Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia’s sole aircraft carrier, has had a tumultuous history of mechanical failures, accidents, and extensive repairs.
Launched in 1985 and commissioned in 1991, the vessel was intended to be the pride of the Soviet Navy, showcasing its naval prowess.
However, the reality is far from this vision, with the carrier spending more time in docks for repairs than at sea.
The fate of the aircraft carrier is uncertain, with many experts confidently believing that the aircraft will never return to service.
A Brief History
The Admiral Kuznetsov was built by the Black Sea Shipyard in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, and was initially named Riga, then Leonid Brezhnev, and later Tbilisi before finally being named after Admiral Nikolai Gerasimovich Kuznetsov.
The carrier was designed to support and defend strategic missile submarines, surface ships, and maritime missile-carrying aircraft of the Russian Navy.
It was equipped with a ski-jump ramp for launching aircraft, a feature that distinguishes it from Western carriers that use catapult systems.
The vessel is categorized by its builders as a “heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser.” Which heavily implies a different role/mission compared to its US counterparts.
Its primary mission being to support and protect other naval assets. The Admiral Kuznetsov also carries an armament of 12 P-700 “Granit” anti-ship missiles.
The primary aircraft on the Admiral Kuznetsov is the Sukhoi Su-33 multi-role fighter. These fighters perform air superiority, fleet defense, and air support missions and can also be used for direct fire support of amphibious assault, reconnaissance and placement of naval mines.
The carrier also houses Kamov Ka-27 and Ka-31 helicopters for anti-submarine for anti-submarine missions as well as search and rescue.
Mechanical Issues and Accidents Abound
From the outset, the Admiral Kuznetsov has been plagued by mechanical issues. Its propulsion system, which relies on mazut, a thick, tar-like fuel, has been a significant source of problems.
The mazut-powered engines are notorious for emitting thick black smoke, a visible sign of the carrier’s outdated technology.
Additionally, the ship has suffered from numerous accidents, including fires and fuel spills. In 2018, a floating drydock sank, causing severe damage to the carrier and killing one worker.
Another fire in December 2019 resulted in the death of at least one worker and injuries to several others.
The Admiral Kuznetsov has been undergoing extensive repairs and modernization since 2017. These efforts have been hampered by a series of setbacks, including the sinking of the floating drydock and the subsequent need to find a suitable replacement.
The ship was eventually moved to a specially built drydock at the Sevmorput Naval Shipyard in Murmansk, where it has remained for several years. The modernization efforts include upgrading the ship’s power plant, installing new missile and artillery systems, and overhauling the deck and aircraft launch systems.
Will the Admiral Kuznetsov Ever Sail Again?
As of early 2025, Admiral Kuznetsov remains in drydock, with no clear timeline for its return to operational status. The ship’s future is uncertain, with experts questioning whether it will ever sail again.
Delays, corruption, and technical challenges have plagued the extensive repairs and modernization efforts. Additionally, the ship’s aging infrastructure and outdated technology raise doubts about its ability to project naval power in the modern era effectively.
Russian military officials have expressed optimism about the carrier’s future despite these challenges. They have stated that Admiral Kuznetsov will be equipped with the latest missile and artillery systems and will serve for another 20 years once the repairs are complete.
However, given the ship’s troubled history and its numerous setbacks, it remains to be seen whether these optimistic projections will come to fruition.
Admiral Kuznetsov’s journey has been fraught with challenges, from mechanical failures and accidents to extensive repairs and modernization efforts.
While Russian military officials remain hopeful about the carrier’s future, the reality is that the ship’s aging infrastructure and outdated technology present significant obstacles to its return to operational status.
Whether Admiral Kuznetsov will ever sail again remains an open question, which will likely depend on the success of ongoing repair and modernization efforts and the ability of the Russian Navy to overcome the numerous challenges it faces.
That New Enemy: Becoming a Symbol of Failure for Russia
All in all, Admiral Kuznetsov stands as a symbol of the difficulties faced by the Russian Navy in maintaining and modernizing its fleet. The carrier’s troubled history serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges involved in operating such a large and sophisticated vessel.
Only time will tell if Admiral Kuznetsov will again take to the seas or if it will remain a monument to naval engineering and maintenance challenges.
In the long run, it may be better for Russia to scrap the ship entirely and build a new aircraft carrier from the ground up.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
