Latest news with #AdmiralKuznetsov
Economic Times
4 days ago
- General
- Economic Times
Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia's only aircraft carrier, set to be scrapped after years of setbacks
Getty Images Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia's only aircraft carrier Russia appears on the brink of officially retiring and scrapping its only aircraft carrier, the troubled Admiral Kuznetsov, marking a historic turning point for the Russian Navy. After years of costly, accident-ridden refits and modernization efforts, Russian officials are now openly discussing abandoning the decades-old warship, which has been plagued by mechanical failures, fires, and missed deadlines. The Admiral Kuznetsov , launched in 1990 and commissioned in 1995, has served as the flagship of the Russian Navy for nearly three decades. However, its operational history has been marred by chronic breakdowns and high-profile accidents. The carrier's inefficient Mazut-fueled engines produced thick black smoke, making it easily visible at sea and requiring frequent maintenance. Its endurance was limited to just 45 days, and it often needed tugboat escorts during deployments due to the risk of mechanical failure. Since July 2018, the Kuznetsov has been confined to dry dock for an ambitious overhaul that has been anything but smooth. The ship suffered a deadly fire in 2019, a crane collapse on its flight deck, and persistent delays due to technical problems and alleged embezzlement of original plan was to return the carrier to service by 2022, but the timeline slipped repeatedly, with the latest projections suggesting a possible return in 2025—a goal that now looks increasingly unlikely. According to Russian state media and sources cited by Izvestia (national newspaper of Russia), work on the Admiral Kuznetsov has been suspended, and high-level discussions are underway between the Russian Navy's High Command and the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) about whether to officially retire and scrap the vessel. The ship has not seen active service since 2017, and even if repairs were completed, many experts believe it would be hopelessly outdated compared to modern naval threats. Admiral Sergei Avakyants, former commander of the Pacific Fleet, publicly stated that retiring the Kuznetsov is 'absolutely the right move,' calling it 'a very expensive and ineffective naval weapon.' He argued that the future of naval warfare lies with robotic systems and unmanned aircraft, not traditional aircraft carriers. The scrapping of the Admiral Kuznetsov would leave Russia without an operational aircraft carrier for the first time since the Soviet era, effectively making it a 'no-carrier' navy. While some Russian analysts and officials argue for building a new, modern carrier—potentially equipped for drone operations—there is skepticism about whether Russia can afford such a project, especially given the ongoing war in Ukraine and competing military prioritie
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Russia's standing amongst global rivalries after its last aircraft carrier discontinues
In a historic and symbolic move, Russia is set to scrap its only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov , making it the only permanent member of the United Nations Security Council without an operational aircraft carrier. This decision marks a significant decline in Russia's naval aviation capabilities and reshapes the global balance of maritime power. Western adversaries: Commanding the seas The United States continues to dominate naval aviation with an impressive fleet of 11 nuclear-powered supercarriers, including the technologically advanced Ford-class equipped with electromagnetic catapults (EMALS), cutting-edge radar, and integrated drone operations. Complemented by nine amphibious assault ships capable of deploying stealth F-35B fighters, the U.S. Navy maintains unparalleled global reach and strike capability. NATO allies further strengthen this dominance. The United Kingdom fields two Queen Elizabeth-class carriers operating F-35B stealth jets, while France operates the nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle with Rafale M fighters and catapult launch systems. Italy and Spain also contribute with smaller carriers integrating advanced aircraft like the F-35B and Harrier jets. Collectively, NATO navies operate over 16 aircraft carriers, maintaining high interoperability and readiness through frequent joint exercises. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo Ammunition production: Russia surges ahead In 2024 and 2025, Russia's defense industry has shifted to a full "war economy," allowing it to produce about 3 million artillery shells per year, nearly three times the combined output of the United States and Europe. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and U.S. General Christopher Cavoli have both confirmed that Russia now manufactures in just three months what all NATO countries produce in a year. Russia's monthly output of artillery shells stands at around 250,000, while the U.S. currently produces about 40,000 shells per month and aims to reach 90,000 monthly by 2026. The European Union, meanwhile, is racing to catch up, with plans to reach 2.5 million shells annually by 2025. This explosive growth is backed by major investments in new facilities, such as a massive explosives plant in Siberia, which is expected to produce enough RDX to fill over a million 152 mm shells annually. Russia's production costs are also drastically lower, about 10 times less per shell than NATO equivalents, thanks to state subsidies and a managed economy. Live Events Defence budgets: Russia vs NATO This naval gap is mirrored in defense spending. NATO's combined military expenditure reached a staggering $1.5 trillion in 2024, with the United States alone accounting for nearly $997 billion, more than six times Russia's entire military budget. By comparison, Russia's military spending was estimated at $149 billion in 2024, even after a dramatic 38% increase over the previous year. NATO's new target of 5% of GDP for defense could push these numbers even higher by 2035, further widening the gap. In sheer numbers, NATO also outpaces Russia in active personnel, aircraft, and naval vessels by wide margins. While new aircraft carriers are not on the immediate agenda due to financial and industrial constraints, Russia is building large amphibious assault ships ( Project 23900 Ivan Rogov-class ). These vessels can carry helicopters, landing craft, armored vehicles, and troops, providing flexibility for littoral operations, disaster relief, and potentially even supporting short takeoff and landing aircraft in the future. Limited carrier presence among other partners Other Russian partners, including Iran and North Korea, lack aircraft carriers, relying instead on submarines and missile craft. Countries like Brazil, Egypt, and Thailand maintain single, older carriers primarily for regional defense and helicopter operations. The scrapping of the Admiral Kuznetsov highlights a growing technological and strategic divide. Western carriers boast stealth aircraft, EMALS, and integrated drone fleets, while China and India continue to develop but remain behind. Russia's exit from carrier aviation signals a shift in focus toward submarines, hypersonic missiles, and unmanned naval platforms, reducing its ability to project air power at sea.
