Final preparations for sending of the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier to the Syrian shores are being held at the 35th ship-repairing yard in Murmansk.
Photo: twitter.com / M3t4_tr0n
Active loading works are being carried out on the Admiral Kuznetsov heavy aircraft carrier, moored at the 35th ship-repairing yard in Murmansk, before going on combat duty in the Mediterranean Sea.
As the Interfax news agency reported earlier, citing a source familiar with the situation, the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft cruiser of the Russian Northern Fleet is expected to depart to the coasts of Syria in mid-October.
“The start of the long campaign of the carrier air strike group will be held in the period from October 15 to October 20,” the source told the news agency.
The aircraft carrier has arrived to the 35th ship-repairing yard on August 12, where the second stage of maintenance service and recovery of technical readiness was being carried out for more than a month.
On September 21, Russian Defense Minister, General Sergei Shoigu, announced plans of the Russian Defense Ministry to send the aircraft carrier to the Syria shores.
According to reports, a large antisubmarine warfare ship, a big sea tanker and a rescue tug will accompany the aircraft carrier in the campaign, which will last 4-5 months.
In previous years, the Admiral Kuznetsov has several times performed combat tasks in the eastern Mediterranean.
Photo: twitter.com / M3t4_tr0n
Photo: twitter.com / M3t4_tr0n
Photo: twitter.com / M3t4_tr0n
This ship is designed to launch planes with air to air (light) missiles, NOT the heaviest potential land attack war-load, as the planes can only be loaded down with half their potential weight capacity and safely take off from the ski-jump ramp.
This ship was designed to neutralize US carrier battle groups, NOT as a force projection for land attacks.
Still, it is good to practice what one can using the ship.
I read this all the time. Half load half fuel? From the first launch site at the bow of the ship with the SU 33 this may very well be the case. From the secondary launch position which adds additional runway ( numerous meters looks to be twice the length) using Mig 29K it should not be a problem. Mig 29K emr thrust should be somewhere close to 1.39 TTWR, Su 33 is closer to 1.16 area? Guesstmates? But probably close. Mig should have it a lot easier, plus I don,t think they are sending it for CAP.
I suspect that it’s anti-shipping capabilities are exactly the reason the Russians are sending this ship to the Mediterranean.
The Russians have the Cruiser Moska there already which has considerable anti-shipping and s-300 air defence system. In addition they sent a couple of Buyan class corvettes last week which are primarily anti-shipping missile platforms. In total 10 Russian naval vessles transited the bosperous last week.
The addition of the Admiral Kuznetsov with it’s dedicated specialized air wing will give the Russians a full spectrum anti-shipping task force in the Eastern Mediterranean. Keep in mind that the USA can not only attack from the sea but can gather a lot of intelligence from seaborne ships and aircraft….if you can keep the navy planes from operating you can hide a few submarines behind the AD bubble.
You forgot the smallest and greatest Russian warship going to Syria. The guided missile corvette MRK Mirazh, that sank the Georgian warship back in 2008. (Forcing the rest of the Georgian Navy to retire back to their piers where some were burned and some survived but all were withdrawn from the war action.)
Did you hear about, last Saturday, the 1,905 ton US warship (Arrowhead) was destroyed by 220 pounds (one tenth of one ton) of Chinese missile equipment, thereby changing navel warfare forever? No kidding! The “United States Army Ship Arrowhead” a littoral combat vessel and assuming the “Theater support Vessel” role in the war on Yemen was hit simultaneously with 4 Chinese made “Red Arrow-7” antitank missiles fired from the shoreline. These systems weigh a mere 55 pounds including the 25 pound missile and all the launching and targeting gear. The ship cost 100 Million, and that isn’t counting the value of the crew nor the troops and weapons/ammo it was carrying. And believe you me, Navel Warfare has just changed forever. (These 55 pound systems now have a range of some 5 to 7 miles, and can be mounted on absolutely any kind of watercraft, from jet ski to vinyl inflatable raft.)
I’ve seen the youtube and some pics of the aftermath was posted on Southfront …. at least I think that’s where I saw them. Looked like a direct hit on the bridge…totally gutted the ship….100% write off. From the original video I was amazed at the speed the fire spread. I sure wouldn’t want to be a sailor headed to any conflict zone right now.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFEt_KWWJcw
Thanks, hadn’t heard that commentary . The vid I saw had no commentary, but was 4 X longer/more visual content
it is actually called an ‘aircraft carrying heavy missile cruiser’. it is probably loaded with numerous cruise missiles. plus they are planning to haul several ka-52 attack choppers to syria with it. i am sure there is a specific plan for this trip.
the missiles it carries are anti-ship, not the Kalibr variety. Unless it’s been modified for that, which I doubt as the Granit ASMs it’s built around are a very important resource to the Russian Navy.