Russian Navy sinking

[Robert Harris]

Sunday, 5 January, 2003, 21:08 GMT
Russia's navy faces huge cutbacks

The Russian navy is to scrap one-fifth of its fleet because of a chronic shortage of funds.

Under the proposals, dozens of ships will be decommissioned to free up money to use on the navy's best vessels.

A senior Russian naval officer, Admiral Vladimir Kuroyedov, said the state simply could not afford to maintain its historic fleet.

...a decade or more of chronic under funding means that much of the fleet is now unseaworthy - more of a junkyard, as one analyst put it, than a navy.

More:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2630071.stm

[jamming]

Yeah, they have been having problems and they need to modernize. Is there still conscription in the Navy there? Maybe a smaller leaner meaner Navy is what they need.

[ethics]

Kursk--the Sub not the city, was a big indication

[ShinyTop]

Does anybody know of reliable sites regarding what ships remain in the Russian Navy? They had to share some ships with the Ukraine I believe so I wonder whether they have maintained their surface fleet or sub fleet or what mix they have kept. They have also sold some excellent ships to China if I am not mistaken. Their Sovremenny, Kirov, and Udaloy classes were excellent ships with good mixes of weapons.

[claire]

I haven't checked but Jane'shttp://www.janes.com should have some online magazine with this info

[jamming]

Shiny I will try to get back to you on that I have several articles in "Proceedings" to go through. I know they just started to refund the second of their new aircraft carriers in the construction and they have donnated a lot of time and effort to maintaining their newer ships.

[ShinyTop]

The thing about the Udaloy class was they were excellent ASW ships, close, but not equal to our Spruance class. The Chinese have received at least one of these boats which means our subs in the water between Taiwan and China are more at risk. I would suspect we would be keeping at least one of our new Sea Wolf boats in that area. Of course, a newer diesel electric in that narrow area might be more effective but we quit building them.

[jamming]

The Russians announced that they are cutting their fleet to 80% of its former size. Their Aircraft Carrier Capable Yards are in the Ukraine.

This is a good source for 2001 information I think they will update soon. Also is a Source for the Chinese PLAN (Peoples' Liberation Armys' Navy).
http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/

[Sierra Mike]

Originally posted by ShinyTop
The thing about the Udaloy class was they were excellent ASW ships, close, but not equal to our Spruance class. The Chinese have received at least one of these boats which means our subs in the water between Taiwan and China are more at risk. I would suspect we would be keeping at least one of our new Sea Wolf boats in that area. Of course, a newer diesel electric in that narrow area might be more effective but we quit building them. I ain't worried. The Sovs had mucho difficulty detecting our boats, so the likelihood of the Chinese doing so is roughly akin to Gloria Steinam starting a successful feminist movement in downtown Riyadh.

SM

[ShinyTop]

I would rather be happily surprised that they are as bad as we think they are than be badly surprised that they are as good as we feared.

But our sailors know by now. It is pretty easy to tell when you have been acquired.

[ethics]

The Ukraine port you are alluding to is the <a href="http://www.wws.princeton.edu/~cases/papers/ukraine.html">Black Sea Fleet port</a>.

[Jedi Writer]

Originally posted by Steve Moore
I ain't worried. The Sovs had mucho difficulty detecting our boats, so the likelihood of the Chinese doing so is roughly akin to Gloria Steinam starting a successful feminist movement in downtown Riyadh.

SM LOL!

Last I checked, and its been some years, we had to make a "mistake" for either our Ohio boomers our attack subs to be detected.

[Sierra Mike]

Originally posted by ShinyTop
I would rather be happily surprised that they are as bad as we think they are than be badly surprised that they are as good as we feared.If the Chinese are as good as we "fear," then that means they might be able to get their ships out of their respective harbors. Not betting they'll be able to get them all steered out to the engagement area, however.

SM

[ShinyTop]

Just saw this article (http://www.bellona.no/en/international/russia/navy/northern_fleet/vessels/24645.html) sent to me by a friend. Looks like Russia is ditching its Typhoons, the inspiration for Hunt for Red October.

[ethics]

Don't lament yet, Shiny. They have new classes coming in to the scene. Most of it is top secret.

[ShinyTop]

I guess I am a lousy cold warrior but if the rest of your fleet is sinking it would seem you have more problems than can be solved by commissioning a new boomer or attack boat.

[ethics]

Originally posted by ShinyTop
I guess I am a lousy cold warrior but if the rest of your fleet is sinking it would seem you have more problems than can be solved by commissioning a new boomer or attack boat.

Sorry, it was meant for sarcasm. :)

[ShinyTop]

Stayed up til 3 and was not fully awake. I am not totally without humor. Sorry I missed that. :-)