Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov

History
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Name: Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Kuznetsov (Russian: Адмирал Флота Советского Союза Кузнецов)
Namesake: Nikolay Kuznetsov
Ordered: 3 March 1981
Builder:
Laid down: 1 April 1982[1]
Launched: 6 December 1985[1]
Commissioned:

25 December 1990[1][N 1]

(Fully operational in 1995)
Refit: May – August 2015[3]
Status: in active service
General characteristics
Class and type: Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier
Displacement:
  • 43,000 tons (Standard-load)[1]
  • 55,200 tons (Full-load)[1]
  • 61,390 tons (Max-load)
Length:
  • 305 m (1,001 ft) o/a[1]
  • 270 m (890 ft) w/l
Beam:
Draft: 10 m (33 ft)[1]
Propulsion:
  • Steam turbines, 8 turbo-pressurised boilers, 4 shafts, 200,000 hp (150 MW)
  • 2 × 50,000 hp (37 MW) turbines
  • 9 × 2,011 hp (1,500 kW) turbogenerators
  • 6 × 2,011 hp (1,500 kW) diesel generators
  • 4 × fixed pitch propellers
Speed: 29 knots (33 mph; 54 km/h)[1]
Range: 8,500 nmi (15,700 km) at 18 kn (21 mph; 33 km/h)[1]
Endurance: 45 days[1]
Complement:
  • 1,690 (total); 1,690 ship's crew[1]
  • 626 air group
  • 40 flag staff
  • 3,857 rooms
Armament:
Aircraft carried:
  • Approx. 41 aircraft[4]
    • Fixed Wing;
    • Rotary Wing;
      • 4 × Kamov Ka-27LD32 helicopters
      • 18 × Kamov Ka-27PL helicopters
      • 2 × Kamov Ka-27PS helicopters

Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Kuznetsov (Russian: Адмира́л фло́та Сове́тского Сою́за Кузнецо́в "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov") is an aircraft cruiser (heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser (TAVKR) in Russian classification) serving as the flagship of the Russian Navy. She was built by the Black Sea Shipyard, the sole manufacturer of Soviet aircraft carriers, in Mykolaiv within the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. The initial name of the ship was Riga; she was launched as Leonid Brezhnev, embarked on sea trials as Tbilisi, and finally named Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Kuznetsov.[6]

She was originally commissioned in the Soviet Navy, and was intended to be the lead ship of her class, but the only other ship of her class, Varyag, was never completed or commissioned by the Soviet, Russian or Ukrainian navy. This second hull was eventually sold to the People's Republic of China by Ukraine, completed in Dalian and launched as Liaoning.[7] Kuznetsov was named after the Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Nikolay Gerasimovich Kuznetsov.

Role

The design of Admiral Kuznetsov-class implies a mission different from that of the United States Navy's carriers. The term used by her builders to describe the Russian ships is tyazholyy avianesushchiy kreyser (TAVKR) – "heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser" – intended to support and defend strategic missile-carrying submarines, surface ships, and naval missile-carrying aircraft of the Russian Navy.

The deck configuration has three launch positions for fixed-wing aircraft.

Admiral Kuznetsov's main fixed-wing aircraft is the multi-role Sukhoi Su-33. It can perform air superiority, fleet defence, and air support missions and can also be used for direct fire support of amphibious assault, reconnaissance and placement of naval mines.[8]

The carrier also carries the Kamov Ka-27 and Kamov Ka-27S helicopters for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and small transport.

For take-off of fixed wing aircraft, Admiral Kuznetsov uses a ski-jump at the end of her deck. On take-off aircraft accelerate toward and up the ski-jump using their afterburners. This results in the aircraft leaving the deck at a higher angle and elevation than on an aircraft carrier with a flat deck and catapults. The ski-jump take-off is less demanding on the pilot, since the acceleration is lower, but results in a clearance speed of only 120–140 km/h (75–85 mph) requiring an aircraft design which will not stall at those speeds.[9]

The cruiser role is facilitated by Admiral Kuznetsov's complement of 12 long-range surface-to-surface anti-ship Granit (SS-N-19) (NATO name: Shipwreck) cruise missiles. As a result, this armament is the basis for the ship's Russian type designator of "heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser".

