End of an era: Russia’s only aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov is being prepared for disposal

Russia’s only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, is under threat of being decommissioned. In the face of technical decline and the lack of modern carrier-based aircraft, Russia may find it impractical to modernize it.

This is reported by Russian media.

“Currently, its repair and modernization have been suspended,” anonymous sources cited by the media claim. Now the decision on the future fate of the ship must be made by the Russian Ministry of Defense together with the United Shipbuilding Corporation.

The signals are not very optimistic: “Kuznetsov” is already openly called “morally and physically obsolete,” and the possibility of decommissioning it and sending it for scrap is being seriously discussed.

Even in Russia itself, there are statements that “aircraft carriers are a relic of the past.” Although this opinion seems strange against the background of the active use of aircraft carrier fleets in the United States, China, and other countries.

Among the main technical problems of the ship are its outdated and unreliable power plant, which no longer meets modern requirements. In addition, the Russian Federation does not have a modern carrier-based fighter that could replace the Su-33. As a possible solution, Russian experts mention the purchase of the Chinese J-35, a fifth-generation fighter.

As a reminder, in 2024, the Russian Federal Security Service announced the “prevention of a terrorist attack” on the only Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, in Murmansk. The so-called terrorist attack was allegedly prepared by Ukrainian special services.

As reported, Russian sailors serving on the only aircraft carrier in the Russian army, the Admiral Kuznetsov , were likely sent to the front to fight against Ukraine.

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