Origin USSR
Type Aircraft Carrier
Year 1975
Displacement, tons 36 000
Dimensions, meters 274.0 x 41.2 x 10.0
Aircraft 32 Helicopters
Missiles 4 x SS-N-12 – 2 x SA-N-3 – 2 SA-N-4
Guns 4 x 76mm (twins) – 8 x Gatling 30mm
Torpedo 10 x 533mm torpedo (Also equipped with 24 barrel depth charges)
Main Engines 4 steam turbines. 180 000 shp.
Speed, knots 32
Range, miles 13.000
Complement 2500

A strong need for a purpose built ASW carrier prompted The Soviet Union to build the Kiev class aircraft carrier. Surprisingly it has a regular steam turbine (non nuclear). It could carry 32 helicopters, normally a mix between 12 Forger A, 1 Forger B, a vertical take off fighter aircraft in line with the British built Sea Harrier, and 16 Hormone A and 3 Hormone B helicopters for the ASW role. It had also offensive fire power in the form of SS-N-12, a Russian built cruise missile which can deliver a 1,000 kg warhead at ranges of over 500 km. In short the Kiev Class aircraft carrier is a formidable weapon.