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia's only aircraft carrier, set to be scrapped after years of setbacks
Russia appears on the brink of officially retiring and scrapping its only aircraft carrier, the troubled Admiral Kuznetsov , marking a historic turning point for the Russian Navy . After years of costly, accident-ridden refits and modernization efforts, Russian officials are now openly discussing abandoning the decades-old warship, which has been plagued by mechanical failures, fires, and missed deadlines. The Admiral Kuznetsov , launched in 1990 and commissioned in 1995, has served as the flagship of the Russian Navy for nearly three decades. However, its operational history has been marred by chronic breakdowns and high-profile accidents. The carrier's inefficient Mazut-fueled engines produced thick black smoke, making it easily visible at sea and requiring frequent maintenance. Its endurance was limited to just 45 days, and it often needed tugboat escorts during deployments due to the risk of mechanical failure. Since July 2018, the Kuznetsov has been confined to dry dock for an ambitious overhaul that has been anything but smooth. The ship suffered a deadly fire in 2019, a crane collapse on its flight deck, and persistent delays due to technical problems and alleged embezzlement of original plan was to return the carrier to service by 2022, but the timeline slipped repeatedly, with the latest projections suggesting a possible return in 2025—a goal that now looks increasingly unlikely. Suspension of repairs and scrapping talks According to Russian state media and sources cited by Izvestia (national newspaper of Russia), work on the Admiral Kuznetsov has been suspended, and high-level discussions are underway between the Russian Navy's High Command and the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) about whether to officially retire and scrap the vessel. The ship has not seen active service since 2017, and even if repairs were completed, many experts believe it would be hopelessly outdated compared to modern naval threats. Admiral Sergei Avakyants, former commander of the Pacific Fleet, publicly stated that retiring the Kuznetsov is 'absolutely the right move,' calling it 'a very expensive and ineffective naval weapon.' He argued that the future of naval warfare lies with robotic systems and unmanned aircraft, not traditional aircraft carriers. Live Events The scrapping of the Admiral Kuznetsov would leave Russia without an operational aircraft carrier for the first time since the Soviet era , effectively making it a 'no-carrier' navy. While some Russian analysts and officials argue for building a new, modern carrier—potentially equipped for drone operations—there is skepticism about whether Russia can afford such a project, especially given the ongoing war in Ukraine and competing military prioritie
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia May Finally Abandon Its Cursed Aircraft Carrier
A report in the pro-Kremlin media suggests that the troubled effort to return the Russian Navy's sole aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, to operational service will be terminated. Overhaul and modernization work on the Cold War-era flattop began almost eight years ago but has apparently been abandoned some time ago. As we have discussed in the past, the viability of putting the Kuznetsov back to sea has long been in doubt, and, with many competing priorities, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, the warship might now finally be destined for the scrapper's torch. According to the newspaper Izvestia, citing what it describes as 'informed sources,' the Russian Navy and the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) are poised to make a final decision on the fate of the Kuznetsov, with signs pointing to the likelihood that they will pull the plug on the modernization program. The plan to remove from service the country's only aircraft carrier is backed by senior Russian Navy figures. Adm. Sergei Avakyants, the former commander of Russia's Pacific Fleet, told Izvestia that the Russian Navy 'does not need aircraft carriers in their classic form in the long term.' Describing aircraft carriers as 'a thing of the past,' Avakyants said that they 'can be destroyed in a few minutes by modern weapons.' 'It is a very expensive and ineffective naval weapon,' Avakyants continued. 'The future belongs to carriers of robotic systems and unmanned aircraft. And if a decision is made not to continue the repairs, the only thing left to do is to take the Admiral Kuznetsov, cut it up for scrap metal, and dispose of it.' The mention of drone-carrying warships is notable in that it reflects growing trends among a variety of navies in Europe and elsewhere, but, so far, at least, there has been no indication that Russia plans to start work on vessels of this kind. As for the Kuznetsov, the warship has been in a downward spiral since its overhaul and modernization began in 2017. Soon after it arrived at the shipyard, there were indications that the scope of the work was being dramatically reduced, throwing the fate of the warship into question. During the overhaul process, the carrier has suffered multiple fires and a