Transiting the Turkish Straits

The Kuznetsov's designation as an aircraft cruiser is very important under international law, as it allows the ship to transit the Turkish Straits. The Montreux Convention prohibits Russia from sending an aircraft carrier heavier than 15,000 tons through the Straits. Since the ship was built in the Ukrainian SSR, the Kuznetsov would have been stuck in the Black Sea if Turkey had refused permission to pass into the Mediterranean Sea.[10] However, the Convention does not limit the displacement of capital ships operated by Black Sea powers. Turkey has always allowed the Kuznetsov to transit the Straits, and no other signatory to the Montreux Convention has ever issued a formal protest of its classification as an aircraft cruiser.[11]

History

1990s

Kuznetsov in the waters south of Italy with USS Deyo, foreground, steaming off her port side.

Admiral Flota Sovetskovo Soyuza Kuznetsov, constructed at Chernomorskiy Shipyard, also known as Nikolayev South Shipyard, in Nikolayev, now Mykolaiv, Ukrainian SSR, was launched in 1985, and became fully operational in 1995. An official ceremony marking the start of construction took place on 1 September 1982; in fact she was laid down in 1983. The vessel was first named Riga, then the name was changed to Leonid Brezhnev, this was followed by Tbilisi. Finally, on 4 October 1990,[12] she was renamed Admiral Flota Sovetskovo Soyuza Kuznetsov, referred to in short as Admiral Kuznetsov.[6] The ship was 71% complete by mid-1989. In November 1989 she undertook her first aircraft operation trials. In December 1991, she sailed from the Black Sea to join the Northern Fleet. Only from 1993 on did she receive aircraft.

From 23 December 1995 through 22 March 1996 Admiral Kuznetsov made her first 90-day Mediterranean deployment with 13 Su-33, 2 Su-25 UTG, and 11 helicopters aboard.[13] The deployment was to allow the carrier, which was accompanied by a frigate, destroyer and oiler, to adapt to the Mediterranean climate and to perform continuous flight operations until 21:00 each day, as the Barents Sea only receives about one hour of sunlight during this time of year.[14] This cruise marked the 300th anniversary of the Russian Navy celebrated in 1996. During that period the carrier lay at anchor off the port of Tartus, Syria.[15] Her aircraft often made flights close to the Israeli shore line and were escorted by Israeli F-16s.[15] During the deployment, a severe water shortage occurred due to evaporators breaking down.[14]

At the end of 1997 she remained immobilized in a Northern Fleet shipyard, awaiting funding for major repairs, which were halted when they were only 20% complete. The overhaul was completed in July 1998, and the ship returned to active service in the Northern fleet on 3 November 1998.

2000–2010

Sukhoi Su-33 aircraft aboard Kuznetsov during exercises in the Barents Sea in 2008

Kuznetsov remained in port for about two years before preparing for another Mediterranean deployment scheduled for the winter of 2000–2001. This deployment was cancelled due to the explosion and sinking of the nuclear-powered submarine Kursk. The Kuznetsov participated in the Kursk rescue and salvage operations in late 2000. Plans for further operations were postponed or cancelled. In late 2003 and early 2004, Kuznetsov went to sea for inspection and trials. In October 2004, she participated in a fleet exercise of the Russian Navy in the Atlantic Ocean.[16] During a September 2005 exercise, an Su-33 accidentally fell from the carrier into the Atlantic Ocean.[17] On 27 September 2006, it was announced that Kuznetsov would return to service in the Northern Fleet by the year's end, following another modernization to correct some technical issues. Admiral Vladimir Masorin, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, also stated that Su-33 fighters assigned to her would return after undergoing their own maintenance and refits.

From 5 December 2007 through 3 February 2008 Kuznetsov made its second Mediterranean deployment.[13] On 11 December 2007, Kuznetsov passed by Norwegian oil platforms in the North Sea, 60 nautical miles (110 km) outside Bergen, Norway.[18] Su-33 fighters and Kamov helicopters were launched from Kuznetsov while within international waters; Norwegian helicopter services to the rigs were halted due to the collision risk with the Russian aircraft. Kuznetsov later participated in an exercise on the Mediterranean Sea, together with 11 other Russian surface ships and 47 aircraft, performing three tactical training missions using live and simulated air and surface missile launches.[19] Kuznetsov and its escorts returned to Severomorsk on 3 February 2008. Following maintenance, she returned to sea on 11 October 2008 for the Stability-2008 strategic exercises held in the Barents Sea, during which the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev visited her on 12 October 2008.

From 5 December 2008 through 2 March 2009, Kuznetsov made its third Mediterranean deployment.[13] On 5 December 2008, she and several other vessels left Severomorsk for the Atlantic for a combat training tour, including joint drills with Russia's Black Sea Fleet and visits to several Mediterranean ports.[20][21] On 7 January 2009, a small fire broke out onboard Kuznetsov while anchored off Turkey. The fire, caused by a short-circuit, led to the death of one crew member by carbon monoxide poisoning.[22] On 16 February 2009, she, along with other Russian naval vessels, was involved in a large oil spill while refuelling off the south coast of Ireland.[23] On 2 March 2009, Kuznetsov returned to Severomorsk. In September 2010 Kuznetsov left dry dock after scheduled repairs and preparations for a training mission in the Barents Sea later that month.

