Type 055 Destroyer vs Kirov Battlecruiser - Warship Comparison

[@simonyip5978]

If the men who served in the PLA Navy back in the 70's and 80's and 90's could see their navy today, I believe that they would be so proud and pleased to see how much progress has been made.

[@hyy3657]

economic is the base

[@jerromedrakejr9332]

If the men who served in the US Navy back in the 70's and 80's and 90's could see their navy today, I believe that they would be so pissed to see that ZERO progress has been made...

[@Triggatra4258]

Screw those Commies!!! 🤮🤮🤮🔥🔥🔥🇷🇺🇨🇳 BURN!!!! WE (USA) RULE!!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💯

[@u06jo3vmp]

Most of them are still alive now, only 60~70 years old

[@NeMayful]

Interesting comparison. I've never thought of they're comparable though -- different products of different era -- but we've seen enough comparison of the same era ships, this is very fresh to see. Thanks!

[@EurasiaNaval]

Fair enough!

[@davecai999]

Kirov was a cold-war relic, a once powerful but aging platform, its actual combat readiness is a big question mark. On the other hand, 055 is a 2020s modern warship, sleek & agile, and likely could deal a heavy blow to any opponents.

[@jerromedrakejr9332]

It depends on which Kirov you mean... Peter the Great is a relic, but the Admiral Nahimov is a very modern ship. Regardless of the age of the ship itself, its strength is determined by the weapons it carries...

[@ser43_OLDC]

The admiral Nahimov can wipeout the navy of entires countries and bomb more objetives in ground than any ship know to this time alone. Now imagine this followes by frigates

[@felixsu375]

Not to mention that the Type 055 VLS launch cells have 4 pack medium range SAMs. Which means it will have far more air defense missiles than Russian or US destroyers. Far outclassing them in air defense. Without air defense, the ship will get destroyed by enemy fighters. Because of the 4 pack, the Type 055 also may have more anti-ship missiles than the Kirov with a similar loadout.

[@indomitablesin984]

Anti-ship missiles can be quad-packed as well?

[@mirror452]

@@indomitablesin984 Not as far as I know, but if you can quad pack your air defence you may have overall more VLS cells available for anti-ship missiles.

[@chrisdoulou8149]

It will give it an advantage over Russian warships however the quad pack setup will just give it parity with western warships armed with the ESSM. Quad packing is a massive advantage that western warships have had, it’s what gives ships like the RAN’s Hobart class Air Warfare Destroyer a larger amount of usable surface to air missiles than the Type 052D, even though it has 24 less VLS tubes. With 48 tubes, even if it carries 16 tomahawks, it still has room for 24 SM-2/6 as well as 32 ESSM. Dropping the Tomahawk numbers to 8, it has an option of adding 8 more standards or a further 32 ESSM. Being a 70km range, active radar missile, it’s capable of not just self defence but also of limited wide area air defence. The PLAN needs to get quad pack VLS fitted to its Type 052D to make up for its shortage of VLS vs the later Arleigh Bourke class DDG, as well as to fit them on the future 056B frigate. I’m not sure if it can fit them to the 054A but if so it’s probably the ship that would have most to gain from it, theoretically quadrupling it’s SAM arsenal, or more sensibly, doubling it, while freeing up 16 tubes for anti ship, anti sub, or long range air defence missiles.

[@The136th]

@@chrisdoulou8149 055 and 052D us the same VLS, so anything that fit on 055 will work on 052D

[@chrisdoulou8149]

@@The136th Nope, the VLS on the 055 is longer and wider than either the standard VLS on other PLAN warships or the MK41 VLS that’s the western standard. It’s why the Type 055 can fit the YJ-21 while the others can’t

[@hughmungus2760]

it should be noted that the kirov is one of the few modern warships with some degree of armour, only around 76mm around critical components, but much better than totally unarmoured.

[@EurasiaNaval]

True, sir

[@JD-dm1uj]

To me, it’s not even comparable, the Type 055 is the best class of ship in the world at the moment. The sensor suite and the overall complement of munitions it can support puts it in a class of its own. I expect the DDG(X) to likely surpass the 055A when both become available in the near future. I don’t believe the Nakhimov modernization program will ever be completed given the current financial situation in Russia.

