The Naval Institute Guide to the Soviet Navy [Hardcover]

Norman Polmar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1991

This reference work provides accurate, up-to-date data on ship and aircraft specifications, performance, weapons and electronics, and analysis of current changes and trends in Soviet naval strategy, leadership, operations, and training. Considering the drastic changes in the Soviet naval forces in the midst of perestroika, this fifth edition is the most comprehensive review and analysis available of the modern Soviet fleet - its ships, aircraft, weapons, electronics, bases, shipyards, personnel, and leadership - and provides coverage of the fleet reductions made since 1988. It contains technical data on every combat and support ship of the Soviets including specialized merchant ships that support military activities. Award-winning author and military analyst, Norman Polmar, discusses the navy's force reductions in detail and shows that although the Soviet Navy has diminished in size, its capabilities in virtually all combat areas - antisurface, antisubmarine and antiair warfare, plus theatre tactical nuclear weapons, chemical operations, mine warfare, and intelligence collection - have actually been improved. Essays on the Soviet Navy's missions, tactics operations, exercises, training, and fleet development explore the true impact of fleet reductions and policy adjustments not only on Soviet naval forces, but also on Warsaw Pact co-ordination. Among the subjects covered are the impact of the disappearance by 1989 of the remaining Sverdlovclass cruisers and the scrapping of 30 submarines. Descriptions of the two new 65,000-ton Thilisi-class aircraft carriers and the Ul'yanovsk, a 75,000-ton full-deck carrier, are provided, as are the improvements in Soviet submarines, reported to have "closed the gap" between Soviet and US undersea capabilities. Appendices include the Soviet navy's order of battle since 1945, naval leaders, and naval ship transfers to nations throughout the world. The author has also written "Submarines of the Russian and Soviet Navies" and "The Ships and Aircrafts of the US Fleet".

Product Details

• Hardcover: 492 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press; 5 Sub edition (October 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870212419
• ISBN-13: 978-0870212413
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,371,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good supplement, even today, January 8, 2007

By 

Kazuaki Shimazaki - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Naval Institute Guide to the Soviet Navy (Hardcover)

The Soviets had passed into history the same year the book was published, and 15 years had passed since. In that time, much more data had come about from the Russians, the Internet flourished, and many previously held views had changed.

But the book still isn't obsolete in its own way. The Internet (and even most books) are biased towards the flashy. Subs, lots of coverage, even though old ones. Carriers ... good coverage as well. Cruisers, destroyers, frigates, quite a bit there too. But in the process, the mundane stuff - from auxiliaries to organization are left in the mud.

I've had the personal grief of trying to find out the Russian "BCh" (departments), the Russian warship ranking scheme and the jobs of the ranks. And this is where this book can fill in.

Even with the more commonly known equipment, one can compare the estimates made then to the estimates made now. It is quite interesting to see what had been accurately predicted, and what wasn't.

The book is recommended for at least anybody that wishes to probe deeper into the Russian Navy than what common Internet fare provides. If all you care about are pretty ships, well, think about it anyway - lots of good pictures (B/W unfortunately) are in this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Norman Polmar is the expert on Soviet and world naval equipment and technology, December 6, 2005

By 

A. G. Corwin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Naval Institute Guide to the Soviet Navy (Hardcover)

Though the Soviet Navy has passed into the annals of history, those that remember the days of the cold war with fascination or students of naval history would be well suited to add this volume to their library. Polmar presents a richly detailed guide to the ships and submarines of the Soviet Navy as of 1991, their weapon and electronic systems, the personnel and administrative structures, and the the vast fleet of auxiliaries and smaller vessels. The photos are numerous, the writing detailed, and the background history fascinating.

Though this book can be still be ordered new, you would be well suited to buy this through Amazon used. I bought my copy for $6 and considering the cost when it was first published, I consider it an unbelievable bargain.