Kara vs Kirov

Overview

The Kara and the Kirov are both Cruiser classes.

The Kirov displaces 28,000 tons — 2.9x the Kara's 9,700 tons. The Kara reaches 34 knots vs 32 knots for the Kirov. Operational range is 9,000 nautical miles for the Kara vs 99,999 for the Kirov. The Kara carries a crew of 380 vs 710 for the Kirov.

The Kara was produced in 7 units vs 4 for the Kirov. The Kara was commissioned in 1971, 9 years before the Kirov (1980).

Kara

Soviet cruiser, introduced in 1971, displaces 9,700 tons.
Origin 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Cruiser
Type Guided missile cruiser
Manufacturer 61 Communards Shipyard
Year introduced 1971
Number built 7 units
Estimated unit price NA
View full Kara details

Kirov

Ex-USSR battlecruiser, 28,000 tons displacement, propelled by a CONAS nuclear and steam turbine system.
Origin 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Cruiser
Type Heavy guided-missile cruiser / battlecruiser
Manufacturer Baltic Shipyard
Year introduced 1980
Number built 4 units
Estimated unit price NA
View full Kirov details

Kara

Displacement 9,700 tons ◉
Maximum speed 34.0 knots ◉
Range 9,000 nm at 15 knots ◉
Length 173.2 m ◉
Beam 18.6 m ◉
Crew 380 ◉
Propulsion 2 shaft COGAG, 4 × DN59 2x DS71 gas turbines, 120,000 hp (89,000 kW)
Armament
  • 2 × quad Metel Anti-Ship Complex anti-submarine missiles
  • 2 × twin M-11 Shtorm surface-to-air missile launchers (80 missiles)
  • 2 x twin 9K33 Osa surface-to-air missile launchers (40 missiles)
  • 2 × twin 76 mm (3 in) AK-726 naval guns
  • 4 × 30 mm (1 in) AK-630 CIWS
  • 2 × 5 533 mm (21 in) PTA-53-1134B torpedo tubes
  • 2 × RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers
  • 2 × RBU-1000 anti-submarine rocket launchers
  • 24 × S-300F surface-to-air missiles (Azov)

Kirov

Displacement 28,000 tons ◉
Maximum speed 32.0 knots ◉
Range Unlimited ◉
Length 252.0 m ◉
Beam 28.5 m ◉
Crew 710 ◉
Propulsion 2-shaft CONAS, 2× KN-3 nuclear marine propulsion with 2× GT3A-688 steam turbines 140,000 shp (100,000 kW)
Armament
  • 20 × P-700 Granit (SS-N-19 Shipwreck) AShM
  • 96 × S-300F Fort (SA-N-6 Grumble) surface-to-air missiles
  • 48 × S-300F Fort and 48 S-300FM Fort-M (SA-N-20 Gargoyle) long-range SAM
  • 64 × 3K95 Kinzhal (SA-N-9 Gauntlet) point defense SAM
  • 40 × OSA-MA (SA-N-4 Gecko) PD SAM
  • 1 × twin AK-130 130 mm/L70 dual-purpose gun
  • 8 × AK-630 six-barreled Gatling 30 mm/L60 PD guns
  • 6 × CADS-N-1 Kortik gun/missile system
  • 2 × 6 RBU-1000 305 mm ASW rocket launchers
  • 1 × 10 (Udav-1) 254 mm ASW rocket launchers
  • 10 × 533 mm ASW/ASuW torpedo tubes

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Kara-class or Kirov-class?
The Kirov-class has greater displacement at 28,000 tons compared to the Kara-class's 9,700 tons.
Which is faster, the Kara-class or Kirov-class?
The Kara-class is faster with a maximum speed of 34 knots compared to the Kirov-class's 32 knots.
Which has longer range, the Kara-class or Kirov-class?
The Kirov-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Kara-class has a range of 9,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Kara-class or Kirov-class?
The Kirov-class is longer at 252.0 meters compared to the Kara-class's 173.2 meters.
How many crew members do the Kara-class and Kirov-class have?
The Kirov-class has a larger crew complement of 710 compared to the Kara-class's 380 crew members.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Kara-class or Kirov-class?
The Kara-class has been built in greater numbers with 7 vessels compared to 4 vessels of the Kirov-class.

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