₦airaland Forum

Russia is considering scrapping its only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, which has been undergoing repairs since 2018, the pro-Kremlin daily Izvestia reported, citing a source familiar with the matter.

Repair and modernization efforts on the vessel have been suspended and a decision regarding the carrier’s future is expected soon, the paper reported Friday.

Representatives of the Navy High Command and the United Shipbuilding Corporation, responsible for the repairs, are currently discussing the feasibility of returning the ship to active duty, the source said.

Sergei Avakyants, a former commander of the Russian Pacific Fleet, backed discontinuing the repairs, calling it “absolutely the right move.”

“The Kuznetsov is from a different era…This is a very expensive and ineffective naval weapon. The future lies with robotic systems and unmanned aircraft,” Avakyants said.

Despite Avakyants’ view, many current naval strategy documents still call for aircraft carrier groups in both the Northern and Pacific Fleets, noted retired rear admiral Mikhail Chekmasov.


“The main obstacle lies in financing, particularly in light of the ongoing special military operation in Ukraine. Victory there is the immediate priority, after which future shipbuilding plans may become clearer,” Chekmasov said.

Military expert Vasily Dandykin contended that “despite advancements in unmanned systems, the need for air support during long-range deployments remains.”

Dandykin noted that countries such as India and China continue to expand their carrier fleets, which suggests that such vessels continue to play a role in naval strategy.

Ilya Kramnik, a researcher from the Center for Strategic Planning Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of World Economy and International Relations, holds a similar perspective.

Kramnik said the Russian navy requires a floating airfield, making aircraft carriers essential. However, he acknowledged that the Admiral Kuznetsov, launched in 1985 and commissioned in 1991, is now significantly outdated.

“With the experience gained from operating the vessel, Russia can construct a new ship of similar size,” Kramnik added.

The Admiral Kuznetsov is designed to engage major surface targets, provide protection to naval groups against enemy attacks and support amphibious operations.

It entered its current overhaul after returning from a mission in the Mediterranean, where it conducted airstrikes on Syria.

The initial reconstruction cost was estimated at 20 billion rubles ($257 million).

A December 2019 fire aboard the ship resulted in two fatalities and 14 injuries, further delaying reconstruction.

The vessel was originally scheduled to rejoin the fleet in 2022, but that deadline has been repeatedly postponed.

Bluntguy:
USA na your mate? Being repaired for eight years and still nothing.

365Survival:
This you call scrap is what some countries will buy and be making noise.

PotatoSalad:
The future lies with robotic systems and unmanned aircraft
Most powerful no be by size.

Bluntguy:
USA na your mate? Being repaired for eight years and still nothing.

Bluntguy:
USA na your mate? Being repaired for eight years and still nothing.

owobokiri:
China actually bought a scrap of this nature from the Soviet era, and shipped the whole thing back home, where they reengineered it, refurbished it and relaunched it as their first aircraft carrier few years ago.

Now based on the knowledge the Chinese gathered from that scrap carrier, they have built new aircraft carriers to add to their burgeoning fleet.

So it is not really bad to buy stuffs like this. It all depends on what you intend to do with them. If the Iranians are not under serious economic sanctions, I wouldn't be surprised if they go for this one.

cule7:
Unless you want to be aggressively imperialistic, I don't see the need for an aircraft carrier. Moreover, powerful nations won't need an aircraft carrier in the event of a war in the future.

owobokiri:
China actually bought a scrap of this nature from the Soviet era, and shipped the whole thing back home, where they reengineered it, refurbished it and relaunched it as their first aircraft carrier few years ago.

Now based on the knowledge the Chinese gathered from that scrap carrier, they have built new aircraft carriers to add to their burgeoning fleet.

So it is not really bad to buy stuffs like this. It all depends on what you intend to do with them. If the Iranians are not under serious economic sanctions, I wouldn't be surprised if they go for this one.

Whobedatte:
China ----- 2 aircraft carriers
Russia ----- 1
India --- 1
USA ---------11 aircraft carriers with the USS Gerard Ford the most sophisticated ever built in human history.
The US is 10 years ahead of its competitors

blingxx:
The USA invest tax payers money in their military while china focus on global economy, guesd which one matters the most ?

brain54:
Some African countries won't mind buying it...


They can buy it as scrap metal. Re-paint and claim to have spent billions to acquire it. A certain former minister and an airline scam comes to mind.

I didn't mention any names o!

blingxx:
The USA invest tax payers money in their military while china focus on global economy, guesd which one matters the most ?

Jhoneyman:
You mentioned name , and the name is Hadi Sirika ,a strong member if the ADC collusion. LOLS

brain54:
I don't think this is exactly correct...

China did purchase an aircraft carrier from Ukraine which the country (Ukraine) inherited from the collapse of the Soviet era.

But it wasn't scrap but was incomplete as it was in the process of being built before the collapse of the Soviet.

The chinkos completed building the carrier. It's actually China's first aircraft carrier called the liaoning.

I don't think any country would intentionally sell technology it doesn't want out in the open to be reversed engineered.

That's why the US will never sell certain military aircrafts no matter how much you offer them because they don't want the technology reverse enginered!

Whobedatte:
China has just two aircraft carriers.
Leave matter for Matthias.

brain54:
Some African countries won't mind buying it...


They can buy it as scrap metal. Re-paint and claim to have spent billions to acquire it. A certain former minister and an airline scam comes to mind.

I didn't mention any names o!

PotatoSalad:
The future lies with robotic systems and unmanned aircraft
Most powerful no be by size.

PotatoSalad:
The future lies with robotic systems and unmanned aircraft
Most powerful no be by size.

bro4u:
Under Buhari, did buhari sack him? Did he punish him - No,,, yet they say Buhari will rest in peace. Rip fire