[@EurasiaNaval]

Yeah fair enough. TASS has been reporting quite substantially on the Admiral Nakhimov modernisation quite significantly earlier this year, but they have fallen quiet on the project in recent months, which is weird especially since a 'deadline' regarding a key milestone (delivery to the Russian Navy) are due for completion by the end of 2022. One cannot help but speculate that they ran into difficulties in delivering the project on schedule, possibly reflecting war, sanctions and other effects. That said, it is quite often for Russian naval projects to be delayed for one reason or another, even without the current situation.

[@JD-dm1uj]

@@EurasiaNaval One key note, the Nakhimov is reportedly going to carry a naval version of the S-500, which is substantially more capable than the HQ-9Bs, the S-500s will most likely be able function in an SSM and ASM mode outside of its designated air defense role which would greatly add to the Nakhimov’s overall strike capabilities.

[@EurasiaNaval]

@@JD-dm1uj Yes, if the Admiral Nakhimov is indeed refitted with a navalised S-500, it should be very capable. However, I was a bit cautious on confirming an air defence upgrade for the ship, because there has been conflicting views from reputable sources. As late as the middle of this year, commentators believed a naval S-400 will be installed, but more recently the newsflow has shifted back to an upgraded S-300FM, and to my knowledge there is no evidence of a navalised S-400 yet (could be wrong, but I cannot find any). This is a far cry from plans to install the S-500 a couple of years ago. So... I'm not sure what to make of all this. It is fair to say the 3S14 VLS upgrade will certainly take place, because these are functional systems. On the air defence refit, I can't really be so sure.

[@JD-dm1uj]

@@EurasiaNaval Great points, concur on all!

[@JD-dm1uj]

@sgfhk321 Tremendously poor take, I’ll leave it there…a giant has been awoken, once more!

[@geopoliticsjunkie4114]

Interesting I never considered comparing them until the title hit me , I don't know why. Good stuff as usual.

[@EurasiaNaval]

Thank you, friend

[@johnbodman4504]

Another great and well researched video. It would be interesting to see a modern Russian ship, because the Kirov is forty years old. but I am sure that it was good in its day.

[@EurasiaNaval]

Thanks John. Fair enough

[@chrisdoulou8149]

The biggest problem for the Kirov is that it will suffer the same fate as the Bismarck or Yamato. Both of those ships suffered from the same flawed thinking of “we can’t beat our adversary with numbers, funding or experience, so we’ll build a couple of super warships that will be able outfight 2-3 of theirs easily”. The Bismarck sank one capital ship in battle and then was hunted down and killed by a task force built around one of the oldest battleships in the RN, but at least it got a kill and also a glorious last battle where it died an honourable battleship death. The Yamato spent most of the war hiding, and when it finally sortied, the USN didn’t even give it the dignity of an honourable death, it launched more aircraft from its carriers to kill it than the IJN used against Pearl Harbour. It wasn’t a battle, it was a battlefield execution, and a fitting end to a warship named after ancient Japan and thought to carry the spirit of the land of the rising sun. These ships all suffer the same fate because they are vanity projects that look good in statistical comparisons but fail in the real world. China can sortie a Type 055, and if it loses it then it has 7 left (today) or 15 left (in 2035). They will do a “lessons learned”, work out what went wrong and then sortie another, and another. It understands, just as the USN does, that super ships don’t win wars and build empires, they die to empires. Numbers, doctrine, industrial capacity and experience builds empires. The Kirov’s will either spend their days in port and on international visits to fly the flag, maybe used in the only sensible way, to defend the Russian SSBN bastion up in the White/Barents Sea, or die, ingloriously, in the first week of a war, probably to some European SSK, before it even reaches blue water, and if it does it will die to a US SSN or airstrike before it does anything useful. The common denominator being that it dies. It’s too important to let live, the US knows this, they know that if both the Kirov’s die then the Russians lose the core of their Pacific and Atlantic Ocean surface combat groups. Just like the Bismarck and Yamato, the Kirov class is most useful when it’s alive and hiding, simply because it’s a major threat that needs to be taken into account and killed as a matter of urgency. Once it’s found, it’s overmatched and killed, then the threats gone, and so is the Russian navy.