2011–12 Mediterranean deployment

Kuznetsov is shadowed by the British destroyer HMS York off the British coast en route to her 2011 Mediterranean cruise

The Russian Main Navy Staff announced that Kuznetsov would begin a deployment to the Atlantic and Mediterranean in December 2011. In November 2011, it was announced that Kuznetsov would lead a squadron to Russia's naval facility in Tartus.[24][25] A contrary statement was made by a Russian naval spokesman to the Izvestia daily that "The call of the Russian ships in Tartus should not be seen as a gesture towards what is going on in Syria... This was planned already in 2010 when there were no such events there" noting that Kuznetsov would also be making port calls in Beirut, Genoa and Cyprus.[26] On 29 November 2011, Army General Nikolay Makarov, Chief of the Russian General Staff, said that Russian ships in the Mediterranean were due to exercises rather than events in Syria, and noted that the Kuznetsov's size does not allow it to moor in Tartus.[27]

Kuznetsov (right) at anchor in Severomorsk, alongside the new Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya in 2012

On 6 December 2011, Kuznetsov and escorting ships departed its Northern Fleet homebase for the Mediterranean deployment to exercise with ships from the Russian Baltic and Black Sea Fleets.[28] On 12 December 2011 Kuznetsov and its escorts, were spotted northeast of Orkney off the coast of northern Scotland, the first such time she had deployed near the UK. HMS York shadowed the group for a week; due to severe weather, the group took shelter in international waters in the Moray Firth, some 30 miles from the UK coast. The Kuznetsov then sailed around the top of Scotland and into the Atlantic past western Ireland, where it conducted flight operations with her Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker jets and Kamov Ka-27 helicopters in international airspace.[29] On 8 January 2012, Kuznetsov anchored near shore outside Tartus while other ships in its escort entered the port to use the leased Russian naval support facility to replenish their supplies, after which all ships continued their deployment on 9 January.[30] On 17 February 2012, Kuznetsov returned to its homebase of Severomorsk.

2013–14 deployment

With HMS Dragon off the UK in May 2014

On 1 June 2013, it was announced that the ship would return to the Mediterranean by the end of the year.[31] On 17 December, Kuznetsov departed her homebase for the Mediterranean.[32] On 1 January 2014, Kuznetsov celebrated New Year while at anchor in international waters of the Moray Firth off northeast Scotland. The anchorage allowed replenishment of ship's supplies and respite for the crew from stormy weather off the southwest coast of Norway. She then proceeded to the Mediterranean Sea,[33] docking in Cyprus on 28 February.[34]

In May 2014, the ship and its task group: the Kirov-class nuclear-powered cruiser Petr Velikiy; three tankers; Sergey Osipov, Kama and Dubna; one ocean-going tug Altay and the tank-landing ship Minsk (a Ropucha-class landing ship part of the Black Sea Fleet sailed home and approached the UK.[35]

Although financial and technical problems have resulted in limited operations for the ship,[36] it is expected that Admiral Kuznetsov will remain in active duty until at least 2030.[37]

Mid-life refit

In April 2010, it was announced that by the end of 2012 the ship would enter Severodvinsk Sevmash shipyard for a major refit and modernisation,[38] reportedly to include upgrades to obsolete electronics and sensor equipment, installation of a new anti-aircraft system and increase of the air wing by the removal of the P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles; it was thought possible that the refit would also include exchanging the troublesome steam powerplant to gas-turbine or even nuclear propulsion and installation of catapults to the angled deck.[38]

According to the newspaper Bulletin Reports, the Russian Navy expected to buy the Mikoyan MiG-29K aircraft for Admiral Kuznetsov by 2011; this intent was confirmed by the general designer of one of the defence enterprises which produces sub-assemblies for these aircraft.[39][40] These would replace the 19 carrier-based Su-33 fighters, a resource set to expire by 2015. Producing more Su-33s is possible but not cost-effective for such small volumes; the MiG-29K is more convenient as the Indian Navy placed an order a total for 45, reducing development and manufacture costs. India paid $730 million for the development and delivery of 16 MiG-29Ks; 24 more for the Russian Navy would cost about $1 billion.[39]

The carrier will reportedly start an overhaul and modernisation in the first quarter of 2017. This is expected to extend its service life by 25 years.[41]

