Is the fate of Russia's sole aircraft carrier uncertain? - Is Russia's sole aircraft carrier on the brink of collapse?
The future of Russia's only aircraft carrier, the "Admiral Kuznetsov," is shaping up to be a historic shift for the Russian Navy. After years of costly, accident-ridden, and ineffective repairs, Russian officials and senior Navy figures appear to be moving toward officially retiring and dismantling the vessel.
Launched in 1985, the "Admiral Kuznetsov" has been undergoing an ambitious overhaul since 2018, initially planned for completion by 2022, but repeatedly delayed. The overhaul has been plagued by major setbacks, including a deadly 2019 fire, crane collapse, technical failures, and alleged corruption.
Recent reports suggest that the Russian Navy’s Main Command and the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) are set to make a final decision soon, with strong indications the modernization program will be terminated and the carrier scrapped. Senior naval leadership, such as former Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Sergei Avakyants, have publicly stated that aircraft carriers in the classic form are obsolete and vulnerable to modern weapons, implying that the Navy does not intend to continue investing in the Kuznetsov or similar vessels.
If scrapped, the Russian Navy will lose its capability to operate an aircraft carrier, which will represent a significant change in its naval power profile. However, experts suggest that the outdated Admiral Kuznetsov could be scrapped, as it may no longer serve a practical or strategic purpose.
Since 2017, the "Admiral Kuznetsov" has been lying in the port of Murmansk. It is currently unclear whether the Admiral Kuznetsov will return to service, but repair and modernization work on the vessel has been halted. In 2018, the "Admiral Kuznetsov" suffered damage when a floating dock sank.
If the decision is made against further repairs, the Admiral Kuznetsov will have to be scrapped and disposed of. Western observers have previously expressed skepticism about whether the "Admiral Kuznetsov" will ever set sail again, and the trend and insider reports strongly favor scrapping the aging carrier.
The consolidated crew of the "Admiral Kuznetsov" was sent to Ukraine, and it is unclear when or if a new crew will be formed. Admiral Avakyants, former commander of the Russian Pacific Fleet, believes that in the long term, the Russian Navy doesn't need aircraft carriers in their classic form. Instead, he suggests that the future belongs to robot systems and unmanned aircraft.
No official announcement has been made yet, but the trend and insider reports strongly favor scrapping the aging carrier. As the "Admiral Kuznetsov" continues to lie in Murmansk, the Russian Navy and the United Shipbuilding Corporation will soon make a decision on whether to continue the work on the vessel. The fate of the "Admiral Kuznetsov" may mark a significant turning point in the future of the Russian Navy.
- As the Russian Navy and the United Shipbuilding Corporation consider the future of the "Admiral Kuznetsov," discussions regarding community policy and employment policy may arise, given the potential impact on shipyard workers and naval personnel.
- The possible scrapping of the "Admiral Kuznetsov" could signify a shift in Russia's general-news and political landscape, particularly in relation to technology and military strategy, as naval leadership advocates for the use of robot systems and unmanned aircraft over traditional aircraft carriers.