drydock sinking. By early 2021, analysis of photos of the carrier suggested that work on the vessel had more or less stopped in the previous 12 months. In February 2023, the Kuznetsov finally departed its drydock at the Sevmorput Naval Shipyard in Russia's northwestern Murmansk region, but only two months later came reports that the carrier's crew had been disbanded, providing another hurdle to getting the ship into any meaningful kind of service. The Admiral Kuznetsov left its dock at the 35th SRZ. — Rob Lee (@RALee85) February 21, 2023 As we pointed out at the time, re-forming the carrier's crew would be a challenge at any time, but is now very much compounded by wider military personnel shortages ongoing in the context of the war in Ukraine. Amid all these problems, the previously indicated timeline for getting the carrier back into Russia's combat fleet has slipped. The ship was originally meant to have finished its overhaul in 2021. Even before the overhaul began, the Kuznetsov had its fair share of mishaps. Most notably, there was an onboard fire off Turkey in 2009, which led to the deaths of several crew members. In 2016, two of its fighters were lost only days apart while supporting Moscow's military campaign in Syria. Russian Su-33 fighter jet chilling in the waters of Mediterranean Sea back in Sukhoi Su-33 (NATO reporting name Flanker-D) crashed after trying to land on Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov operating off the coast of pilot was saved. — Clash Report (@clashreport) October 2, 2023 Meanwhile, as Kuznetsov gets older, the utility of continuing overhaul work becomes increasingly questionable. The overhaul — which was to include upgrades to its powerplant and electronics equipment — had been intended to keep the carrier in service for possibly another decade or more, but the longer the process takes, the less economic sense this makes. In the meantime, funds could be better invested in more practical and sustainable efforts, something TWZ has pointed out in the past. Despite increasing calls to abandon work on the Kuznetsov sooner rather than later, it's worth noting that there are also official plans that could interfere with this. As noted in the Izvestia article, the Fundamentals of State Policy in the Sphere of Naval Activity until 2030 document states that the Northern and Pacific Fleets should each have an aircraft carrier. Regardless of funding, such ambitions are totally unrealistic. After all, even if the Kuznetsov could be returned to operational status with the Northern Fleet, there is no meaningful plan to construct another aircraft carrier before 2030. Earlier plans to start work on a new nuclear-powered carrier design have long since been put on ice. On a planning level, there may still be aspirations among proponents of Russian carrier aviation to reintroduce flattops in some form or other. However, even their most loyal supporters realize that, as long as the war in Ukraine continues, there is very little chance of such programs getting funding. 'I think that in the ship construction program for the period up to 2050, which was recently reviewed by the Marine Collegium under the president, the issue of creating aircraft carriers is somehow present,' retired Rear Adm. Mikhail Chekmasov told Izvestia. 'The question is different — it's about funding, given that the Special Military Operation is currently underway.' For the time being, the only operational activity relating to Russian carrier aviation is the country's air wing, which is spearheaded by Su-33 and MiG-29KR fighters. These aircraft continue to be operated from land bases, but it's now been many years since aircrews actually got a chance to fly from the carrier. Having pilots re-qualify for carrier operations would be possible, but the Su-33s, in particular, are also showing their age, with no replacement in sight. F-35 from Evenes Airbase scrambled yesterday when 2 Bomber Aircraft TU-95 Bear H escorted by 2 Flanker-D jets flew close to #NATO Airspace in the High NorthRead more: — NATO Air Command (@NATO_AIRCOM) February 5, 2025 In terms of warship construction, Russia is still working on the first of its Project 23900 big-deck amphibious assault ships, also known as the Ivan Rogov class, at a shipyard on the occupied Crimean Peninsula, as you can read about here. Should the Kuznetsov ultimately be scrapped, the addition of two new big-deck amphibious assault ships would give the Russian Navy an important capability boost, as TWZ has previously discussed: 'Ultimately, an amphibious assault ship is potentially much more flexible, even without conventional fixed-wing airpower. The Project 23900 is expected to be able to embark six landing craft to transport around 75 armored vehicles, 900 troops, and support equipment to a beachhead during an amphibious operation, but the vessels would also be suitable for floating hospitals or as flagships for littoral operations. With some modifications or with a tailored air group onboard, these warships could also take on anti-submarine or mine warfare roles. In addition, time and again, amphibious vessels of this kind have also shown their worth in non-combat scenarios, including disaster relief and humanitarian assistance missions.' The continued development of aircraft carriers in countries such as China and India underscores the fact that navies still see a place for flattops carrying conventional fixed-wing aircraft. These warships can still be arbiters of naval power in an operational context, as well as key points of national prestige. At this point, however, the future of Russia's sole aircraft carrier looks to be more uncertain than ever, with the arguments for continuing the effort to get it back into service becoming increasingly flimsy. Contact the author: thomas@
