Kara-class cruiser


The Kara class, Soviet designation Project 1134B Berkut B, was a class of guided missile cruisers built in the Soviet Union for the Soviet Navy. The NATO lists the class as "cruisers" mainly due to the Metel anti-ship missile system capable to strike not only submarines but also surface vessels.

Design

These ships were enlarged versions of the, with gas turbine engines replacing the steam turbines. These ships were fitted as flagships with improved command, control and communications facilities. These are dedicated ASW ships with significant anti-aircraft capability including both SA-N-3 and SA-N-4 surface-to-air missiles.
The specifications for the class were issued in 1964 with the design being finalised in the late 1960s. The gas turbine engine was chosen instead of steam for greater efficiency and quietness, and because the main Soviet gas turbine plant had a long association with the Nikolayev shipyards.
The cruiser Azov was constructed as a trials ship for the SA-N-6 missile system and was also fitted with the associated Top Dome Radar. During the Cold War she was confined to the Black Sea.

Ships

All the ships were built by the 61 Communards Shipyard in Mykolaiv.
NameRussianLaid downLaunchedCommissionedDecommissionedNotes
Николаев25 June 196819 December 196931 December 197129 October 1992Scrapped in India, 1994
Очаков19 December 196930 April 19714 November 197312 August 2011Purposely sunk in channel of Donuzlav Bay 6 March 2014.
Керчь30 April 197121 July 197225 December 197415 February 2020Decommissioned, towed to scrap yard 24 April 2020
Азов21 July 197214 September 197325 December 197530 May 1998Scrapped at Inkerman, Sevastopol in 1999-2000.
Петропавловск9 September 197322 November 197429 December 197626 February 1992Sold for scrap in 1996.
Ташкент22 November 19745 November 197531 December 19773 July 1992Sold for scrap in 1994.

Владивосток
5 November 19755 November 197631 December 19795 July 1994Sold for scrap in 1994.