The ambitious features of Russia’s projected Lider Class nuclear-powered destroyers and Russia’s economic capacity to produce them have created debate. Critics of the suggested nuclear propulsion system for a warship the size of a destroyer have claimed it to be superfluous and maybe harmful. Skepticism over the project’s viability has resulted from its expected cost and Russia’s capacity to produce sophisticated components under international sanctions. Naval specialists wonder if the purported stealth characteristics and weapon capabilities of the design are practical considering present technology restrictions.