[@谭某人-b1v]

Well said, the Soviet navy has fallen with the red giant. But who doesn't like a giant ship with big guns. We need a bigger 055!

[@grandgao3984]

Great analysis! No one and no piece of weapon shall enjoy a position for being irreplaceable or non-expendable in an all-out war.

[@chrisdoulou8149]

@@grandgao3984 Look, as an Australian who both respects the Chinese military modernisation but understands that militarily our nations are likely to be adversaries, if I was to put my Australian patriotic hat on I would say “of course, build a Super Type 055, make it 100k tonnes even. Spent 50% of your military budget on a class of 4, you’ll be unbeatable” The truth is it would be a terrible idea, the strategy of getting within 95% of the capability of your enemies warships and then building them at twice the rate is a far better one for actually winning a war. It’s why, as much as I love the 055, and consider it the most capable surface combatant in the world right now, I think the most important ship in the PLAN is the 052D. It’s close enough to a later series Arleigh Bourke that if the PLAN builds them at twice the rate, the 5% capability difference won’t matter. With the 055B, apart from any incremental upgrades, what the PLAN should be doing is looking at ways to simplify the manufacturing process so they can be produced at close to 052D levels, that’s what’s going to give the most advantage.

[@marshalljulie3676]

It doesn't operate alone and it has greater reach than Bismarck no western warships wants to fuck around to find out 🤷.

[@chrisdoulou8149]

@@marshalljulie3676 Tell me about its escort group then. What modern Aegis type warships escort it? Where are it’s Type 052D or Arleigh Bourke analogues? Even if it did, and it doesn’t, what’s the doctrine for using it against a modern navy in a way that is affective and is worth the risk of its deployment ? It’s a giant white elephant and Russia should stick to submarines and corvettes, they suit its doctrine, they make sense. The Kirov is a giant dick waving exercise that eats up a good chunk of the Russian naval budget

[@tomascernak6112]

I think it is not good to comparing brand new cruiser with older battlecruiser. Correct comparison would be Nakhimov (Kirov refit) vs Type 055. But that comparison would be unfair from another side, twice as big ship with four times more missiles is another leauge.

[@nepenthy9804]

10:33 I have never seen the interior of Kirov before, great pic

[@charlieshore-hollingworth7707]

Thats not the interior of the Kirov, thats the interior of the late Moskva Cruiser sank by Ukraine this year. The Kirov will have similar interior designs however.

[@Lcr34]

@@charlieshore-hollingworth7707 I suspect PLAN's 051C will have similar interior too using Rif-M.

[@EurasiaNaval]

The source said 'Russian cruiser', so it could be the Slava class too.

[@ctrlaltdebug]

12,000 tons is a cruiser. Also cruisers are capital ships, while destroyers are escorts for capital ships.

[@Strategy_Analysis]

I think a comparison between the Type 055 and Slava-class would have been more appropriate. The Kirov-class really doesn't have an equivalent.

[@aleksaradojicic8114]

I mean, if you consider that all three classes can be considered as modern iteration od cruiser, you can compere them, with that difference that Type 55 and Slava are "light" and Kirov is "heavy" cruiser.

[@EurasiaNaval]

Thanks SAC, and fair comment. There's a few ways to determine what would be a 'good' comparison, and in terms of roles I agree the Slava serves a more similar function as the Type 055. That being said, for starters, the Slava is less capable than the Kirov, and equally as old, so it would only widen the difference. My reasoning for this video is that both the Type 055 and the Kirov are widely recognised, even by non-enthusiasts in naval technology, as powerful and indeed magnificient warships. So, for someone just casually interested in warships, they may well be interested in seeing this comparison, even though it is not strictly the most interesting or valid to someone that understands the issues. Basically, this comparison I think can appeal to a broader audience (hopefully).

[@Strategy_Analysis]

@@EurasiaNaval The Kirov and Type 055 are certainly recognisable, and even though looks don't count I would call them both good-looking vessels. Perhaps the Kirov deserves a video all on its own. Anyway, as you say I'm certain it will appeal to a broad audience.

[@miguellines5907]

@@EurasiaNaval If Russian send its Kirov to be updated by the Chinese warship enterprise then it will become a new monster. The Chinese was very good on modification.

