Will Russia Give Up On Its Aircraft Carrier Dreams?

Russia's Admiral Kuznetsov (Wikipedia)

James Holmes, National Interest: Is Russia Finally Ready To Give Up On Its Aircraft Carrier Dreams?

A fire onboard Russia's Admiral Kuznetsov raises questions about the Russian Navy's ability to maintain its carrier.

Here's What You Need To Remember: Russian leaders are acutely concerned with restoring luster to the Russian Navy’s reputation, and thus obsessed with their luxury aircraft carrier. But it is far from uncommon for national leaders in any country to entangle national honor with weapon systems. The closest American analogy to the Kuznetsov would be deciding to extend the lifespan of the nuclear-powered flattop USS Nimitz into the indefinite future.


Fire aboard ship is never funny. Not to anyone who has served aboard ship and witnessed firsthand the perils of operating a metal box brimming with flammables and explosives amid the salty waste that is the sea. Even prospective foes deserve sympathy—not mockery. Back in December of last year, Russia Today reported that the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia’s lone flattop, was ablaze at its berth in Murmansk while undergoing repair work. Six people were reportedly injured. Another is missing.

All good wishes to the Kuznetsov crew and shipyard workers.

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WNU Editor: She is not salvageable. Time to face facts. It costs an enormous amount of money to build an aircraft carrier strike force, money that is best spent elsewhere. If Russia wants an aircraft carrier, build one that is smaller. France has one, and it has served them well.