---
title: "The Return of the Giant: 'Admiral Nakhimov' Arrives in Severomorsk After 29 Years of Modernization"
description: "The legendary cruiser 'Admiral Nakhimov' has returned to Severomorsk after 29 years of absence. The ship has arrived for the final stage of state trials following a complete replacement of armament with hypersonic complexes. Experts assess the new role of the giant as a key element in the protection of nuclear submarines in the Arctic, despite the outdated geometry of the hull."
date: 2026-06-28T23:45:08.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/return-of-the-giant-admiral-nakhimov-arrives-in-severomorsk-after-29-years-of-modernization
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# The Return of the Giant: 'Admiral Nakhimov' Arrives in Severomorsk After 29 Years of Modernization

![Cruiser 'Admiral Nakhimov' on the dock in Severomorsk after completing modernization](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/28/admiral-nakhimov-vernulsya-v-severomorsk-posle-29-let/admiral-nakhimov-vernulsya-v-severomorsk-posle-29-let-1.webp)

The heavy nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser (HNGMC) 'Admiral Nakhimov' has returned to the main base of the Northern Fleet in Severomorsk. This event is significant for the Russian Navy: the ship has entered the port for the first time since July 1997, when it was sent for repairs. Thus, the hiatus in the cruiser's presence in its home harbor has lasted nearly three decades.

The ship of Project 11442 (modernized Project 11442M, code name 'Orlan') arrived at its permanent base, undergoing state trials following deep modernization at the facilities of JSC 'PO 'Sevmash''.

### Chronology of Return and Current Status

According to an official statement from the Northern Fleet press service, as of June 1, 2026, the HNGMC 'Admiral Nakhimov' began the final stage of sea trials. This stage became the logical continuation of key events in recent months: the physical start-up of nuclear reactors in January 2025 and the first sea voyage under its own power in three decades in August 2025.

The current transit to Severomorsk has a clear technical objective: to verify the integration of onboard communication systems, navigation complexes, and air defense means into the infrastructure of the base.

### Transformation of Combat Potential

The large-scale reconstruction of the ship, the contract for which was signed between the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and PO 'Sevmash' back in June 2013, radically changed the appearance of the cruiser. The actual entry into the dry dock took place in October 2014. During the modernization process, the original Soviet armament was completely dismantled.

The main change was the replacement of the SM-233 launchers of the 'Granit' anti-ship complex with universal ship-based vertical launch systems (UKSK). According to estimates by specialized defense publications, including Military Watch Magazine, the updated configuration includes 176 vertical launch cells. They are designed to house cruise and hypersonic missiles of the 'Kalibr', 'Oniks', and 'Tsirkon' families, as well as modern anti-submarine systems 'Paket-NK'.

The actual cost of the large-scale reconstruction, according to independent expert assessments, may exceed 200 billion rubles (more than $2.7 billion USD).

### Strategic Purpose and Technical Limitations

Defense analysts indicate that the main operational-tactical task of the HNGMC 'Admiral Nakhimov' in the waters of the Barents and Norwegian Seas will be to ensure the combat stability of the deployment areas of Russian strategic nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) of the 'Borei' and 'Dolphin' projects.

The cruiser, with a standard displacement of more than 24,000 tons and capable of carrying up to three Ka-27 anti-submarine helicopters, is oriented towards creating an Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) zone in the Arctic region.

However, international military experts point out specific technical limitations of the platform. Despite the deep update of radio electronic equipment, radar stations, and air defense complexes, the overall geometry of the ship's steel hull retained the design standards of the late 1980s. The ship was laid down on May 17, 1983, as 'Kaliningrad', launched on April 25, 1986, and entered service on December 30, 1988.

The absence of modern low-observability technologies (stealth technologies) makes this large-tonnage unit vulnerable to modern long-range detection systems and satellite monitoring by NATO countries.

### Legal Status and Prospects

Exact dates for the official signing of the acceptance act and the introduction of the cruiser into the combat composition of the Russian Navy are not disclosed by the competent authority. The leadership of the shipbuilding enterprise previously declared an intention to complete the testing program by the end of 2026.

The conduct of state sea trials is regulated by relevant Navy charter documents and state defense contracts. The inclusion of the ship in the forces of constant readiness is carried out exclusively after the signing of the act by the state acceptance commission and the issuance of the corresponding order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.