The only aircraft carrier that Russia has, Admiral Kuznetsov, became a symbol of the failing naval power of this nation due to a streak of mishaps and maintenance issues that kept it in dock for years. What once was a proud insignia of Soviet naval might, the Kuznetsov now seems to face an unsure fate: will it ever set sail again?
The complexity and cost of aircraft carriers make them a popular metric for a nation’s military prowess. There’s the United States, which has eleven supercarriers, and China, which is rapidly building up its fleet. In sharp contrast, Russia’s only carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, has been out of commission for years, and the return date for it remains doubtful.
The Kuznetsov runs on outdated Mazut fuel and has a record of multiple problems, such as fires, accidents, and modernization delays. It was reported that the project should have taken place from 2018 to 2021 but sustained a few setbacks, which included a drydock accident in 2018, after which several fires broke out. It seems that the priority level for returning Kuznetsov to service is already low since all resources are being stretched because of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The projected return of the carrier in 2024 is at best unlikely; its future status remains operational, therefore, a question mark.
The operational history of the carrier is marked with mishaps. “Admiral Kuznetsov has a troubled history,” reported Robert Beckhusen. One seaman died when the carrier caught fire during a 2009 deployment to the Mediterranean. During the same cruise, the flattop spilled hundreds of tons of fuel into the sea while refueling. Her steam turbines are so unreliable that the ship has to be escorted by tugs in case she breaks down.
Another limitation of the Kuznetsov’s design further erases its effectiveness: It uses a bow ramp, not steam catapults, to launch fighters, which causes reductions in planes’ takeoff weight and patrol time. That means a limit to the amount of ordnance and fuel a jet can carry, which would have significantly reduced its offensive effectiveness and range.
The life extension program was supposed to grant the ship an extra quarter-century of service, but it was significantly delayed. Back in October 2018, the Kuznetsov was damaged when the PD-50 drydock sank, taking the ship with it, and a 70-ton crane punched a hole through the deck. Fires in 2019 and 2022 caused further damage to the vessel and claimed lives; thick fog in Murmansk early this year brought the repair work to a standstill.
These problems were further worsened by international sanctions that have seriously constricted Russia’s access to spare parts and upgrading technology. The sanctions have also straitjacketed the already-strained Russian defense budget, which can barely allocate sufficient funds for the Kuznetsov’s maintenance. Attention given to the aircraft carrier has been sacrificed in favor of other defense projects.
Operational challenges of the Kuznetsov have affected Russia’s global perception. From being a power projection across the seas for Russia, it is now struggling to retain the status of a formidable force. It has frequent breakdowns and visible neglect that has invited international scrutiny and criticism.
The limited operational capacity of Kuznetsov has further added to the problems impacting Russia’s capability to project power abroad. A reduced aircraft carrier presence in different important areas—for instance, the Mediterranean—lessens Russia’s influence in those regions. This decline in naval power has been viewed as a blow to Russia’s strategic ambitions in those regions where it seeks to contest Western primacy.
Added to these, it has been becoming difficult for the Kuznetsov due to its aged technology and outdated systems to keep up with the modern naval warfare demands. The carrier relies on old systems of propulsion, which break or experience mechanical failures frequently, subsequently raising questions over the overall effectiveness as a military asset.
Thus, the fate of the Admiral Kuznetsov remains uncertain. Chances of the carrier returning to service look dim amidst continuous maintenance troubles, budgetary pressures, and international sanctions. Once a powerful symbol of Russia’s naval might, the vessel may never sail again as problems continue to escalate.