Courtesy the Ron Unz Internet web site we have a Russian [?] appreciation of the status, the Russian aircraft carrier Kuznetsov.
"Is There a Future for Russian Aircraft Carriers?"
"Is there a future for Russian aircraft carriers?"
"Those following the news from Russia have probably heard that Russia’s only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov . . . was put into dry dock for major repairs and retrofits. Things did not go well. First, the dry dock sank (it was Russia’s biggest) and then a huge crane came crashing down on the deck. And just to make it even worse, a fire broke out on the ship killing 2 and injuring more. With each setback, many observers questioned the wisdom of pouring huge sums of money into additional repairs when just the scheduled ones would cost a lot of money and take a lot of time."
"Actually, the damage from the fire was not as bad as expected. The damage from the crane was, well, manageable. But the loss of the only huge floating dry dock is a real issue: the Kuznetsov cannot be repaired elsewhere and these docks cost a fortune."
APPARENTLY TO THE SAKER THE KUZNETSOV A GONER. NOT GOING TO BE REPAIRED OR SET TO SEA AGAIN.
And as to the future of Russian aircraft carriers, The Saker doubts subsequent vessels of the same type of warship as the Kuznetsov will ever be built.
A PRIMARY REASON BEING: 1. THE LACK OF AEW AIRCRAFT. AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING. PLUS: 2. A LACK OF SATISFACTORY AIR DEFENSE WEAPONRY TO COMBAT THE MODERN ANTI-SHIP MISSILE.
Read the whole thing. The Saker a Russian? Apparently so but I am not sure.
coolbert.