[@sleepya3129]

They exercise together, climb on the warship and play together, learn from each other and make progress with each other, which is very good

[@nepenthy9804]

I don't think peak soviets can mass produce Kirov, and that makes the difference/

[@charlieshore-hollingworth7707]

They can barley keep one afloat

[@ltrond]

11:30 "1130" is not a type, it is just a nick name from Internet. Its official name is H/PJ-11.

[@Phantom-bh5ru]

ah the kirov will be a true beast after its modernization. i always thought it lacked any real teeth with those old and obsolete missiles. sure they may sink a carrier if they hit but that prob would never happen.

[@bradgolding6847]

Fascinating comparison! We must remember, however, the Russian and Chinese Navies would likely be working together should a serious war break out.

[@zhanxu125]

The 055 is only a verification type warship for the latest generation of Chinese Navy warships, and there is an upgraded version of the 055 (X) in the future, which continues to innovate on the basis of the 055. The displacement of the versatile arsenal ship reaches 25000 tons

[@benbo4394]

Having a heavily arm and large ship on an open ocean against fast near undetectable adversary is like a heavily armored juggernaut against a ghillie sniper with an anti material rifle and the anti material rifle is the missile, it’ll f u up badly regardless of having a smaller explosive warhead if it can travel much faster.

[@jamesmandahl444]

The old girl is obsolete, but what a fine ship she was. With upgrades she will become formidable again and allow Russia to stretch her legs at sea. And she will have a ton of missiles of high quality whether it be the now venerable kalibr, or the surprisingly powerful sub killer called otvet, or the still impressive onix, or the crown jewel, the zircon. Her air defense capabilities might be lacking, though, as it sounds like the s300 will be kept though with updates. It sounds like this will be backed up with the naval s350 and tor and pantsir which is good. It is a shame though as I think longer range anti air capabilities and even ABM capabilities would be very important. One aspect not talked about is her anti submarine capabilities in the upgrades. I think the anti torpedo system will be equipped and she will still have her massively powerful older arrays upgraded which are still extremely potent. If they can get otvet to sing with the updated old gear it will be formidable. Honestly it isnt even a fair comparison. The Chinese 055 is just better as it is brand new with complete unification with the rest of the Chinese battlespace and all that entails. But I would not at all discount the upgraded kirovs. Not just beautiful but deadly. And as usual for Russians it will be late in construction and all the tests russian kit is required to go thru.

[@jamesmandahl444]

Btw the petty reddit tier mockery of soviet and russian kit saddens me. Russians are always either over or underrated. Seems to be their destiny, God bless em.

[@kennethferland5579]

I wonder will the Kirov class be the worlds last Battlecruiser? It's tough to even decide what defines a battlecruiser today. Is it just displacement? Is it the kitchen-sink aproatch to armaments? The pressense of real amor that's been abandoned on all other surface combatants?

[@EurasiaNaval]

I think it's worth keeping in mind the battlecruiser designation is a Western one - the Russians classify it as a nuclear heavy cruiser, and we should think about the role of the ship in these terms. The Kirov's function would bear little resemblance to a BC of old. The Western classification is based on the size and firepower of the ship, which is understandable, but is not quite in line with the definition of battlecruisers understood from the early twentieth century - a fast dreadnought with somewhat lighter armour and armaments, tasked with scouting, hunting down smaller cruisers and joining the battle line for main engagements. Cheers

[@Castragroup]

Hello can you include imperial as well thank you

[@bobbylow175]

Man, those old school Russian ships always look so badass.

[@LyuChen94]

I knew it .one day you will make this video

[@kaloyanradkov8962]

Compare if any of them were destroyed by a missle hit that led to fire on board.

[@赛博人会信仰虚拟神明]

其实挺讽刺的，由于苏联解体，中国买到了苏联解体之前生产的三套30N6E1“墓碑”相控阵雷达中的两套，还买到了配套的48N6。 这原本是苏联下一代驱逐舰的相控阵雷达和防空导弹，并且是准备给基洛夫级/光荣级升级使用。

[@РостиславЛатипов-ю3у]

干得好中国人不像我的俄罗斯同胞

[@avantan1980]

destroyer vs battlecruiser... cross class comparison?

