The proposed Lider is described as a 19,000-ton nuclear-powered destroyer. Russia's existing nuclear-ship construction makes nuclear propulsion an unconvincing explanation by itself for the project's failure to proceed. Gas turbines caused delays after Russia went to war with its Ukrainian supplier. During discussion of Lider in 2015-16, continued turbine problems raised the possibility that Russia might proceed with a nuclear-powered ship instead. Accepting nuclear propulsion also made a large design seem a plausible choice. This was a conditional expectation about how the programme might develop.
Notable Point · 6:35-7:53
Why turbine shortages made a nuclear Lider plausible
Turbine supply problems once made a large nuclear-powered ship seem a plausible way forward, drawing on construction experience Russia already retained.