He Admiral Kuznetsov It is the only aircraft carrier of the Russian Navy and presents multiple challenges after a declining history.
Heritage and challenges of the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier
The only aircraft carrier in the Russian Navyhe Admiral Kuznetsovinherited from the Soviet Red Navy, is a clear example of the challenges that Moscow faces when it comes to aircraft carriers. Despite its outdated technology and frequent mechanical problems, the Kuznetsov It remains in service primarily for training purposes and for its significant cruise missile capability.
The role of Kuznetsov It allows Russia maintain a rudimentary aircraft carrier capability. Moscow plans to build a modern, indigenous aircraft carrier to compete with US aircraft carriers, underscoring its commitment to developing carrier-based naval operations despite historical setbacks.
The Russian Navy inherited much of its warships, equipment and doctrines from the Soviet Red Navy that preceded it. The old Soviet navy was, in its heyday, a true competitor to the United States Navy, especially in the Mediterranean Sea, where the Americans and Soviets played a continuous game of cat and mouse. However, the Soviets did not prioritize aircraft carriers as the Americans did, viewing them more as defensive systems.
The development and limitations of the Kuznetsov
In the 1980s, the Nikolaev shipyard in Ukraine was contracted by the Soviet government to build an aircraft carrier that could copy the fixed-wing launching capabilities of American aircraft carriers. Inevitably, the Admiral Kuznetsov It was launched in 1985. But the aircraft carrier was never exactly what its designers expected. And the USSR was falling apart precisely at the moment when the Kuznetsov He was finding his way in the sea.
Clearly, the only Soviet aircraft carrier was a prototype designed to train its forces on an aircraft carrier. The training that this limited and rudimentary aircraft carrier provided to the Soviet Navy it would have been incorporated into what Moscow had hoped would be a growing Soviet aircraft carrier capability. However, the collapse of the Soviet Union effectively ended Moscow’s first attempts to operate aircraft carriers.
He Admiral Kuznetsov It is not classified by the Russian military today as a real aircraft carrier. Both the Russian military and the NATO have encoded Admiral Kuznetsov as a “heavy aircraft carrier cruiser”. In addition to a limited number of fixed-wing aircraft, the Kuznetsov It also has helicopters and, most importantly, is armed with powerful long-range cruise missiles.
Technical issues and limited deployments
The only Russian aircraft carrier has never been a real challenge for the United States Navy. Furthermore, the Russian aircraft carrier has been plagued with technical problems since its first sea trials. Built when the Soviet Union was falling apart, corners were cut, and the ship was built cheaply, meaning it lacks the features or effectiveness that most American aircraft carriers possess.
It has been deployed about six times in the last 33 years. And, for the past six years, it has been in the shipyards undergoing serious repairs. Moscow hopes to deploy the aging and deteriorating warship later this year. Given its almost continuous deterioration and the fact that the Russian Navy has never been geared toward building a traditional aircraft carrier, the question on many experts’ minds is: why do the Russians keep this junk around?
The answer lies in capabilities. Like the first aircraft carrier Chinahe Liaoningthe relatively unsophisticated nature of the old Kuznetsov allows the Russian Navy train on how to conduct real-world carrier-based operations.
Kuznetsov cruise missile operations and capabilities
Although he Kuznetsov Known to be a rusty relic, the aircraft carrier has conducted wartime operations. During his war against ISIS in Syriathe air wing of the Kuznetsov launched 400 missions, of which 100 were executed from the Kuznetsov. Also, let’s not forget the massive cruise missile capability of the Kuznetsovmaking it a valuable member of the Russian fleet.
Especially after the flagship of the Russian Baltic Seahe Moscowwas sunk by Ukrainian forces with the help of American intelligence during the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Russia desperately wants to maintain its maritime cruise missile launching capability.
Recently, Moscow announced that it intended to begin construction of a new domestically built aircraft carrier that would be more modern and better compete with American aircraft carriers. Whether the Russians can achieve this goal is another question entirely, given the cost, complexity and time involved in building such behemoths. However, the Russians have identified maintaining at least a rudimentary aircraft carrier capability as being in the national interest.
The Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, although older, has significant long-range cruise missile capability and can operate fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Despite its frequent mechanical problems, it remains useful for training and limited military missions.
The Admiral Kuznetsov faces significant challenges, including outdated technology, frequent mechanical problems, and a history of cheap construction that limit its effectiveness compared to more modern aircraft carriers.
Russia maintains Admiral Kuznetsov operational primarily for training in carrier-based operations and for its cruise missile capability, despite its technical limitations and deteriorated condition.
During the war against ISIS in Syria, Admiral Kuznetsov launched 400 missions, of which 100 were executed from the aircraft carrier itself, demonstrating its operational capacity in real conflicts despite its limitations.
Russia plans to build a modern, domestically-built aircraft carrier to compete with the Americans, underscoring its commitment to developing carrier-based naval operations despite historical challenges.