The Sun
6 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Putin's ONLY rustbucket aircraft carrier that limped through Channel in pathetic show of force ‘to finally be scrapped'
VLADIMIR Putin's only rustbucket aircraft carrier that struggled through the Channel is poised to be scrapped after seven years of failed repairs. Work on the hulking Admiral Kuznetsov has been suspended with reports suggesting the vessel is doomed for the scrapheap. 7 7 7 7 Putin's 'Ship of Shame' has played no role in the war against Ukraine and has instead been languishing in the grim Arctic port of Murmansk, in northwestern Russia. It's believed the rust bucket - Putin's only aircraft carrier - will never set sail again, as 1,500 crew members were quietly sent to fight in the war instead. Former Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Sergey Avakyants applauded the decision to cease repairs, calling the vessel an "expensive" and "inefficient" naval weapon. He said today: 'The aircraft carrier is already a fading era. 'It is a very expensive and inefficient naval weapon. 'The future belongs to carriers of robotic complexes and unmanned aviation. 'If the decision is made not to continue repairs the Admiral Kuznetsov should just be taken, cut up for scrap, and disposed of." The ship was inherited by the Kremlin from the USSR and has a history of malfunctions, said Russian media. According to the report, it underwent repairs in 2018 after a trip to Syria and its future has remained "unclear" ever since. Reports said: 'Misfortunes continue to haunt the heavy aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, the only aircraft carrier in the Russian fleet that the Kremlin inherited from the USSR. Second huge cargo ship is attacked and SUNK by Houthi rebels in deadly Red Sea raid 'Having been put under repair in 2018 after a voyage to the shores of Syria, Admiral Kuznetsov was never able to return to service on time, and its future remains unclear.' The decrepit battleship, that has been described as the pride and joy of the Russian Northern fleet, set sail on its maiden voyage 40 years ago and has been involved in naval convoys passing the British coast. It used to carry up to 28 planes (Su-33 and MiG-29) and 17 helicopters (Ka-52K and Ka-27), and was armed with P-700 Granit missiles. But in 2019 and 2022, the vessel was struck by two separate fires whilst undergoing works - causing millions of pounds worth of damage. When the Admiral Kuznetsov came to the English Channel The Admiral Kuznetsov "sulked" past the UK on its way back to Russia from Syria in 2017. UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon dubbed the carrier a "ship of shame" as the vessel and its task group was escorted by a Royal Navy frigate and jets. Britain sent HMS St Albans and Typhoon fighters to monitor the ship and "provide reassurance" to countries bordering the North Sea and English Channel. Fallon said: "We are man-marking these vessels every step of the way around the UK as part of our steadfast commitment to keep Britain safe." Cmdr Chris Ansell, in command of HMS St Albans, said: 'This tasking demonstrates the Royal Navy's commitment to protecting our home waters and readiness to undertake short notice operations. 'The movements of the Russian ships are being continually monitored in a co-ordinated response between the Royal Navy, RAF and our NATO partners. "As an island nation, the security of the seas around our coastline is vital and this sort of task is routine business for HMS St Albans and the Royal Navy, which stands ready at all times. The ship measures the length of three football pitches and weighs a staggering the 58,000-tonnes. Last year, crew members Ivan Akenchenkov, 51, and Sergey Ovsienko, 30, and Oleg Sosedov, 21, who served on the aircraft carrier, were reported missing during a Russian attack in Kharkiv. Oleg is now reported to have died during an attack in Kharkiv on July 23. His mother Natasha Simbirtseva has been told by fellow servicemen that he had been killed. She said: 'He has not been in touch since July 21. 'He was seen alive on July 23, and has not been seen since. 'But there is a fellow soldier who confirmed that the two [dead] are my son Oleg Sosedov and Dmitry Teplukhin [another seaman].' The desperate mother said: 'No official information has come. 'The commanders are not calling and are not reporting any information.' She slammed the 'complete inaction' of top brass in failing to search for missing men on they battlefield and repatriate the corpses of fallen fighters. 'It's ****ed up that fighters are being sent from our only aircraft carrier to storm a village in the Kharkiv region,' she raged. 7 7 7