2016 deployment

Following a refit the Admiral Kuznetsov set sail on 15 October 2016 from Kola Bay for the Mediterranean, accompanied by seven other Russian navy vessels including the nuclear-powered battlecruiser Pyotr Velikiy and two Udaloy class destroyers.[42][43] The British media made a claim that the carrier was accompanied by an ocean-going tugboat as he is known for engine malfunctions.[44] His airwing included 6-8 Su-33 fighters,[45] four Mig-29KR/KUBR multi-role aircraft,[46] Ka-52K "Katran" navalised attack helicopters,[47] Ka-31R "Helix" AEW&C helicopters[47] and Ka-27PS "Helix-D" search and rescue helicopters.[47] All the Su-33 have been upgraded with the Gefest SVP-24 bombsights for free-fall bombs, giving them a limited ground-attack capability.[45] Analysts including Mikhail Barabanov of the Moscow Defense Brief have suggested that a lack of trained pilots restricts the number of fixed-wing aircraft that can be deployed from the carrier.[48]

A week later, the Admiral Kuznetsov battle group sailed through the English Channel, escorted by Royal Navy ships, while the UK defence minister Michael Fallon speculated that the taskforce was designed to "test" the British naval response.[49] On 26 October 2016, the ship was reported to have passed through the Strait of Gibraltar[50] and refuelled at sea off North Africa the following day.[51] On 3 November 2016, the Kuznetsov battle group paused off the east coast of Crete.[52]

On 14 November a MiG-29K crashed in to the sea after taking off from the carrier. The pilot ejected safely from the plane and was rescued by helicopter. According to Russian officials, the crash was a result of technical malfunction.[53][54]

