The main Russian surface fleet project for the next decade will be Project 22350 Admiral Gorshkov. Specifications 4500t 4000nm range @ 16kt 29kt top speed 30 day endurance crew of 210 Armament 2*8 Yakhont 4*8 9M96 missiles (The is 9M96 one of the missiles the S-400 system uses.) 2*4 Medvedka 2 VLS ASW 2 Sosna CIAD 130mm A-192 Command and Control Redut AA Suite Sensors Poliment K-Radar Puma Fire Control Radar The VLS Shtil-1 will be offered to export customers only. There's no concrete information about the command and control and sensors of Admiral Gorshkov. The Russians want to procure 20 Project 22350 Admiral Gorshkov frigates. If the Russians can fit the 32 9M96 missiles on the frigates,the frigates would be an excellent uses of the Russian Navy's limited resources. The Gorshkov frigates would be AAW/ASW frigates, and they could replace a wide range of vessels. I don't think the Russians have the budget for new carriers and Kirov replacements. The better use of the resources would be replacements for the Slavas.
More on Project 22350- http://www.warfare.ru/?catid=270&linkid=2544 http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/22350.htm http://www.defencetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5587&page=2 IMHO, they could be good escorts to bigger ships, including CV/Ns!
I really doubt it will carry 16 Onyx (let's use this, since Yakhont is a downgraded version), most sources indicate 8.
Most of the russian sources and the most accurate drawings of the class gives 16 Onixs, like this one for examble: http://paralay.com/22350/3503.jpg
Does anybody have details about the modernizations of these to ships? Ochakov (Kara Class Cruiser) Vice Admiral Kulakov (Second Udaloy Class Destroyer)
Ochakov: This article- http://www.nr2.ru/crimea/183017.html- says: "The life-extension work, which is 3 years behind schedule, will keep it in service for 15-20 more years. ..After the overhaul is complete, the ship may become the flagship of the BSF, replacing Moskva." No specifics are given, but "the ship will be able to perform in any area of the World Ocean". Related tread- http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=136415 [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJoEe7Ul6nk"]YouTube - project 1134B (KARA class) "OCHAKOV"[/ame] Vice Admiral Kulakov: Related tread- http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=117677
Apparently, the Russian navy will procure 4 new A-42 amphibious planes by 2013. They are the SAR version of the A-40. The A-42 will besome the Russian Navy's main reconnaissance and ASW aircraft after 2015, and they would replace the Russians fleet of Be-12 Mail and Il-38 May maritime patrol aircraft. Article Link http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080905/116569962.html A-42 pictures http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/a-42-pics.htm
Russia will have a contest for a new carrier-based fighter in 2010 with deliveries for 2016. And the Kuznetsov will remain in service until 2025. The article claims that the decision for the construction of new aircraft carriers has already been made and it's just a matter of time. http://rian.ru/defense_safety/20080906/151028739.html http://rian.ru/defense_safety/20080906/151029272.html
Does that mean that there will be a new fighter design from su/mig/yak competing for the project? or just upgrades of the current planes for the future AC? Also a typhoon been upgraded to carry the Bulava. http://rusnavy.com/news/newsofday/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=5729 I believe the Navy plans to upgrade the remaining 2 Typhoons to carry the bulava and complement the Borei's.
Nevidimka one Typhoon is a test bed for the Bulava. If the missile is successful but the Deltas have to go early, then the testbed, along with two other boats, may be reconfigured to carry the Bulava. However from the looks of it the Bulava is not even ready for a flight test at the moment, while the first Borei (YD) is due to begin sea trials. At this rate there will be plenty of Borei's before there are enough Bulava's to go around.
What seems to be the problem of the Bulava? The Land version Topol is a highly successful missile. if the test bed is successful, the Navy might upgrade the other 2 typhoons to carry the Bulava as well. I believe upgrading what they have right now is cheaper than building newer Borei's. I with the funds available now, the emphasis seems to be on maintaining whatever capable weapon system that they have and complement with newer design's if they are available. The Kirov class seems to follow this ideal.
I have no idea what it's problems are but this is an excellent site in terms of Russian nuclear and space affairs. Bulava has not made nearly enough successful tests to be accepted into service. russianforces.org
One thing i have noticed looking at the armament of the russian navy ships is that the only ships capable of Area air defense seem to be the Slava and Kirov class cruisers with the S-300/S-400 system, all the other ship classes seem to be equiped with at the maximum, local area air defense systems. So, i would suggest that these ships will remain in service, with as many others returned to service as possible, until the Russian Navy can afford to replace them with another platform with similar capabilities.
They're the center pieces for the IADS of the VMF. This is why I'm strongly in favor of seeing a further development of the Kirov class.
Yeas. If you compare the two different VLS system, the one more closer to the bow is for the SAM system based most likely around 9M96 missiles (32 carried) and the one's behind are for much larger missile which cannot be other than Onix. Medvedka (RPK-9) which is sometimes linked to this design is small missile, far smaller than the 9M96 so it wont be launched from VLS which has bigger tubes than the SAM system. And one should note that all the preminary drawings and models of the pr. 2235 only places VLS to the bow, there is no room for additional VLS in other parts of the ship.
The Kutznetsov is going to go to the Mediterranean again. Its heading to Tartus after Syrian leader said he was open for a Russian Navy base there, and wants Missile defence be built in Syria. http://www.barentsobserver.com/russia-sends-aircraft-carrier-to-syria.4502333-58932.html
They could probably go to the Black Sea as well- I don't think there would be any restrictions for them, as it's not a true carrier (official designation-TAKR), and Russia is a Black Sea nation. The writing is on the wall for Ukrainian nationalists!
With the noise in South America about the US 4th Fleet, I wonder what will be said about the Russian Squadron coming down from even a longer way off. Pres Chavez and Russia will have some justification I'm sure. Having a Kirov BCGN in the South Atlantic should turn a few heads. With (3) other ships at least one will be a refueling tanker and I wonder if there will be a SSN in the group. A big concern will be if the BCGN can make it down and back without breaking down. The Med cruise had her within a days steaming to any port, but an Atlantic crossing will see a different story. Good thing they plan to steam down at the tail end of hurricane season.
Actually, even if reactors break down, the auxiliary diesel plant will get BCGN home. Good training for them and a chance to show those long range AD missiles! Perhaps Chavez will ask for S-300!
