Dispersed Soviet task groups needed numerous command platforms, but that requirement does not uniquely explain the Slava class. Kara and Cresta cruisers already carried command facilities, and the Soviet fleet built many cruisers partly for that purpose. Slava sat between the prestige Kirovs and carriers on one side and mass-produced Udaloy and Sovremenny combatants on the other. The insurance design continued after its original contingency had become less necessary, while Soviet political concerns made admitting that an ambitious program had failed especially difficult.
Chapter · 18:53-22:18
Command facilities did not give Slava a unique fleet role
Soviet task groups needed command ships, but Kara- and Cresta-class cruisers already supplied those facilities, leaving Slava as additional insurance rather than the answer to an unmet requirement.