Moscow, July 18 - Russia’s naval ambitions have taken a dramatic turn as reports indicate the country is preparing to decommission its sole aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, a vessel that has long symbolized both the aspirations and challenges of the Russian Navy. Commissioned in 1991, the Kuznetsov, a Soviet-era Project 11435 heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser, has been plagued by a series of mechanical failures, accidents, and prolonged repair efforts that have rendered it largely inoperable. According to Russian state media, repair and modernization work on the carrier, ongoing since 2017, has been suspended, and discussions between the Russian Navy’s High Command and the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) are now focused on whether to officially retire and scrap the vessel. The decision, if finalized, would mark a historic shift, leaving Russia as the only permanent member of the United Nations Security Council without an operational aircraft carrier.
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The Admiral Kuznetsov’s troubled history is well-documented. Designed to project Soviet naval power during the Cold War, the carrier was intended to lead a class of vessels, with its sister ship, Varyag, later becoming China’s first aircraft carrier, Liaoning. However, the Kuznetsov has been beset by chronic issues, including boiler problems, frequent fires, and a sinking dry dock in 2018 that caused significant damage. Its only combat deployment, to Syria in 2016, was marred by the loss of several deck-based aircraft due to technical failures, and the ship has not sailed since March 2017. The carrier’s reliance on mazut, a heavy fuel that produces thick black smoke when not properly preheated, has made it a visible symbol of Russia’s aging naval infrastructure. Former Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Sergei Avakyants has publicly stated that the Kuznetsov is an “expensive and ineffective naval weapon,” arguing that the future of naval warfare lies with robotic systems and unmanned aircraft. This sentiment reflects a broader acknowledgment within Russian military circles that the carrier, now nearly 40 years old, is both morally and technologically obsolete.
Amid the potential scrapping of the Kuznetsov, speculation has emerged about Russia’s future naval strategy. Reports suggest that Russia may be exploring the development of smaller, more modern aircraft carriers, potentially equipped with advanced fighters such as China’s J-35A stealth jet or Russia’s own Su-75 Checkmate. The J-35A, a carrier-based variant of China’s FC-31 stealth fighter, represents a cutting-edge option that could enhance Russia’s naval airpower, particularly if paired with smaller, more cost-effective “mini carriers.” These smaller flattops would align with modern naval trends, where flexibility and advanced technology, such as unmanned systems, are prioritized over large, traditional carriers. However, no official plans for new carrier construction have been confirmed, and Russia’s focus on the war in Ukraine has shifted budgetary priorities toward land and air forces, further complicating naval modernization efforts.
The potential decommissioning of the Admiral Kuznetsov underscores a significant decline in Russia’s carrier aviation capabilities. While countries like the United States, China, and India continue to invest in advanced carrier fleets with stealth aircraft and integrated drone systems, Russia’s naval strategy appears to be pivoting toward submarines and missile technology. The scrapping of the Kuznetsov would not only mark the end of an era for Russia’s navy but also highlight the growing technological and strategic divide between Russia and other global naval powers. As the Russian Navy grapples with these challenges, the prospect of new mini carriers equipped with advanced fighters like the J-35A offers a glimpse of a potential, albeit uncertain, path forward for Moscow’s maritime ambitions.