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Russian Navy to be decked out with flattops
Published: 02 November, 2011, 14:11
The Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier (RIA Novosti / Alexey Danichev)
TAGS: Arms, Military, Russia, Politics, Modernization
The Russian Navy has reportedly agreed to build a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to expand the country’s influence in the world’s oceans. The decision though is yet to be approved by the president.
Currently, Russia has only aircraft cruiser, Admiral Kuznetsov, which was launched back in 1985.
For years it was debated as to whether the country needs more flattops or if having atomic subs and cruisers would be enough to face modern challenges.
Finally, Russian admirals selected the so-called American model of the fleet: ship groups with an aircraft carrier in the center, writes Izvestia daily. The marine officers believe that such grouping is a lot more efficient and would also help to expand the Russian fleet’s area of influence in the Pacific Ocean and the North Atlantic.
“An appearance of a large aircraft carrier group in a [conflict zone]…would distract a potential enemy’s attention from the Russian territory. In addition, any aircraft carrier would help to expand the Russian fighter jets’ range,” a representative of the Russian Navy Main Headquarters told the paper.
Currently the navy is finalizing the technical requirements for the new vessel. It has already been decided that the ship should be nuclear-powered since a diesel engine would require a cast amount of fuel. The blueprint of Russia’s next-generation aircraft carrier is expected to be ready by 2017. It is planned that a first flattop will be launched in 2023.
By that time the navy should complete forming carrier battle groups, which will be comprised of about 15 vessels each, including cruisers, destroyers, multi-purpose subs, frigates, corvettes, landing craft and other ships such as icebreakers for the Arctic zone.
It is expected that by 2027 Russia will have two carrier battle groups – in the Pacific and Northern fleets.
02.11.2011, 13:17
1 comment
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Right now there is no urgent need for extra fixed wing carriers.
The Mistrals will require a lot of extra funds for infrastructure in the Pacific and Northern Fleets, plus a lot of support vessels need to be made.
By 2030 when they will have perhaps 3 fixed wing carriers (including the Kuznetsov) they will also likely have production capacity to make the larger ships they will need to support and operate those, and more importantly they will have the funds to spend money on Tartus in Syria and Cahm Rahn Bay in Vietnam and for perhaps further bases in Cuba and Venezuela and other places so they can start actually using the global reach that real carriers give you.
As Russia expands, its navy needs to expand too... and I don't mean a sinister force for invasion and occupation, but as something the Russian government can actually do to back up their words on global issues.
The fact is that no country became a world power and then developed a big navy... countries developed powerful navies and that made them world powers because their influence became global.
I think it would benefit Russia economically and politically to have a global reach to influence things the same way the British have been doing for centuries and the US has been doing for the last half century.
Russia might not have a dogma to spread, but it offers an alternative to the west and I think that has value.
After 20 years of no domestic orders... even just for upgrades or refits and maintainence, it is rather little surprise that Russian shipyards are having problems. New tools, new methods of building, new technology. They are starting with small vessels and getting larger and there are some teething problems with some new systems like the Redut SAM system for example which is pretty new. The Russian government is investing in new equipment and new shipyards and I rather suspect there is a shortage of skilled labour because there has been so little real work, most are probably now taxi drivers in Moscow. Bring them back to work and they find all the tools have changed and the method of fabrication is completely different.
They can practise on the small ships... it seems the standardisation program for the navy will improve things dramatically... what they need now is large orders and time and they seem to be getting solid orders now.
The normal life cycle of any large vessel is training, operational, refit/upgrade.
Each of these three steps can last 6 months or more... especially in the case of a major refit.
This means that one carrier in the Northern Fleet and one in the Pacific Fleet will be available perhaps two years in 3.
It makes rather more sense to have 2-3 carriers at each base... the Baltic and Black Sea are ponds and have no need for carriers... land based aircraft are sufficient and large carriers would be sitting ducks. Even the Mistrals would be too large for the Baltic or Black Sea fleets.
Having 3 carriers at the Northern and Pacific fleet bases means one carrier will be guaranteed available and with proper scheduling there should only ever be one vessel in dock for refit so in an emergency two carriers will be available in each fleet with the carrier on training taken out of training.
The carriers the Russian Navy needs are not 100,000 ton Nimitz types... carriers the size of the Kuznetsov or slightly smaller would be fine with a serious upgrade of propulsion and electronics and of course the removal of the large anti ship missiles. With a deck full of navalised PAK FAs they will be quite formidible vessels that will greatly expand the reach and vision of Russian naval vessels.
Without air power a blip on the screen 400km away could be anything... with air power you can launch aircraft to go and see what it is to make a more informed decision on what to do. More importantly with carrier based AWACS you see threats much earlier... which is vital in the event of an attack... a Navy without a carrier is like an Army... without air cover... air power greatly improves the performance and survival of Armies on land and Navies at sea... they add a layer of vision and reach that makes decisions easier. Needless to say that without any carriers the UK could never have taken back the Falklands. With fixed wing carriers instead of VSTOLs they would have lost a lot fewer ships in the process too.
Vessels like the Kirov will be needed to support the carriers... there is no rush, but carriers are needed. Russia should plan to have 6 fixed wing carriers by perhaps 2050 or so... and by that time it might be a UCAV carrier vessel.
Russia should purchase 2 Queen Elizabeth class carriers from England. To pair them with their 2 new assult ships... After all they already on the phase of production. With the debt so high in the countries they may be inclined to give full techonologies transfers. I ll even sweeten the deal by purchasing some Challengers. With two fully installed training centers with all softwear etc support. All this could be in place by 2018 instead of 2030.. I even go buying Germany Tanks and subs. There after russia could output 2 of exch yearly with 2 of each overhauled and fully updated. I know.. Snile as I'm NOT Russia's prime minister. Enjoy good Vodka.