Posted on Sep 22, 2016
Russia to send its aircraft carrier to eastern Mediterran | Military Times
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MOSCOW — The Russian navy will send its sole aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean as part of Moscow's efforts to reaffirm its influence in Syria and showcase its resurgent military might.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday that the Admiral Kuznetsov will sail to the eastern Mediterranean to join other Russian ships in the area. He didn't specify when the carrier will be deployed, but Russian media have earlier reported that the mission was planned for the fall.
The Soviet-built Admiral Kuznetsov, the only aircraft carrier in the Russian navy, has recently been re-equipped with new Su-33 and MiG-29K fighter jets. It carries about 40 aircraft and is smaller than U.S. aircraft carriers.
The ship is based in Sevoromorsk on the Kola Peninsula and is part of the Russian navy's Northern Fleet.
Russia has waged a year-long military campaign in Syria that has shored up President Bashar Assad and allowed his troops to seize some key ground. Last week, Moscow and Washington brokered a cease-fire in Syria, which is now teetering on the brink of collapse amid renewed fighting and Monday's attack on a humanitarian convoy.
Since Moscow launched its air campaign in Syria on Sept. 30, 2015, the military has used it to test its latest jets and missiles. In a demonstration of its new precision strike capability, Russian strategic bombers, surface ships and a submarine have repeatedly launched cruise missiles at targets in Syria.
By sending the Admiral Kuznetsov to Syria's shores, Russia would significantly beef up its forces there. It would also give the military a chance to test its carrier-born aircraft in combat for the first time.
In 2013, the Russian navy restored a constant presence in the eastern Mediterranean for the first time since the Soviet collapse, using the Soviet-era facility in the Syrian port of Tartus to replenish supplies.
Tartus is the only such facility the Russian military now has outside the former Soviet Union.
Shoigu pointed at the Cold War times, saying that the Soviet navy presence in the eastern Mediterranean helped protect Moscow's interests in the region.
"In 1967, the presence of the 5th squadron in the area helped prevent the escalation of the Arab-Israeli conflict and later served as an important deterrent against unfriendly actions against the Soviet Union," he said.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday that the Admiral Kuznetsov will sail to the eastern Mediterranean to join other Russian ships in the area. He didn't specify when the carrier will be deployed, but Russian media have earlier reported that the mission was planned for the fall.
The Soviet-built Admiral Kuznetsov, the only aircraft carrier in the Russian navy, has recently been re-equipped with new Su-33 and MiG-29K fighter jets. It carries about 40 aircraft and is smaller than U.S. aircraft carriers.
The ship is based in Sevoromorsk on the Kola Peninsula and is part of the Russian navy's Northern Fleet.
Russia has waged a year-long military campaign in Syria that has shored up President Bashar Assad and allowed his troops to seize some key ground. Last week, Moscow and Washington brokered a cease-fire in Syria, which is now teetering on the brink of collapse amid renewed fighting and Monday's attack on a humanitarian convoy.
Since Moscow launched its air campaign in Syria on Sept. 30, 2015, the military has used it to test its latest jets and missiles. In a demonstration of its new precision strike capability, Russian strategic bombers, surface ships and a submarine have repeatedly launched cruise missiles at targets in Syria.
By sending the Admiral Kuznetsov to Syria's shores, Russia would significantly beef up its forces there. It would also give the military a chance to test its carrier-born aircraft in combat for the first time.
In 2013, the Russian navy restored a constant presence in the eastern Mediterranean for the first time since the Soviet collapse, using the Soviet-era facility in the Syrian port of Tartus to replenish supplies.
Tartus is the only such facility the Russian military now has outside the former Soviet Union.
Shoigu pointed at the Cold War times, saying that the Soviet navy presence in the eastern Mediterranean helped protect Moscow's interests in the region.
"In 1967, the presence of the 5th squadron in the area helped prevent the escalation of the Arab-Israeli conflict and later served as an important deterrent against unfriendly actions against the Soviet Union," he said.
Russia to send its aircraft carrier to eastern Mediterran | Military Times
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Edited 8 y ago
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It makes perfect sense for the Russians to bring mobile aircraft capability to bear [pun intended] in the Syrian conflict. This allows them to forward position capability without negating the cease-fire.
The Russians will do what it takes to keep a strategic naval access to the Mediterranean open. The Russians have access to the North Atlantic, the Arctic and the Pacific but unless Turkey allows them to pass through the Bosporus and Dardanelles they will be bottled up in the Black Sea.
The Russians recognize that stabilizing Syria strengthens their relationship with Turkey which they need to be cordial so they have access to the Mediterranean SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL.
US Forces have been in the Middle east for many decades already - Sinai Peace Keeping for ground assets with air assets and naval assets in the region since the 1950s or so. Since that point during the Cold War the USA and the Soviets worked to keep allies in all regions - the Israeli's, Jordanians and Saudis have generally been on our side [Iran was until 1979]
Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya were sometimes on our side and sometimes on the Soviets. Access to the Indian Ocean was important so both the USA and Soviets worked to get Egypt and Ethiopia on their side.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. Capt Seid Waddell CW5 (Join to see) CW5 Charlie Poulton SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT (Join to see) SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT Forrest Stewart SGT Robert Hawks SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright
The Russians will do what it takes to keep a strategic naval access to the Mediterranean open. The Russians have access to the North Atlantic, the Arctic and the Pacific but unless Turkey allows them to pass through the Bosporus and Dardanelles they will be bottled up in the Black Sea.
The Russians recognize that stabilizing Syria strengthens their relationship with Turkey which they need to be cordial so they have access to the Mediterranean SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL.
US Forces have been in the Middle east for many decades already - Sinai Peace Keeping for ground assets with air assets and naval assets in the region since the 1950s or so. Since that point during the Cold War the USA and the Soviets worked to keep allies in all regions - the Israeli's, Jordanians and Saudis have generally been on our side [Iran was until 1979]
Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya were sometimes on our side and sometimes on the Soviets. Access to the Indian Ocean was important so both the USA and Soviets worked to get Egypt and Ethiopia on their side.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. Capt Seid Waddell CW5 (Join to see) CW5 Charlie Poulton SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT (Join to see) SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT Forrest Stewart SGT Robert Hawks SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright
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It will be a historic event as long as it doesn't sink or catch fire. She does not have a very good track record. Might be what we always called "A Love Boat Cruise". In port more than out of port..We did it just because, Russia might do it because they need to keep her afloat...
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