So, back to my original question: Modernized Kashtan, beefed up Palma or altogether new system?

New system. Which shares some elements with Palma and Pantsyr.

Exactly. This is just a showpiece. A compilation of Kortik-M and Pantsyr-S1. The exhibition model was made from Palitsa model, by deleting bottom missile quadpacks. The end product will have lower base and the missile control radar will also be positioned lower.

http://www.lenta.ru/news/2011/06/22/compens/

Latvia will seek compensation from NATO if Mistrals are based in Baltics.

/facepalm.

NATO should donate them couple of german 206 submarines, USN v-adm was complaining recently that their defence budget is too low. And their whole budget will go to the drains.

Project 11661 corvette

Cat tubes on deck?

There are two additional factors which were leading to quite disastrous performance of boilers on 1143 aviation cruisers compared to other steam-plant ships of Soviet Navy.
First, 1143s were underpowered for their size and enrgy requirements. This was leading on necessity to operate boilers closer to the maximum output most of the time, which calls for high qualification of BCh-5 operators.
Second, there was insufficient infrastructure for 1143s at Soviet naval bases, they didn’t and still doesn’t have dedicated piers for mooring these ships, causing them to stay on anchor off-shore and constantly using the resource of their powerplant for producing electricity and heating.

Have you seen the figures how much of the previous plan was actually built?:cool: Let’s have a look just at Borei. The three currently in building/working up are produced with significant input of Soviet-time left overs. They have not laid down the fourth unit yet. And you seriosuly consider they will have eight in next eight years? Come oooon..