The Russian Navy is taking an unprecedented step by sending its only aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, to combat duty off Syria. In a first for Russian history, the aircraft carrier will go into active combat, acting in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against the forces of the rebellion and terror groups.
Named for a fabled Russian naval officer, Admiral Kuznetsov is the biggest combatant in the Russian fleet and its de facto flagship. The Kuznetsov was laid down between 1982 and 1985 and is classified as a “heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser,” a designation that makes it quite different from conventional aircraft carriers such as those in service with the U.S. Navy. The Kuznetsov is committed to fleet defense, boasting a load-out comprising: P-700 Granit/Shipwreck cruise missiles; a few helicopters, and several aircraft, including the Su-33 Flanker-D and MiG-29K Fulcrum. The ship has nevertheless been troubled by a range of technical problems throughout its operational service life, coupled with the less-than-savory reputation of being a punishment posting for sailors.
Its internal infrastructure is old, so pipes freeze up regularly, the water supply is restricted, and latrines often malfunction. The ventilation systems are capricious, while the engines break down so often that an oceangoing tug has to be dispatched whenever the Kuznetsov sorties out of port. A three-month refit last year in a bid to modernize the ship does not appear to have eradicated many of these problems.
Kuznetsov’s layout is even more complicated: STOBAR-Short Take Off But Arrested Recovery. Compared to American and French carriers that use catapults to launch their planes, the Kuznetsov has a ski ramp and must launch its aircraft with reduced bomb and fuel loads. This reduces the reach and punch of its air wing of Su-33s and MiG-29Ks. It must also steam into the wind at a minimum of 20 knots for safe takeoffs, a process which further strains its already fragile steam turbines.
Recent incidents have brought into light the operational problems faced by Kuznetsov. The Russian Navy lost two carrier-based fighters, a MiG-29KUBR, and a Su-33, to technical glitches with the arresting gear aboard the ship. This incident reflects the general lack of experience and competence in naval aviation in Russia. Though relatively old, the bigger problem of poorly trained personnel and poor maintenance practices has gripped the vessel since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
It means the U.S. Navy maintains their vessels in good material condition and trains their crews so well that even a carrier like the USS Enterprise could serve for more than 50 years without any problems, which until now Russia hasn’t been able to achieve.
As it sails on this mission, the unknown remains how it would perform in a combat context as has been done with American carriers over the last 15 years. It will last until late January, if all goes according to plan – and may thus count as the longest-ever deployment of the ship. But considering its history of machinery-related malfunctions, early return to port isn’t ruled out either. The Kuznetsov is due to begin a long-overdue heavy refit when it returns, designed to extend its life by 25 years.
The forthcoming deployment will be an important test of the Russian sole carrier: Whether it can shake off its sundry challenges and be a capable platform for projecting power in a zone of conflict remains to be seen.