiser]]" ({{langx|ru|Тяжелые авианесущие крейсера}}, TAKR) rather than solely as an aircraft carrier.<ref name=Gardiner /> As a result, they were permitted to transit the [[Turkish Straits]]; the 1936 [[Montreux Convention]] only prohibited aircraft carriers heavier than 15,000 tons from passing through.{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}

===Armament===

The main antiship armament of the ''Kiev''-class consisted of a large [[P-500 Bazalt]] (SS-N-12 Sandbox) complex mounted on the foredeck. The P-500 was a large supersonic sea skimming cruise missile with the ability to navigate towards a target at high altitudes.<ref name=Babich /> The missile's range of up to {{convert|550|km}}<ref name=Babich /> gave the Kiev a significant antiship capability, far beyond that of its aircraft complement. This system included 8 launchers mounted on the foredeck, and associated guidance equipment. The Kiev and Minsk had a large storage bunker and crane for carrying 8 additional missiles, although this bunker was omitted on the Novorossiysk.<ref name=Babich /> The Baku equipped 12 launchers on the foredeck, and had no reloads.<ref name=Babich />

[[File:SS-N-12 missile launch tubes on the Kiev (1976).JPEG|thumb|upright=1|left|P-500 Bazalt launch tubes on the foredeck of the {{ship|Soviet aircraft carrier|Kiev||2}}. M-11 and Osa-M launchers (small disk) are also visible.]]

The ''Kiev''-class had a large air defence system similar to contemporary Soviet cruisers. This consisted of two [[M-11 Shtorm]] launchers to the fore and aft of the superstructure, which were used for long-range, high-altitude air defence. Two [[9K33 Osa#Variants|4K33 Osa-M]] launchers intended for short-range, low-level air defence were mounted to the fore of the flight deck, and aft of the tower. The Baku omit both systems in favour of four [[Tor missile system#3K95 Kinzhal (naval variant)|3K95 Kinzhal]] (SA-N-9 Tor) complexes.<ref name=Babich />

Artillery consisted of two AK-726 dual-purpose cannons, mounted on the bow and the aft superstructure. Eight AK-630 rotary cannons were mounted in pairs on corners of the ship, and acted in a CIWS role.<ref name=Babich /><ref name=Gardiner />

The Kiev was equipped with limited antisubmarine warfare systems. These consisted of an RPK-1 Vikhr nuclear depth charge launcher at the bow of the ship, and two RBU-6000 antisubmarine rocket launchers at the very end of the bow.<ref name=Babich /><ref name=Gardiner />

===Variants and modifications===
The class was divided into several subtypes; ''Kiev'' and ''Minsk'' were both of the Project 1143 type, while the ''Novorossiysk'' included several modifications, and was designated Project 11433. ''Baku'' was subject to extensive design changes, and was designated as Project 11434.<ref name=Babich />

The ''Minsk'' and ''Kiev'' were modified between 1982 and 1983 with the addition of aerodynamic devices. Wind tunnel tests by [[TSAGI]] had determined that the addition of aerodynamic fences and a smooth fairing to the leading edge of the flight deck would improve airflow, allowing for safer [[STOL]] takeoff performance by aircraft.<ref name=Babich /><ref name=Yefim /> These changes were added to the ''Novorossiysk'' shortly after its commissioning.{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}

Variations to the ''Novorossiysk'' included the removal of Osa-M missile systems, and the removal of the storage bunker for missile reloads. The length of the reload process would likely be extensive enough to be unused in combat, and was difficult to perform while underway, leading to its removal.<ref name=Babich />

[[File:SS-N-12 missile launchers.JPEG|thumb|upright=1.2|right|P-500 Bazalt launch tubes on the foredeck of the {{ship|Soviet aircraft carrier|Baku||2}}. 3K95 Khinzal launchers (disks to front) and AK-100 guns are visible.]]
The Baku was extensively redesigned, with a shortened island superstructure, expanded flight deck space, and enlarged elevators, in order to better accommodate the Yak-41.<ref name=Babich /> The M-11 Shtorm and Osa-M systems were also removed, and replaced with four 3K95 Kinzhal systems. The AK-726 cannons were also removed and replaced with two AK-100 cannons on the bow, allowing for the superstructure to be shortened. The increase in deck space from the removal of the AK-726, M-11 launchers, and RPK-1 launcher allowed for the cruise missile armament to be expanded to 12 missiles.{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}