[@tjoonatv2848]

The Type 055 is closer in displacement to cruisers, displacing more than the USS Ticonderoga types, with only the Zumwalt displacing more. Throw in the age discrepancies and it becomes fair, the same way people compare USS Iowa with the Kirov sometimes.

[@EurasiaNaval]

It is not the most academically valid comparison, considering the difference in roles, age, capability and size. But I believe there will be interest in this video from more casual audiences, who just like big ships. This is more of a 'pop culture' comparison, in a nutshell.

[@tgsgardenmaintenance4627]

Will be interesting to see what the weapons fit actually is on the Admiral Nakhimov when it comes out of refit! That said, the Type 055 is a very impressive vessel. China also appear to be able to build modern warships at an incredibly fast rate!

[@jonnnyren6245]

I'd go for the Type 055 cruiser instead. New, smaller by comparison and faster. The Kirovs are gigantic ships with WWII-era capital ship designs in mind but only modernized with missiles instead of guns. I hate to say it since I'm a huge fan of big dreadnoughts but that era has passed. The Kirov will be just like the General Belgrano if faced with smaller faster ships as enemies.

[@Praetorian157A]

But putting each side by side against the enemy will be so complementary of each other. While the Type55 protects and defends while the Kirov attacks. Of course this is after the Kirov has been refitted and modernized.

[@slorter10]

The Russian systems are all being upgraded to hypersonic platforms

[@Idcanymore510]

WTF was that commercial for Master class about!!? The CI fckn A!!!? The biggest ghouls on the planet.

[@KelliEagle71]

I'm from the USA, I chose the destroyer Kirov 👍 Russian Destroyer ships and Russian Cruise ships are very scary There is no destroyer ship and cruise ship other than Russia which is the best ✌️🇷🇺

[@Selena-plays-c4k]

Just emagine how fast chines build a destroyer 8 units build in 6years how durability the type 055.

[@monkeyking-self-proclaimed7050]

Kirov is huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge!

[@dravenvea2605]

055 is similar to that of USS in design, with few soviet characteristic. the counterpart is a gigantic soviet-style monster

[@你不认识我-f3x]

Find me a US destroyer which the 055 is similar to. In fact, the US is building their new destroyer the ddg-x based on China's standards. There's nothing similar in 055 and US warship designs, stop making things up

[@alphatrnmemes9462]

@@你不认识我-f3x Usa is copying China ? Stop saying anything m0r0n !

[@dravenvea2605]

@@你不认识我-f3x i know what you mean. the stealth design of the mast is inspired by zumwalt, the 4 direction asea radar array is inspired by arleigh-burke right?

[@你不认识我-f3x]

@@alphatrnmemes9462 look at the DDG-X and look at the 055 and you'll find that they're awfully similar in various of ways

[@mikea2363]

@@你不认识我-f3x Most modern destroyers are very similar designs derivated, as far as i can tell, from the burke in general arragement.

[@ericr7367]

Say what you will about the current Russian leadership, the Kirov IZ imho simply a BEAST of a warship.. IF the USA had a scintila of vision the Jersies would NoT b 'museums'. 🤔

[@mottscottison6943]

Kirov has no chance. Type 055 has better missiles, much better radar, and support from the Beidou satellites which better than even GPS.

[@Selena-plays-c4k]

Type 055 compare to kirov kirov is much durability than the chines type 55 chines type 55 is 1 year of build kirov is 5years of build.

[@darchojandreoski]

Von Staat China Armija U - Boote sind 3 Milliarden Jahre alt gewesen Jahr 1953 - 1960 dieses U - Boot war gerade in Schwarzes Meer wollte sich Staat Rumänien und Staat Griechenland Küsten ansehen

[@Absolut531kmh]

It's like Yamato class vs Missouri class

[@Thinkofwhat]

First…?

[@darchojandreoski]

Von Staat China Armija U - Boote sind 3 Milliarden Jahre alt gewesen Jahr 1953 - 1960 dieses U - Boot war gerade in Schwarzes Meer wollte sich Staat Rumänien und Staat Griechenland Küsten ansehen

[@darchojandreoski]

Von Staat China Armija U - Boote sind 3 Milliarden Jahre alt gewesen Jahr 1953 - 1960 dieses U - Boot war gerade in Schwarzes Meer wollte sich Staat Rumänien und Staat Griechenland Küsten ansehen