Kanin shows how Gorshkov maneuvered force structure through refits rather than treating the original armament as permanent. The ships begin with twelve anti-ship missiles, but their hulls cannot accept the largest later weapons. Refits substitute a roughly 15-kilometer surface-to-air system and strengthen torpedo and ASW capability. That range is modest by later standards and need not amount to area air defense, but it remains useful on a hull of this size. Longer-ranged missiles would demand a larger ship. The conversion preserves operational value while reinforcing the Soviet pattern of destroyers providing air defense and ASW.
Chapter · 27:17-30:02
Kanin conversions follow weapons as they change
Project 57A Kanin ships begin with a heavy anti-ship battery and later trade that emphasis for air defense and ASW as Soviet missiles outgrow the hull.