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| Russian aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" (Picture I) |
Kimmo Huosionmaa
Some people always, ask why Russian navy has only one aircraft carrier? The reason for that is simple: the war in Europe means that the prime mission of Russian navy is to cut NATO's convoy and support lines to Europe. And this means that Russians have more need for submarines, what can shoot high-speed cruise- and ballistic missiles to the targets. The mission of those submarines is also destroyed NATO surface battle units like carrier groups.
The reason why Russians have the aircraft carrier, what have effective missiles what can be used with or without aircraft, is the question, what many people always ask. The Admiral Kuznetsov, what is the name for Russian only aircraft carrier have P-700 "Granit" (SS-N-19 "Shipwreck") missiles on board, and it has about 41 for use aircraft in operations. The reason for that is, the aircraft carrier would be meant for use in anti-terrorist operations. In those operations would need to replace the aircraft of that carrier with helicopters, and in that case, must the ship have own weapons to protect itself and give it the capacity to attack against other ships and coastal targets. And if that aircraft carrier uses only helicopters, could the enemy disturb it, if that ship doesn't have own missiles for giving trustworthiness for that ship.
Russians might want to use the aircraft carrier as the supporting large-scale helicopter missions and temporary airbase for Sukhoi Su-33, what is a carrier-based version of Sukhoi Su-27. And of course, that aircraft carrier can operate Sukhoi Su-25 "Frogfoot" STOL (Short Take-Off and Land) assault planes, what allows those flight crews possibility to take a rest in safe place. In large scale helicopter operations, Russian fleet would be evacuated Russian citizens from the conflict area or try to destroy NATO's submarines.
The aircraft of aircraft carrier needed for secure that mission. Also, special forces like Naval Infantry and VDV can get tactical air support from that carrier, and in Syria, some classified weapons like satellite-guided weapons might be stored in that carrier, because they are not allowed to get to hands of enemies. That could be the reason, why Russians don't produce their own NATO-style carriers, what have only airplanes to operate. Russian aircraft carrier uses also Anti-ship missiles, and that carrier is actually capable of ground targets by using its own missiles.
Russian navy can operate very effective by using strategic bombers like TU-22M or TU-26 "Backfires" and submarines against those surface battle units, and the helicopters are needed for rescue the crews of those bombers in the case that some of them would shoot down by enemy fighters. And those helicopters would need also support from the fighters. That's why Russian navy have not the similar aircraft carriers what are used in U.S Navy.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_aircraft_carrier_Admiral_Kuznetsov
http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/09/13/can-putins-aircraft-carrier-stay-afloat-on-its-syria-mission/
Picture I
https://cdnit2.img.sputniknews.com/images/585/90/5859025.jpg
https://avoimenkoodinmaailma.blogspot.fi/p/why-russian-navy-has-only-one-aircraft.html
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