The Admiral Kuznetsov is the only aircraft carrier in the Russian Navy, but today, it embodies much more than a simple military ship. Built ago 39 ansduring the Soviet era, this building became a striking symbol of the difficulties Russia encountered in keeping its naval capabilities up to date. It has been unable to sail for more than eight years, showing the enormous challenges Moscow faces in maintaining its military infrastructure. With a world watching sometimes with curiosity and often with skepticism, the future of this behemoth of the seas remains very unclear.
Endless repairs: when does it stop?
Admiral Kuznetsov’s repairs are like a never-ending bad series, full of accidents and endless delays. We thought it would all be over in 2024but we are still far from the goal. The ship is in need of major renovations: its flight deck, engines and electronic systems need to be refurbished. A fire during the work further complicated the already fragile situation. And then there was the sinking of the PD-50 floating dock in 2018which put an additional blow to repair efforts.
Industrial limitations in Russia don’t help. Many of the shipyards date from Soviet times and are now in Ukraine, leaving the Russians unable to accommodate a giant like the Kuznetsov. Current repairs are being done in Severomorsk with limited resources, including a floating dock purchased in Sweden which sank in 2018 (that doesn’t help).
Corruption and waste: where does the money go?
But the Kuznetsov’s problems are not just technical. Corruption and embezzlement also undermine renovation efforts. Vyacheslav Konovalov notes that “some expensive elements were never installed.” Pavel Felgenhauer adds that “each additional day costs a million more in someone’s pocket.”
These accusations highlight catastrophic financial management where expensive modernizations do not even see the light of day despite the allocated budgets.
A colossus with feet of clay
In its current state, the Admiral Kuznetsov often has to be assisted by a tugboat during its rare outings at sea. 2016during an operational mission, two aircraft were lost, forcing the redeployment of the remaining aircraft to Hmeimim in Syria.
-This situation shows not only the technical limits of the aircraft carrier but also the risks linked to its current use.
What future for the Russian aircraft carrier?
The future of Russia’s only aircraft carrier is uncertain with all these obstacles in its path. For many, hoping for its recovery is almost a fairy tale: “If you believe in that,” jokes a colleague in Moscow, “then you probably also believe in the Easter Bunny.” »
Beyond technical and financial questions, Admiral Kuznetsov raises important questions about Russia’s real capacity to maintain a modern and efficient fleet in the face of current geopolitical realities. For those who have followed this saga for a long time – military experts like Reuben F. Johnson or simply curious people – it represents much more than a simple maritime story; it evokes a bygone era whose echoes nevertheless continue to influence our present.
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