Fate of Russia's Admiral Kuznetsov Aircraft Carrier in Doubt

Russia's lone aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, which has been in service for over four decades, may soon face the prospect of being sold or scrapped, according to comments made by Andrei Kostin, the chairman of the country’s state shipbuilding corporation. These remarks come in light of a report indicating that the lengthy refit and maintenance process for the aircraft carrier has been halted.

Originally launched in 1985 during the Soviet era, the Admiral Kuznetsov has participated in military operations, notably in Syria, where it supported the regime of Bashar al-Assad through airstrikes against opposition forces. However, the vessel has not been active in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and has been non-operational since 2017 while undergoing modernization in Murmansk, near the base of Russia's Northern Fleet. Unfortunately, its overhaul has encountered multiple accidents and delays.

While discussing the future of the Admiral Kuznetsov during a recent event in northwestern Russia, Kostin acknowledged that a conclusive decision is yet to be made but indicated that investing further resources into the carrier is unjustifiable. He stated that with its extensive age and high repair costs, it appears impractical to continue supporting the antiquated vessel, suggesting it may ultimately be sold or disposed of.

There is a division of opinion among Russian naval veterans and experts regarding whether the aircraft carrier should be scrapped. Some argue that the ship has become outdated, while others contend that it, or a potential successor, could still fulfill necessary operational roles for Russia's navy. The Admiral Kuznetsov has also gained an infamous reputation, particularly in Britain, where it was termed the "ship of shame" by former Defense Secretary Michael Fallon due to its visible emissions during a transit near the English coastline.