Reuters
Zachary Keck, National Interest: Russia's Only Aircraft Carrier Is Doomed
Russia’s only aircraft carrier, the aging Admiral Kuznetsov, is in big trouble.
This week, a Russian-language report in Interfax disclosed that Russia has cut in half funding for repairing and modernization its aircraft carrier. “Instead of [the] previously planned approximately 50 billion rubles [$867 million] for the work, it is planned to allocate about half of the previously announced amount,” Interfax reported, citing a source “familiar” with the situation.
The same source said that the budgetary problems has forced Russia to abandon plans to modernize the carrier, and instead Moscow will only proceed with the previously planned repairs. These will primarily focus on fixing the vessel's propulsion system, the report added. This is the absolute minimum Russia can do to avoid completely scrapping the ship: the propulsion system has been so unreliable that the carrier must be accompanied at all times by a large, ocean-going tug ship in case it breaks down (again).
Read more ....
Update #1: Russia's Dilapidated Aircraft Carrier To Get a Downer of an Upgrade (Popular Mechanics)
Update #2: Russia Cuts Funds for Aircraft Carrier Modernization (The Diplomat)
WNU Editor: It appears that Moscow has budgetary problems.
16 comments:
How can that be? Just two days ago bposter ensured me that Russia is the strongest super power on earth. I of course told him that Russia has just a gdp comparable to Italy and a bit earlier I told him they run out of money if they keep spending so much money on their army. .but hey. .what do I know ;)
The primary function of an aircraft carrier is the injection of force. In this modern world are they necessary as a military vehicle or could they be put to better use for humanity? Imagine one of these parked off the coast of Puerto Rico converting ocean water into fresh water and serving as a platform for the delivery of food, water and other essentials inland via helicopter.
B Poster?
Yeah a regular poster here by the name bposter...He always claims Russia is the no1 super power on earth and suggests that the US should bow to their Russian masters lol... Not saying Russia isn't awesome and can't kick ass (hell I sure wouldn't want to face that army in any situation other than maybe during a parade), but I wouldn't go as far as calling the Russians the No1 super power, that's awfully misinformed. The title of No1 superpower is between the US and China. With the US being my favorite, because hey, they've got good music to kick ass to and they got freeeeeedddoooommmss :)
It's a fixer upper. A little paint will do wonders.
It doesn't surprise me that Russia has chosen not to expend resources on an aging aitcraft. Essentiallt they are obsolete. Due to work and family committments the time I have to post is limited. Time permitting I will try and address the posts directed at me.
Sorry bposter..didn't mean to burden you with having to reply. I'm just teasing - I find it refreshing to hear your thoughts on Russia. And ultimately I hope we'll never have to find out anyways. Russia has certainly cool weapons. .would be awesome to have a US/Russia joint venture at some point...but I guess it'll take a few more decades until the trust is there.
Anon # 1,
I don't recall a conversation with you from two days ago. I think I may have had simikar conversations though. If you read my posts in the entirety, you would know that I did not "ensure" you or anyone else that Russia is the most powerful country on earth. I have consistently stated we cannot "know" the outcome of a military conflict until it actually takes place.
While I do estimate a high degree of probability for reasons that I have explained in great detail here and elsewhere numerous times that Russia would prevail in such a conflict, I reiterate we do not "know." Given that there is no good reason for such a conflict, victory if it can be achieved would be extremely pyric, and there is nothing to be gained it seems rather unwise to be going out of our way to provoke such a confljct as US leaders are currently doing.
Furthermore stats like GDP are relatively unimportant stats when comoaring rekative strength of nations. Very respectfully such an analysis is incomplete. Things such as troop readiness, training, morale, leadership, equipnent readiness, willingness and ability of a populace to sustain a fight, readiness of a sufficient nuclear arsenal, and lack of encumberences that would prevent a country from maintaining a war effort.
With regards to the encumberences US national debt, crumbling infrastructure, lack of a properly trained workforce to address this, and lack of alies who could/would supply us with the raw materials and manufactured goods we need would very likely place us at a decisive disadvantage against major powers like Russia and China.
Again, as stated, we cannot "know." Mr. Trump stated he upgraded the nuclear arsenal. If so, perhaps our odds are now improved. In any event, the evidence against America as a superpower plies up daily. A more apt definition of America is "Petomkin Village."
