Does Russia Have Any Aircraft Carriers? The Reality of Admiral Kuznetsov
You must live under a rock! It's common knowledge that the Russians only have one active aircraft carrier, and that has to be towed around to make it look active. This question and similar ones are asked too often—it's time to set the record straight. If you're curious about Russia's naval capabilities, lets dive deeper into the details surrounding their sole carrier.
The Russian Aircraft Carrier: Adams Kuznetsov
As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, Russia has one active aircraft carrier named the Admiral Kuznetsov. This carrier was commissioned in 1990 and underwent renovations in recent years. It's important to note that the status and details of naval assets can change, so it's always wise to check the latest sources for the most up-to-date information on the Russian Navy.
The Long and Tricky Journey of Admiral Kuznetsov
The Ship's Origins and Troubles: The Admiral Kuznetsov is a Soviet-built aircraft carrier that was being constructed in the Nikolayev Shipyard outside of Odessa, Ukraine. When the Soviet Union collapsed, the ownership of the carrier was in dispute. This led to it being stolen by the Soviet government, a rather unfortunate twist for Ukraine.
A Legally Cursed Ship: If the ship can be called anything, it could be legitimately termed as cursed. The carrier has a history of severe maintenance issues and mechanical failures. She has been in refit since 2017 and was even found to have had the refit budget embezzled. she nearly sank twice while in drydock. The drydock itself sank. It also suffered from 2 to 3 major fires that could have potentially destroyed her engines—a likely blessing in disguise.
Operational Challenges and Failures
Slow Performance and Inadequate Air Group: The Admiral Kuznetsov is classed as a ski jump-launched aircraft carrier without an arresting wire system. This results in a slow cycle speed and a small air group. Due to the lack of proper maintenance and facilities, Russia has struggled to train and qualify carrier-based pilots, which made it notoriously difficult to operate the carrier efficiently and effectively.
Military Deployments: Of the six deployments conducted by the Admiral Kuznetsov, the carrier has returned damaged from five of them and had to be towed home from three. This stunning statistic speaks volumes about the operational reliability of the carrier.
Recent Developments
Improvements in Facilities: Russia has only recently completed a drydock in 2022 that is large enough to properly handle the Admiral Kuznetsov. Prior to this, the Russian Navy lacked the necessary facilities to service and maintain the carrier and the Kirov-class battlecruisers.
Funding and Future Prospects: Despite the numerous failures, Russia officially states that the carrier will return to the fleet "next year." However, this has been the stated plan since 2018, raising doubts about the feasibility and financial resources to continue this endeavor. The question remains open as to whether Russia has the money, resources, or strategic need to return the carrier to full operational status.
Conclusion
The Admiral Kuznetsov is a fascinating yet problematic piece of naval history. While it represents Russia's sole aircraft carrier, its operational challenges and troubled history paint a picture of an underperforming vessel. For those interested in understanding the complexities of Russia's naval capabilities, the story of Admiral Kuznetsov is a critical case study.