The impact of Western sanctions on the Russian war effort is being felt significantly. Russia, once proud of its naval power, finds itself forced to depend on allies like North Korea and Iran to support its armed forces. This situation reveals the flaws in the Russian military supply chain.
The case of the cruiser Admiral Nakhimov, belonging to the Kirov class, perfectly illustrates these difficulties. This ship, considered the largest surface combatant in the Russian navy, has been immobilized since 1999. Its modernization, started in 2015, is accumulating delays:
- Sea trials initially planned for the end of 2018
- Successive postponements to 2023, then 2024
- Last deadline missed on November 15, 2023
The Russian authorities cite climatic or crew training reasons to justify these delays. However, it is more likely that technical and financial difficulties are the real cause of this situation.
A financial pit with dramatic consequences
The renovation of Admiral Nakhimov turned into a real budgetary black hole for the Russian Navy. Estimates of the cost of this pharaonic project vary between 200 and 500 billion rubles, i.e. 2 to 5 billion dollars. These colossal expenses have a direct impact on Russia's ability to maintain and build other ships essential to its fleet.
The following table illustrates the extent of the problem:
| Aspect | Impact |
|---|---|
| Estimated cost | $2-5 billion |
| Duration of work | 8+ years (since 2015) |
| Consequences | Resource limitation for other naval projects |
This situation is all the more worrying as other major ships in the Russian fleet are experiencing similar difficulties. The aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, for example, has become infamous for its recurring technical problems.
National pride versus operational reality
Despite the obvious technical and financial difficulties, the Kremlin persists in its desire to carry out the modernization of Admiral Nakhimov. This obstinacy is largely explained by considerations of prestige national. In a context where Russia seeks to assert its power on the international scene, having the largest non-aircraft carrier surface combatant takes on strong symbolic importance.
However, this ambition comes up against several realities:
- Cold War design ill-suited to modern conflicts
- The ship would represent a prime target in the event of conflict
- The resources invested could be better used for more relevant platforms
Paradoxically, some Western observers welcome Russia's pursuit of this project. Indeed, every ruble spent on the renovation of the Admiral Nakhimov is a ruble not invested in more modern and potentially more threatening naval technologies.
The situation of the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov perfectly illustrates this dilemma between prestige and operational efficiency. Although a symbol of Russian naval power, this ship accumulates technical problems, considerably limiting its real usefulness.
Ultimately, the case of the battlecruiser Kirov highlights the challenges facing the Russian navy in a context of international sanctions. Between geopolitical ambitions and economic constraints, the Kremlin finds itself faced with difficult choices which could redefine the future of its fleet and, by extension, its place on the world stage.
