Here’s What You Need to Remember: It is unclear if the Admiral Kuznetsov still carries its formidable ωεɑρσռs belowdecks, as removing them would free up valuable space below for additional aircraft. Still, it’s something that nobody would likely put to the test: in addition to conventional high explosive warheads, the P-700 can also be equipped with nuclear ωεɑρσռs. Russia’s only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, is perhaps best known for the myriad misfortunes and problems to have befallen the Soviet behemoth, leading some to call it a sort of cursed ship — and for good reason.
The Admiral Kuznetsov was commissioned by the Soviet Navy in 1991 and is currently the only aircraft carrier in service with the Russian Navy. It has been involved in several deployments, including combat operations in the Syrian Civil War. The ship has suffered from multiple breakdowns and technical problems, such as engine failures and fires, which have affected its operational capabilities.
It’s worth noting that naval operations involving aircraft carriers are complex and demanding, and technical difficulties can arise with any ship, including those from other nations. The Admiral Kuznetsov has undergone repairs and modernization efforts to address some of its issues, and the Russian Navy continues to utilize it as part of its fleet.
As with any military asset, the assessment of a ship’s performance and reliability can vary depending on different perspectives and experiences. It’s always recommended to refer to reliable sources and news outlets for the most up-to-date information on the Admiral Kuznetsov or any other naval vessel.
Admiral Kuznetsov: A Troubled History
In 2017, Admiral Kuznetsov made a combat deployment to Syria. En route to the Middle East, the large carrier transitioned through the English Channel, where it was seen spewing out thick black smoke from its smokestack. Some suggested that the carrier would be more of a threat to the environment than to enemy combatants. A year later, the Admiral Kuznetsov suffered damage to its hull, when the dry dock it was berthed in sank to the ocean floor. During the course of the dock sinking, a large crane struck the side of the aircraft carrier, carving a large hole in the Admiral Kuznetsov’s side. The third and so far final mishap came in 2019 when a fire broke out onboard the unlucky Russian ship during maintenance. The damage was estimated at $1-1.5 billion.
Misfortunes aside, one of the other remarkable aspects of the aircraft carrier is its long and rather odd designation as a heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser. A visual comparison of the Admiral Kuznetsov and say, an American supercarrier like the Gerald R. Ford, reveals why: the Russian ship is armed to the teeth. In addition to 24 air defense rotary missile launchers equipped with 8 missiles each, the Admiral Kuznetsov also has six AK-360 rotary cannons that fire 30mm projectiles for point defense and a whopping 8 Kashtan close-in ωεɑρσռ systems. The Admiral Kuznetsov even sports its own anti-torpedo and anti-submarine defenses, rather than having to rely on other supporting ships to defend from underwater threats.
If She Can Sail, She Can Kill
Taken as a whole, these formidable ωεɑρσռ systems would make the Admiral Kuznetsov — unreliable and clunky as it may be — a hard nut to crack. However, these ωεɑρσռs are defensive in nature. The Admiral Kuznetsov’s real secret is its incredibly powerful offensive ωεɑρσռs. The aircraft carrier also packs 12 enormous P-700 Granit anti-ship cruise missiles onboard. These missiles are massive — tipping the scales at 7,000 kilos each, or nearly 15,500 pounds. But despite their size, they’re fast, around Mach 1.6 at low altitude, and possibly as high as Mach 2.5 at higher altitude. In addition, they’re said to be networked together. Launched in a salvo of perhaps four or 8 missiles, one of the P-700s flies higher than the rest and acts as a target designator, able to differentiate targets by value and assigning targets to the other missiles in the swarm. If the targeting missile is destroyed, another P-700 takes its place.
These missiles are of a decidedly offensive nature. But where are they? Surely the Admiral Kuznetsov simply wouldn’t have enough real estate to support aircraft and such a huge amount of ωεɑρσռry on deck? Not so, for the Admiral Kuznetsov’s P-700 missiles are actually buried inside the hull, just below the deck. When launched, the Admiral Kuznetsov’s 12 P-700 missile cell doors pop open, revealing their central location just below the aircraft carrier’s tarmac. It is unclear if the Admiral Kuznetsov still carries its formidable ωεɑρσռs belowdecks, as removing them would free up valuable space below for additional aircraft. Still, it’s something that nobody would likely put to the test: in addition to conventional high explosive warheads, the P-700 can also be equipped with nuclear ωεɑρσռs.