== General characteristics ==
{{Prose|section|date=October 2025}}
* Designer: Nevskoye Planning and Design Bureau
* Builder: Nikolayev South (formerly Chernomorsky Shipyard 444) <ref name=Gardiner /><ref name=Moore />
* Power plant: eight turbopressurized boilers, four [[steam turbine]]s (200,000 shp), four shafts
* Length: {{convert|273|m|abbr=on}} overall [{{convert|283|m|abbr=on}} for ''Baku'' subgroup]
* Flight deck width: {{convert|53|m|abbr=on}}
* Beam: {{convert|32.6|m|abbr=on}}
* Displacement: 43,000–45,500 metric tons full load
* Speed: {{convert|32|kn}}
* Aircraft: 26–30
** 12–13 [[Yak-38]] VSTOL
** 14–17 [[Ka-25]] or [[Ka-27]]/29 helicopters
* Crew: 1,200–1,600 (including air wing)
* Armament:
** ''[[Soviet aircraft carrier Kiev|Kiev]]'' and ''[[Soviet aircraft carrier Minsk|Minsk]]'':
*** 4 × twin [[P-500 Bazalt]] [[Surface-to-surface missile|SSM]] launchers (8 missiles)
*** 2 × twin [[M-11 Shtorm]] [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]] launchers (72 missiles)
*** 2 × twin [[9K33 Osa]] launchers (40 missiles)
*** 2 × AK-726 twin 76.2 mm AA guns
*** 8 × [[AK-630]] 30 mm [[close-in weapon system]] (CIWS)
*** 10 × 21" torpedo tubes
*** 1 × twin [[SUW-N-1|SUW-N-1 FRAS Anti-Submarine Rocket launcher]]
** ''[[Soviet aircraft carrier Novorossiysk|Novorossiysk]]'':
*** 4 × twin [[P-500 Bazalt]] SSM launchers (8 missiles)
*** 2 × twin [[M-11 Shtorm]] SAM launchers (72 missiles)
*** 2 × AK-726 twin 76.2 mm AA guns
*** 8 × AK-630 30 mm CIWS
*** 1 × twin [[SUW-N-1|SUW-N-1 FRAS antisubmarine rocket launcher]]
** ''[[Soviet aircraft carrier Baku|Baku]]'':
*** 6 × twin [[P-500 Bazalt]] SSM launchers (12 missiles)
*** 24 × 8-cell [[9K330 Tor]] vertical SAM launchers (192 missiles)
*** 2 × 100 mm guns
*** 8 × AK-630 30 mm CIWS
*** 10 × 21" torpedo tubes
*** 2 × RBU-12000 antisubmarine rocket launchers
* Date deployed: <ref name=Gardiner />
** 1975 (''Kiev'')
** 1978 (''Minsk'')
** 1982 (''Novorossiysk'')
** 1987 (''Baku'')

