The End of an Era: Why Russia is Abandoning Aircraft Carriers
Moscow is preparing to decommission its only aircraft carrier,the Admiral Kuznetsov,marking a significant shift in Russian naval strategy. The decision follows a history of operational difficulties, costly repairs, and a reassessment of Russia’s strategic needs.
The kuznetsov’s recent performance has been plagued with problems. In 2016, two Russian aircraft - a MiG-29K and a Su-33 – crashed during operations off the Syrian coast due to cable failures, forcing Russia to conduct the remainder of its air missions from land. These accidents resulted in losses estimated at tens of millions of euros. A subsequent modernization effort launched in 2017 aimed to extend the ship’s lifespan, but was marred by further setbacks including fires and the sinking of a floating dock used for repairs. The cumulative costs of these repairs exceeded 100 billion rubles – roughly a third of the price of a new aircraft carrier.
However, the decision to retire the Kuznetsov isn’t solely based on practical failures. Experts like Yves Boyer point to a essential mismatch between aircraft carrier technology and Russia’s geopolitical realities. While the United States boasts 11 nuclear-powered carriers, and China has three, russia’s needs are different. As a largely continental power with over 20,000 kilometers of land borders shared with 14 nations, russia prioritizes protecting its extensive coastline, internal seas, and land-based bases.
“The United States is an island continent, so Americans need a strong navy. The Chinese have a very large maritime frontage. Conversely, Russia is a continental power which has little access to the sea. Aircraft carriers are therefore not a priority,” explains Boyer.
Russia’s naval strategy focuses on nuclear submarines, which provide a robust strategic deterrent and strike capability without the vulnerabilities associated with aircraft carriers. While acknowledging the carrier’s potential as a “military-diplomatic tool,” Boyer notes that Russia,unlike France,lacks overseas territories requiring carrier-based power projection.
Despite a previous plan to build a new aircraft carrier – the “Storm” project – Russia abandoned the initiative in 2020 due to resource constraints. Currently, russia’s naval strength pales in comparison to global powers; France possesses a single nuclear-powered carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, with a next-generation replacement already in development.
Looking ahead, Russia is focusing on bolstering its defenses in strategically sensitive areas, especially its northern flank. Global warming is opening up new vulnerabilities in the region, prompting the US to conduct simulated raids.Russia is responding by consolidating and expanding bases, and deploying fighter aircraft to intercept potential threats.
Ultimately, the decommissioning of the Admiral Kuznetsov represents a pragmatic decision driven by cost, operational challenges, and a clear understanding of Russia’s core strategic priorities. While the carrier may represent a symbol of naval power, as Boyer concludes, ”the symbol is very pretty, but when it costs billions, ther are other priorities.”
