According to information received by TASS from a source close to the Russian Navy, the cost of repair and modernization of the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Admiral Nakhimov, a project 1144.2 Orlan vessel of the Northern Fleet, undergoing work at Sevmash, has surpassed 200 billion rubles. The person speaking to TASS noted that the price tag has nearly doubled since the project began and that the total figure is likely to continue rising as work progresses. At this stage, no official confirmation of these figures has been issued by TASS or the Russian Ministry of Defense, but the assertion highlights the escalating costs associated with one of the navy’s most substantial modernization programs. (Citation: TASS)
Sources close to the enterprise indicate that the rising cost drivers include not only the price of materials and components but also the expanding scope of work required by evolving naval specifications. The Navy has repeatedly adjusted maintenance and modernization tasks to incorporate changes in its operational requirements, sometimes necessitating replacements of key systems and components even as the project advances. This tendency to expand the work scope is a recurrent theme in long lead modernization programs, especially for ships that carry strategic importance and require cutting edge capabilities. (Citation: TASS)
Earlier, during the Army-2023 International Military-Technical Forum, Vladimir Korolev, who serves as deputy head of military shipbuilding at the United Shipbuilding Corporation, stated to TASS that Admiral Nakhimov would rejoin the Russian Navy in 2024. The forum remarks underscored the project’s perceived milestone, even as the timeline remained subject to change given the complexities of sea trials and system integration. (Citation: TASS)
Admiral Nakhimov has been in the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk since 1999 for repair and modernization work, with actual construction activity beginning in 2013. Shipyard leadership has periodically updated projections for the vessel’s return to service, reflecting both progress and the challenges inherent in upgrading a vintage hull with advanced weapons and propulsion. In the latest public statements, Mikhail Budnichenko, head of Sevmash, noted that the cruiser was expected to undergo sea trials either in December of the current year or in May of the following year. He emphasized that cabin configurations, onboard equipment, and ship systems would reach final readiness by that time. More than three thousand people have contributed to the project, and mooring trials have already been completed as part of the modernization program. The principal outcome cited by Sevmash officials is a significant increase in the ship’s strike capabilities, aligning Admiral Nakhimov with contemporary fleet requirements. (Citation: Sevmash press releases and public briefings)
The project’s broader significance lies in the modernization strategy for heavy nuclear powered cruisers within the Northern Fleet, aimed at enhancing long-range strike potential, survivability, and interoperability with modern command and control networks. Analysts note that the modernization of a flagship class vessel often serves as a barometer for industrial capability, naval doctrine adaptation, and the ability to sustain strategic naval presence in key maritime theaters. The case of Admiral Nakhimov illustrates how ongoing modernization efforts can evolve in response to evolving defense priorities, supplier dynamics, and the need to balance technical risk against the benefits of upgraded combat systems. (Citation: Industry analyses and defense briefings)
A separate note from parliamentary observers mentioned that there was consideration of presenting exhibits of damaged NATO equipment as part of a political or strategic narrative. This remark reflects a broader context in which military procurement and modernization programs are discussed in political forums, where symbolism and public messaging often accompany technical milestones. While such proposals would not change the technical trajectory of Admiral Nakhimov’s modernization, they illustrate the sensitive interface between defense projects and public communication. (Citation: Parliamentary commentary and defense discussions)