SOVIET / RUSSIAN NAVY (USSR / RUSSIA)

Project history: These SSM cruisers (designated as destroyers, by the Russians) are production successors to the Project 1134/A with very similar hulls and the same pressure-fired steam plants. They evolved out of a 1970-71 TTZ for a 5000t ship carrying three single-barrel guns, an air defence missile (presumably Osa), and rocket launchers. It was intended primarily to support amphibious assaults, and was presumably associated with the large new amphibious ships, such as Ivan Rogov. The guns envisaged were presumably 130mm or larger calibre. Subsequent cost-benefit analysis led to drastic revision of the TTZ; the ship became a multi-purpose surface warship. This version of the design was completed in 1974, and shipyard work began in 1975.

    As redesigned, the new destroyer fitted the earlier concept of the short-range clement of an RKR division, armed with Moskit missiles. Defensive armament comprises a new semi-active missile, Uragan, paired ASW torpedo tubes, and RBU-1000 anti-torpedo rockets. In effect the twin tubes are equivalent to the ubiquitous US Mk 32, and the Russians probably equate the medium-frequency sonar to the defensive SQS-56 of a US Perry. This class also introduced a new gun, a twin 130mm.

    Unlike earlier Russian designs, this one has only a single main radar mast, carrying a back-to-hack unit. That suggests that both the ship's 'Second Captain' combat direction system and me missile system share a common radar picture, a considerable innovation.

    Two incomplete ships were completed by Chinese funds and were commissioned by Chinese Navy in 1999-2000 under the modernized Project 956E. Two more units were built for China under Project 956EM with only one 130mm mount but more effective equipment for helicopters.