There are solutions. In order to realize and implement them, reality needs to be recognized. Denial of reality in place ideolgy is unlikely to end well.
Bob,
In the traditional way they've been used, they are obsolete. A better description of them is "floating death trap." Essentially when the US government commissioned "floating death trap" Gerald R. Ford they stupidly spent US taxpayer money and placed our Navy personnel in even graver danger than they were already in.
You raise an intriguing possibility on how we might use them. The Puerto Rico officials have shown themselves to be incompetent and corrupt. This does seem an inruguing way to bypass them.
I've known for at least 20 years that Puerto Rico is a net liability to America and should have been jettisondd long ago. Furthermore they have tinkered with the idea of "indeoendence" down through the decades. Had it been up to me I'd have said "LEAVE!! DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE WAY OUT!!" Alas, it wasn't up to me. Perhaps now would be a great time to jettison this liability once and for all.
A certain Puerto Rican offical demonstrated himself to be a complete and total buffoon several weeks back. He asked, to paraphrase, "why can't America the world's greatest country deliver and distribute aid faster?"
The "world's greatest country" remark stuck out and is deeply offensive to most Americans. There are approximately 200 countries on earth. Relative to these America ranks probably somewhere between 150-170, not a "great" country by any means, as most Americans are aware of.
Of course we aspire to be great. We live in the shadow of a great country like Canada that we strive to emulate and hope we can reach your level some day.
In any event, this official deeply insulted Americans and such won't be forgotten. If a coach or someone affiliated with a team called a sub .500 season great, they'd be fired, laughed off the stage, or both. What to do with idiot Puerto Rican official? At a minimum, the Puerto Ricans need to remove him forthwith.
oh Lord.... more inverted worldview boiler plate coming up..
Anon # 2,
I have stated here and elsewhere why I think Russia would probably prevail but as I've always pointed out we cannot "know" unless the war actually happens.
Furthermore I do not recall saying we should "bow" to Russia as "masters." I have pointed out that trends regarding the US relative to Russia and China don't look good for us with regards to either country. As such, we may find ourselves in a world where Russia and China are the world's dominant powers. We may already be there. As such, how we adapt is a legitimate question.
At this point in time, I'd suggest respecting them treating them as equals and acting accordingly. I've also suggested "adding value." When dealing with influential people, we do this sort of thing on a regular basis. This does NOT mean we "bow" to them as "masters."
"Now not saying Russia isn't awesome and can't kick..." this part I couldn't have put better myself. Given that we don't need Cold War 2, can't afford it, and lack the resources to prosecute it effectively, there's no reason for it.
As for the top powers, I'd place Russia over China because of the massive nuclear arsenal. As for America, assuming ours would even work, given massive disadvantages elsewhere, we would have a fighting chance.
As for the music, this is clearly a matter of opinion. As for freedoms, if America does well here, it would only be because others are much worse. This seems hardly something we should take pride in.
Fazman,
I've tried to address everything here. Given family and work committments, the time I have to respond is limited. As such, I may have missed something.
Aircraft carriers have, at best, very limited utility. As such, it comes as no surprise to me that Russia is not investing money here. With that said I will be reading the article in its entirety.
Anon (post 7 on the thread)
I agree it would be cool to have a joint venture with Russia at some point. Hopefully it can be done and won't take "decades" to do.
Unfortunately endless and unneeded provocations primarily on the part of the US government have pretty much ended such a possibility right now.
This could have been achieved at the time Reagan and Gorbachev negotiated an endvto Cold War 1. Unfortunately he got sick and new US leadership took America in a new direction.
Later President Trump and his team spent many months if not years carefully and painstakingly putting together a diplomatic effort that could have ended Cold War 2 or at least mitigated tensions. This would have benefited EVERYONE ENORMOUSLY!! Unfortunately petty losers acted to undercut and very likely destroy this effort.
Perhaps US and "western" leaders will gain their sanity or we can replace them with better leaders.
Russ,
"inverted worldview boiler plate..." not sure to whom or what you are referring. I was finally able to read the article.
Essentially the article is stating the Russian aircraft carrier would only be able to operate in "low threat" and "permissive" environments. This is true of aircraft carriers in general not just the Russian one.
😂😁🤗
Fazman,
I like the laughter faces. Did someone write something funny here? I seem to have missed it. I could use a good laugh. I shall have to reread the posts here. Perhaps I will see what I missed.:-)
Post a Comment