By Kris Osborn, Warrior
(Washington DC) There are many reasons why Russia’s Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier is not likely to see operational deployment anytime soon, as it has been plagued with problems and is now dry docked for ongoing repairs in what seems like an endless series of technological, structural and maintenance problems.
There is already considerable skepticism about whether the troubled vessel will ever sail again, yet a cursory look at its deployment history lends additional evidence suggesting the ship should not operate in the future.
In the 2016 timeframe, Russia deployed its Kuznetsov aircraft carrier off the coast of Syria in support of the Assad regime during the civil war. While some airstrikes launching from the Kuznetsov did attack ISIS forces during the ongoing conflict, there were a series of significant failures related to the aircraft which suggest that the platform should not operate again.
The problems experienced on this deployment are both numerous and quite significant, ranging from engine failure of its aircraft to launching problems and fighter-jet crashes. A 2016 BBC news report tracking the Kuznetsov in November, 2016 reported that a Russian carrier-launched MiG-29K crashed in the Mediterranean while circling the ship. The Russian defence ministry was quoted explaining the crash as the result of mechanical failure, yet other assessments added additional detail.
Accounts of the crash further add that problems with the ship’s “arrestor cables” were cited as being a part of the failure. Multiple press accounts from the carrier’s deployment off Syria say the Kuznetsov carried out more than 400 combat missions, more than 1,000 enemy targets in Syria. The Russian carrier was joined by a group of ships off the Syrian coast intended to attack rebel targets near Aleppo in support of the Assad regime during the civil war.
Built-in Problems
Apart from its series of operational problems, setbacks and mishaps, the Kuznetsov was reportedly built with structural problems and outdated systems, according to an interesting essay in The National Interest.
“Plagued by poor craftsmanship, outdated systems, and environmental issues like belching thick black smoke due to its Mazut fuel, the carrier has faced problems since its inception during the Soviet Union’s final years. Notably, during its deployment in the Syrian Civil War, the U.S. Navy monitored it—not out of fear, but anticipating it might sink,” the TNI essay says.
Part of the problem with the Russian carrier was also documented in a significant essay in a November, 1945 magazine article citing ship-repairmen’s findings on the carrier in Russia’s Pravda newspaper.
“Ship repairmen warned the military that the condition of Admiral Kuznetsov does not allow it to be deployed due to the high probability that it would sink or capsize. During the examination, it was revealed that the metal structures below the third deck of the ship were significantly corroded. The holds are filled with muddy water, which makes it impossible to examine the ship in detail from the inside,” the Pravda paper states.
All of this evidence related to the Kuznetzov’s failed deployment, and Russia’s continued Naval problems in the Black Sea operating against Ukraine would suggest that Russia would likely be “ill-served” to attempt to deploy the troubled ship again and bring it back into operational service.
Kris Osborn is President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a highly qualified expert in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University
