Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Chapter · 46:09-52:32

Kiev task groups reveal the next destroyer gap

Kiev's air-defense role and Soviet bastion exercises expose the endurance and combat-capacity limits of Kashin-era escorts, leading to a larger destroyer generation.

Anti-Submarine WarfareCarrier GroupsCold WarKashin Class DestroyersKiev Class Aircraft CarriersNaval AviationNaval StrategySergey GorshkovShipbuildingSoviet Naval BastionsSoviet NavySovremenny Class Destroyers
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Notes

The gap between the last Kashin and first Sovremenny coincides with the Soviet Navy's transition to Kiev-centered task groups. Exercises quickly show that older destroyers lack the endurance and capacity needed for late-1970s and 1980s warfare. Those ships have nevertheless brought weapons to sea, supported exercises, and kept shipyards working when few other vessels could be built. By the time Kiev enters service, Gorshkov has been commander-in-chief for nearly twenty years and can press for a more capable escort force. Fighting beyond the bastion's edge requires a task group able to keep the enemy out of the protected water. Sovremenny follows as the larger destroyer intended to meet that requirement.