OVERVIEW: The KIEV-class heavy aviation cruiser is a large, 4 shaft steam turbine-powered VSTOL aircraft carrier.

DETAILS:   The KIEV class is a hybrid cruiser and aircraft carrier.  The KIEV-class was not intended as a counterpart to USN strike carriers.  Rather, it was designed to support SSBNs and submarines, conduct ASW missions and support amphibious operations as well as land based ASW and SSC aircraft operations.  It lacks arresting gear and a catapult, leaving it capable of operating only VSTOL aircraft and helicopters.  This deficiency in striking power is partially compensated by the fitting of the SS-N-12 SHADDOCK missile.  Additionally, unlike most other Soviet ships, the KIEV class carries SHADDOCK reloads, enhancing its anti-surface ship capability.  The ADMRIAL GORSHKOV (ex- BAKU) is the fourth unit of the Kiev-class, and may be considered a separate class of vessel due to its significant upgrades, including a phased array radar, extensive electronic warfare installations and an enlarged command and control suite. Three of the class were sold to China or scrapped.  The BAKU/ADMRIAL GORSHKOV was sold to India and remains in active service. 

NOTES: Displacement: 43,000 tons standard
       Speed: 32 knts
       Range: 4,000 nm @ 31 knts; 13,500 nm at 18 knts
       Complement: 1,700 (approx.)
       In Commission: 1975-1993 
       Hulls completed: 4

SOURCES:  Polmar, Norman, and Siegfried Breyer. Guide to the Soviet Navy. Annapolis, Md: Naval Institute Press, 1983,  
126-27 ; Federation of American Scientists. "Kiev Class - Project 1143." Accessed December 28, 2013.  
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/1143.htm ; "Encyclopedia of Ship: Kiev" Accessed December 28, 2013. http://ship.bsu.by/ship/100000.

