The Russian Navy’s Admiral Kuznetsov, the sole aircraft carrier in its fleet, is mired in a quagmire of operational setbacks, repair delays, and technological hindrances. This troubling trajectory is compounded by the lack of a ready crew and the outdated and environmentally unfriendly fuel it uses – Mazut. Despite its checkered history, Moscow persists with the Kuznetsov, aiming to avoid gaps in naval capabilities.
Commissioned in 1990, the Kuznetsov has faced a series of unfortunate events. Initially set for a 2021 return, the carrier experienced deadly mishaps, including a fire in 2019 due to a welding accident causing fatalities and injuries, and a crane crash in 2018 that also resulted in a fatality. Allegations of embezzlement in 2021 related to the shipyard added to the troubles. The recent blaze in December 2022 has further worsened the carrier’s situation.
Experts question if the carrier will ever sail again due to its precarious condition. Its STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) launch system, unlike the more advanced CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) systems used by U.S. carriers, limits its operational capabilities.
One of the critical challenges for the Kuznetsov is its propulsion system that relies on Mazut, a heavy, low-quality fuel oil known for its polluting properties. The vessel requires a specialized crew of 1,500 to operate efficiently, a significant reduction from the pre-refit crew size of 1,900. However, as reported by the Russian news outlet Izvestia, the navy is currently in the process of “reforming” the crew, indicating the difficulties in staffing the vessel.
The challenges extend beyond the ship itself. Russia’s difficulties with carrier-based aviation are also evident in the jets designed for the Kuznetsov. Both the Yak-38 and the Su-33 faced multiple issues, from mechanical failures to limited capabilities. The MiG-29K, while more successful, has not escaped criticism, as evidenced by the 2016 report on its serviceability and the accidents during its deployment from the Kuznetsov to Syria in 2016.
As the Kuznetsov finally left drydock in February after being there since 2017, the path ahead remains tumultuous. There are staffing challenges to overcome, as well as modernization tasks, which are essential to equip the ship with new electronic gear and armaments that require specialized training. The timeline for these upgrades is uncertain, and the carrier is not expected to be ready before 2024 at the earliest.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has exacerbated the situation, diverting potential manpower to the frontlines and imposing heavy international sanctions on Russia, which may delay the reentrance of the Admiral Kuznetsov into active service.
Despite these obstacles, Russia’s persistence in maintaining the Kuznetsov is telling of its strategic imperatives. The carrier’s existence, albeit marred by misfortunes, serves as a symbol of Russia’s intent to preserve its blue-water capabilities and to showcase its presence in international waters.
Relevant articles:
– Admiral Kuznetsov: Russia’s Only Aircraft Carrier Now Has An Even Bigger Problem, The National Interest
– Admiral Kuznetsov: Russia’s Only Aircraft Carrier Is a Giant Mess, The National Interest, Feb 18, 2024
– Aircraft carriers aren’t the Russian navy’s only problem. It has also struggled for decades to build jets for them., Business Insider, Nov 15, 2023