19.09.2009
Source:
Russian Ministry of Defense has developed the program of heavy nuclear-powered missile cruisers (HNPMC) renovation, said Vladimir Popovkin, Deputy Minister of Defense.
One NPMC
Petr Veliky is currently in service of Russian Navy, the possibility of renovation and upgrading of
Admiral Nakhimov and
Admiral Lazarev nuclear-powered cruisers is up for debate.
"We have several cruisers of this type as a Soviet Fleet heritage. We've developed a program of their renewal", said Popovkin on the air to
Ekho Moskvy radio on Saturday.
According to his words, the Ministry of Defense considers reasonable the presence of three such vessels in the Russian Navy; one is in the Pacific Fleet, two are in the Northern Fleet.
The necessity of heavy nuclear-powered missile cruisers is dictated by the tasks of remote cruises and exercises, explained the Deputy Minister.
"The nuclear-powered missile cruisers are essential, since diesels are too weak for that purpose", said Popovkin.
