Russia's Military Modernizes

Pointblank said:

I don't think the Russians are even allowed to have a carrier pass through the Bosporus Strait... they get around this with the old Kiev and Kuznetsov carriers by calling them aviation cruisers to get around this restriction.

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Kuznetsov Deploys
The aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov departed from its Northern Fleet base in mid-December, bound for a three-month deployment in the Mediterranean, in support of the implementation force in Bosnia. Initially accompanying her were the new Sovremenny-class destroyer Besstrashny ("Fearless") and the Boris Chilikin-class replenishment ship Dnestr. On 31 January, the force rendezvoused off the southern tip of England with the Krivak I-class frigate Pilkii ("Ardent") and the Olekma-class replenishment tanker Olekma; the combined force then proceeded through the Straits of Gibraltar. This represents the first major Russian naval deployment to the Mediterranean since 1993. Correction: this rendezvous was made on 31 December 1995, not 31 January.

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..4.01.1996 crossed Gibraltar. 7 -17.01.1996 stay in Tunisia, repairs. Visited by CINC of US 6 Fl. 28.01-2.02.1996 visited Syria. 17-18.02.1996 visited La-Valetta (Malta).

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On 23 November 1999 Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced to the Russian Security Council that Russian Navy operations would soon extend beyond their previouly limited boundaries. Areas mentioned in his speech as having strategic significance for Russia were the Baltic Sea and regions to the south of Russia. Putin stated that additional funds would be provided for deployment by November 2000 in the Mediterranean of Russia's sole aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, a destroyer, a frigate, one tanker, and nuclear-powered submarines carrying SLBMs. The Tartus base in Syria, first used for Russia's Mediterranean squadron in 1983, was also to be reactivated.

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BLUEJACKET said:

The Kuznetsov transited Gibraltar with no problem- but I don't think they'll forward deploy a carrier in the Med.

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They may forward deploy other ships, aircraft, marines and submarines- as was the case

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.

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BLUEJACKET said:

It's an international strait!

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If they block it, there will be confrontation, and the Russians will help Spain to take The Rock back!

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Actually, there may not even the a need for them to send a carrier: additional Oscars, Akulas, Kilos, Amurs, and follow on classes plus previously (before the crisis) deployed long-range fighters/bombers will do the job!

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The Kuznetsov transited Gibraltar with no problem- but I don't think they'll forward deploy a carrier in the Med.

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The Kursk, the newest of 11 Oscar II-class attack submarines in the Russian fleet, has been of particular interest to the U.S. Navy. Late last summer, the Kursk slipped into the Mediterranean Sea and shadowed a U.S. carrier battle group - the first time in at least two years that a Russian sub had been in the Mediterranean.
The skipper of the Kursk received a special award for last summer's mission in the Mediterranean, according to a Pentagon official who discussed the matter Friday on condition of anonymity.
In testimony before Congress in October, Vice Adm. Daniel J. Murphy Jr., commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet based in the Mediterranean, described that mission as ''inconvenient'' for U.S. forces. He said nine Navy P-3C Orion electronic surveillance aircraft were diverted from missions over Kosovo to search for the Russian submarine, which he described as having the ''very best technology.''
The Oscar II-class submarines were designed to stalk U.S. carrier battle groups and, in time of war, attack with nuclear cruise missiles.

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Absolutely. But as more funds are given to the military the Russian navy will start showing the St.Andrew flag again. This doesn't mean that Kuznetsov's presence is essential in the Med.- when 1 Oscar (the infamous Kursk) shadowed US CBG there along with AGI Liman, the USN had to keep a close eye on it!

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Vlad Plasmius said:

Russia has been making some subtle moves to assert itself on the international field. They've signed some agreements with Algeria and there's even going to be a meeting on forming a natural gas body, similar to OPEC. Russia is trying to assert itself as the world's dominant energy provider, it seems to me, so they may consider a strong navy essential to protecting their source of income and of course, to counter the U.S. and China.

Russia is planning on moving its Black Sea Fleet to a port in Syria, projecting Russian naval power into the Mediterranean. I wouldn't be surprised if their first new carrier gets put there. Though, they may put in the Pacific.

As far as affording it, Russia currently has $300 billion of foreign cash reserves and while their funds from China sales are dropping slightly, it is increasing in several other countries.

Over the last few years Russia's budget has increased by about 25% each year. Their economy has also been growing by about 6.5% each year. With Russia becoming very assertive on the international energy market from gas to oil to nuclear and even to nickel, as well as efforts with the commercial aircraft industry all of these this will bring more money to government coffers.

In fact, I wouldn't be too surprised if Russia ended up spending more than what this plan calls for on new purchases.

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