On 15 November 2016 Admiral Kuznetsov took part in combat missions in Syria against ISIS terrorists by launching Su-33 fighter jets, making it the first Russian aircraft carrier to see combat.[55][56] Russian Defence Ministry said that 30 militants were killed as a result of the strikes, including 3 field commanders. Su-33s used precision 500-kg bombs.[57]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ According to Defense Daily, the ship was commissioned on 21 January 1991.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Yu.B. Apalkov, Korabli VMF SSSR, Tom 2, Udarnye Korabli, Galeya Print, Sankt Peterburg, 2003
  2. ↑ "Soviet Naval Aviation increasing - U.S. Navy spy chief; Kutzenow carrier should deploy this year". Defense Daily. 11 March 1991. Retrieved 8 August 2015 – via HighBeam Research. (subscription required (help)).
  3. ↑ "Russia's Admiral Kuznetsov Aircraft Carrier is Back in Service!". Sputnik. 20 August 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  4. ↑ Admiral Kuznetsov the only aircraft carrier in the Russian Navy
  5. ↑ flotprom.ru http://flotprom.ru/news/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=170929. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. 1 2 Sovetskii Avianostsy, S.Balakin & V.Zablotskiy, Moscow 2007
  7. ↑ "China's Aircraft Carrier Ambitions: Seeking Truth from Rumors." Storey, I.; Ji, Y. Naval War College Review. Winter 2004, Vol. 57, No. 1. Archived 12 December 2006 at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ↑ KnAAPO. "The Su-33 single-seat carrier-based fighter".
  9. ↑ Gordon, Yefim & Davidson, Peter. 2006. "Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker", p. 54. Warbird Tech Series, vol. 42. ISBN 978-1-58007-091-1.
  10. ↑ Miller, David V.; Hine, Jr., Jonathan T. (31 January 1990). Soviet Carriers in the Turkish Straits (PDF). Newport, Rhode Island: Naval War College.
  11. ↑ John Pike. "Montreux Convention 1936". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  12. ↑ Korabli VMF SSSR" (USSR Navy Ships), Yu.V. Apalkov, Galeya Print, Sankt Peterburg, 2003
  13. 1 2 3 http://www.mil.ru
  14. 1 2 Almond, Peter (11 January 1996). "U.S. Poised to Rescue Russian Sailors". Washington Post. Retrieved 8 May 2015 – via HighBeam Research. (subscription required (help)).
  15. 1 2 Encounters of the Russian Kind, IAF journal no. 145., June 2002 (Hebrew)
  16. ↑ Pavel Felgenhauer, "A Foolhardy Naval Exercise", Moscow Times. Critical article about the fall 2004 exercise in which Kuznetsov participated.
  17. ↑ "Затонувший Су-33 бомбить не будут - он разрушится сам". Lenta.ru. 7 September 2005. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  18. ↑ Klungtveit, Harald S.; Gulseth, Hege Løvstad (11 December 2007). "Russiske jagerfly lager kaos i Nordsjøen" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 18 September 2008.
  19. ↑ Terje Solsvik; Wojciech Moskwa (11 December 2007). "Russian navy disrupts [sic] access to N.Sea oilfields". reuters.com. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  20. ↑ "Russian warships head to Atlantic, Mediterranean". Moscow. AP. 5 December 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  21. ↑ "Russian naval task force heads to Atlantic, Mediterranean". Moscow. RIA Novosti. 5 December 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  22. ↑ Sailor killed in fire on board Russian warship off Turkey – 2 | Russia | RIA Novosti
  23. ↑ TimesOnline.co.uk Huge oil slick from Russian ship heads for British coastline, Accessed 17 February 2009.
  24. ↑ "Russia sent military ships to base in Syria". Hotspots and Incidents – Terrorism. Pravda. 30 November 2011. Archived from the original on 1 December 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  25. ↑ Thomas Grove (28 November 2011). "Russia sending warships to its base in Syria". Africa. Rueters. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  26. ↑ Russia to send warships to Syria in 2012: report
  27. ↑ Interfax, Moscow 1250 GMT 29 Nov 11
  28. ↑ RIA Novosti 6 Dec 2001 1121GMT
  29. ↑ "York completes a week shadowing Russia's biggest warship around the British Isles" Royal Navy Press Release, 22 December 2011
  30. ↑ Russian news agency INTERFAX 8 January 2012
  31. ↑ "Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier to start long-range mission in Mediterranean in late 2013". Russia Beyond The Headlines. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  32. ↑ http://tvzvezda.ru/news/forces/content/201312171348-ad8c.htm
  33. ↑ Russia TV station ZVEZDA
  34. ↑ http://famagusta-gazette.com/russian-aircraft-carrier-docks-in-cyprus-p22487-69.htm
  35. ↑ http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2014/May/08/140508-Russian-Task-Group
  36. ↑ "Advancing, blindly". The Economist. 18 September 2008. Retrieved 18 September 2008.
  37. ↑ Russia plans new life for naval assets Extract from Jane's, August 2006 Archived 1 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  38. 1 2 "Moscow set to upgrade Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier". RIA Novosti. 6 April 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
  39. 1 2 Russian Navy will probably buy 24 MiG-29K fighters designed for India
  40. ↑ Trude Pettersen (25 September 2009). "New fighter jets for Admiral Kuznetsov". BarentsObserver.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  41. ↑ Soper, Karl (1 August 2016). "Kuznetsov overhaul designed to maintain carrier capability while Russia considers future carrier options". Jane's Navy International. Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group. 121 (6). ISSN 1358-3719.
  42. ↑ "Авианосная группа кораблей Северного флота начала поход в Средиземное море". RIA Novosti. 15 October 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  43. ↑ Ripley, Tim (17 October 2016). "Russian carrier sails for the Mediterranean". IHS Jane's 360. Jane's. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  44. ↑ "Belching smoke through the Channel, Russian aircraft carrier so unreliable it sails with its own breakdown tug". The Telegraph. October 22, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  45. 1 2 "'Sea Flankers' prepare for Syria". Combat Aircraft. 30 September 2016.
  46. ↑ "Russian Navy MiG-29K lost in Mediterranean". Combat Aircraft. 14 November 2016.
  47. 1 2 3 "Carrier-based Ka-52K bound for Syria", Combat Aircraft, 21 October 2016
  48. ↑ Majumdar, Dave (19 September 2016). ""Russia's Only Aircraft Carrier Is Headed For Syria (But Suffers From One Big Flaw)"". The National Interest. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  49. ↑ "Russian warships escorted through English Channel by British navy on their way to Syria". The Independent. 21 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  50. ↑ "Russia withdraws request for carrier battle group to refuel in Spain amid NATO pressure on Madrid". RT. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  51. ↑ "Russia warships: Kuznetsov battle group 'refuels off North Africa'". BBC. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  52. ↑ "Ominous news for Aleppo as Russian frigate reaches Syrian coast". The Guardian. November 4, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  53. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37978463
  54. ↑ http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/11/14/russian-fighter-jet-crashes-near-its-aircraft-carrier-in-mediterranean-us-officials-say.html
  55. ↑ Sputnik. "Russian Admiral Grigorovich Frigate Targets Terrorists in Syria With Missiles". sputniknews.com. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  56. ↑ "Russian carrier takes part in massive strikes on terrorists in Syria's Idlib & Homs provinces – MoD". RT International. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  57. ↑ https://www.rt.com/news/367205-syria-nusra-commanders-killed-strikes/

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