== Ships ==
{|class="wikitable"
! Name
! Project No.
! Namesake
! Builder
! Laid down
! Launched
! Commissioned
! Fate
|-
|{{ship|Soviet aircraft carrier|Kiev|4=2}}
|1143
|[[Kyiv|City of Kiev]], Ukrainian SSR
|rowspan=3|[[Black Sea Shipyard|Soviet Shipyard No. 444]], [[Mykolaiv|Nikolayev]], Ukrainian SSR
|21 July 1970
|26 December 1972
|28 December 1975
|Sold to a Chinese company in 1996, converted into a theme park in [[Tianjin]] since 2004. Further renovated and developed into a luxury hotel since 2014.
|-
|{{ship|Soviet aircraft carrier|Minsk|4=2}}
|1143
|[[Minsk|City of Minsk]], Byelorussian SSR
|28 December 1972
|30 September 1975
|27 September 1978
|Sold to China as a museum, placed in naval museum in [[Jiangsu]] since 2016. Caught fire on 16 August 2024 future uncertain.
|-
|{{ship|Soviet aircraft carrier|Novorossiysk|4=2}}
|11433/1143M
|[[Novorossiysk|City of Novorossiysk]], Russian SFSR
|30 September 1975
|26 December 1978
|14 September 1982
|Broken up at [[Pohang]], South Korea, in 1997
|-
!colspan=8|''Baku'' subclass
|-
|{{ship|Soviet aircraft carrier|Admiral Gorshkov|4=2}}<br />(ex-''Baku'')
|11434
|[[Sergey Gorshkov|Sergey Georgiyevich Gorshkov]]
|[[Black Sea Shipyard|Soviet Shipyard No. 444]], [[Mykolaiv|Nikolayev]], Ukrainian SSR
|17 February 1978
|1 April 1982
|11 December 1987
|Sold to India in 2004, in service as {{INS|Vikramaditya|3=6}}
|}

== See also ==
* [[Flight deck cruiser]]
* [[List of ships of the Soviet Navy]]
* [[List of aircraft carriers of Russia and the Soviet Union]]
* [[List of ships of Russia by project number]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=Moore>{{cite book |editor-last= Moore|editor-first= John |title= Jane's Fighting Ships 1984–1985|year= 1984|publisher= Jane's|location=London|isbn= 0710607954|page=517}}</ref>

<ref name=Gardiner>{{cite book |editor-last= Gardiner|editor-first= Robert |title= Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995|year= 1995|publisher= Conway Maritime|location=London|isbn= 1557501327|page=374-375}}</ref>

<ref name=Yefim>{{cite book |last= Gordon|first= Yefim|title= Yakovlev Yak-36, Yak-38 & Yak-41: The Soviet 'Jump Jets'|year= 2008|publisher= Midland Publishing|isbn= 9781857802870}}</ref>

<ref name=Babich>{{cite book |last=Babich |first=Valery |date=2003 |title=Наши авианосцы на стапелях и в дальних походах. |trans-title=Our Aircraft Carriers: On the slipways and on long voyages.|language=ru |location=Nikolaev |publisher=Атолл |isbn=966-7726-69-X }}</ref>

}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Kiev class aircraft carriers}}
* [http://ship.bsu.by/main.asp?id=100000 Article on the Kiev Class] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428043951/http://ship.bsu.by/main.asp?id=100000 |date=2009-04-28 }} {{in lang|ru}}
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/1143.htm Article in English from FAS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102144952/http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/1143.htm |date=2010-01-02 }}
* [http://wunderwaffe.narod.ru/Magazine/MK/2003_07/ History of the Kiev] {{in lang|ru}}
* [http://worldweapon.ru/flot/1143.1.php Project 1143 ''Kiev''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104053903/http://worldweapon.ru/flot/1143.1.php |date=2009-01-04 }} {{in lang|ru}}
* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/russia/aircraft_carriers/kiev_class_overview.htm MaritimeQuest Kiev Class Overview]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20000229135456/http://www.webcom.com/~amraam/rcar.html History of soviet aircraft carrier development]
* [http://russianships.info/eng/warships/project_1143.htm Project 1143 Kiev]
* [http://russianships.info/eng/warships/project_11434.htm Project 11434 Baku/Admiral Gorshkov]

{{Kiev class aircraft carrier}}
{{Soviet and Russian ships after 1945}}
{{Aircraft carrier classes in service}}

[[Category:Aircraft cruiser classes]]
[[Category:Kiev-class aircraft carriers| ]]
[[Category:Cold War aircraft carriers of the Soviet Union|Kiev class aircraft carrier]]
[[Category:Ship classes of the Russian Navy]]
[[Category:Steam turbine-powered ships]]

Kiev-class aircraft carrier - Revision history

NoeMacmillan574 at 17:54, 5 May 2026