Russia to build 12 nuclear-powered Leader destroyers

The Navy of Russia intends to order 12 advanced Leader destroyers. A half of them will be designed for the Northern Fleet, and another half - for the Pacific Fleet, officials with the Defense Ministry of Russia said. The lead ship will join the Russian Navy not earlier than in 2023-2025.

"Six of these ships are to be built for the Northern Fleet and six more - for the Pacific," an unnamed source said. The Leader will be presented in two versions - with a nuclear and gas turbine power generating units.

For the time being, the Leader is not included on the state armaments program before 2020. Its construction will be carried out under the shipbuilding program that runs through 2050. The works on the project are to start next year.