Future of the Russian Navy
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union at the end of 1991, the Russian Navy struggled to adjust Cold War force structures while suffering severely with insufficient maintenance and a lack of funding. However, improvements in the Russian economy over the first decade of the twenty-first century led to a significant rise in defence expenditure and an increase in the number of ships under construction (with a focus on blue-water vessels).[1]
An extensive rearmament program was implemented after 2011, with the Russian Defence Ministry expected to procure 100 warships by 2020.[2] In early 2013 it was reported that the navy was to receive 54 new warships of various classes plus 24 submarines by 2020.[citation needed] A report by the US Navy's Office of Naval Intelligence issued in December 2015 provided descriptions and timelines for the construction of a modern 21st century Russian Navy.[3]
Some of these plans were modified over the course of the decade with delays pushing back the procurement of major surface combatants. During the 2010s, the focus shifted to several new classes of lighter units (corvettes) as well as on the procurement of several classes of new nuclear and conventionally-powered submarines. In addition, the new Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates have begun to enter service and the large Priboy-class helicopter assault ships have also started construction. These programs are expected to continue through the 2020s and, depending on available funding, projects to acquire larger frigates (the Super-Gorshkov - Project 22350M) and destroyers/cruisers (Lider-class destroyer) may also be initiated. However, until the arrival of such heavier units, older classes of Soviet-era cruisers and destroyers are being modernized.
The economic and financial fallout from the
Likely even more significant is the impact of sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation after
On 31 July 2022 during Russian Navy Day, Vladimir Putin approved a new maritime doctrine for Russia. The new doctrine suggests an increased state focus on the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route, as well as an increased naval presence in the Mediterranean and Red Seas, both using already-established bases and establishing new bases on other territories in the area. Plans for the development of shipbuilding industries in Crimea were also mentioned, as well as the development of new LNG terminals and shipbuilding industries in the Far East. With the US and Allies identified as the major maritime threat, cooperation with India and Middle Eastern allies was also emphasised, as well as the necessity for increased foreign port visits by Russian Navy vessels.[7] In 2023, the Russian Navy received 3 submarines, 7 surface ships (including a modernized one), 33 multipurpose, raid and support vessels, 11 aircraft and helicopters, and also over 7,700 cruise, anti-ship and anti-submarine missiles.[8]
Surface combatants
Future aircraft carriers
Russian President
Speaking in
In February 2015, Russian media said that the Krylov State Research Center in St. Petersburg was on its way towards developing another aircraft carrier. The design was under conceptual testing in Krylov's laboratory.[11] There was no announcement of what shipyard would be able to build the carrier. One super-carrier project has been code-named Project 23000E or "Shtorm".[12] As of 2020, the project had not yet been approved and, given the financial costs, it was unclear whether it would be made a priority over other elements of Russian naval modernization.[13]
In July 2021, the Director General of United Shipbuilding Corporation Alexey Rakhmanov stated that best suited for the construction of new aircraft carrier in Russia is Sevmash.[14]
In December 2021, a First Vice-chairman of Military-Industrial Commission of Russia Andrey Yelchaninov[15] stated in an interview that the construction of a new aircraft carrier is being considered for the new State Armament Program for 2024–2033. Work is currently underway to assess the financial and technological risks in the construction of such a ship.[16]
In the new naval doctrine approved on 31 July 2022, the development of new modern shipbuilding facilities in the Far East was mentioned, particularly for the construction of large vessels such as aircraft carriers.[7]
In an interview on 15 August 2022, the head of United Shipbuilding Corporation Alexei Rakhmanov stated that the company is ready to build any large warship, including aircraft carriers, after the modernisation of Severnaya Verf is completed. He also confirmed that if the construction of a new aircraft carrier is approved, the majority of the work will be done at Severnaya Verf.[6]
Destroyers
In 2014 it was reported that the specification had been signed off for a new anti-air destroyer. Twelve ships of the 19,000 tonne Lider class are planned to enter service, split between the Northern and Pacific Fleets. Undecided whether versions will use nuclear or conventional power but they will carry the ABM-capable
Initial reporting said that these ships would enter service in 2023–2025. In January 2018 however it was reported that detailed design phase will start after 2020 and construction in 2025.[18] On 18 April 2020 Russian newspaper Interfax reported that the Severnoye Design Bureau had suspended development on the Lider.[19] However, in June Alexei Rakhmanov, head of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, reported that the Lider project was still moving forward.[20]
In an interview on 15 August 2022, the head of United Shipbuilding Corporation Alexei Rakhmanov stated that the Lider-class destroyer project has not been abandoned, however, he also stated that the Russian Ministry of Defence will only approve one project for large ocean-going warships. The Russian MoD currently favours the Project 22350M Super-Gorshkov frigate, and therefore it is unlikely that the Lider-class destroyer project will be approved for construction.[6]
Frigates
Corvettes
With respect to corvettes/large patrol ships, as of 2021 six separate classes were in production to replace Soviet-era vessels. They ranged in size from the small 800-860-ton Karakurt class (Project 22800) up to the 3,400-ton Project 20386 corvette/light frigate. The first of the 2,500-ton Gremyashchiy class (Project 20385) entered service in December 2020.[25] Corvette classes in production as of 2020 include:
- Project 22800 Karakurt-class corvette (800-860 tons)
- Project 21630/31 Buyan-class corvette - Buyan-M (Project 21631-variant - 950 tons)
- Project 22160 Vasily Bykov-class corvette/offshore patrol ship (1,700 tons)
- Project 20380 Steregushchiy-class corvette/light frigate (2,200 tons)
- Project 20385 Gremyashchiy-class corvette/light frigate (2,500 tons)
- Project 20386 Derzky-class corvette/light frigate (3,400 tons)
Submarines
The State Armament Program 2011–2020 was expected to build and deliver up to 24 submarines (both nuclear and conventional) to the Russian Navy.[26]
Borei SSBN
Before 2012 there were only about ten nuclear submarine patrols a year, each lasting three months at most and usually a lot less.[27]
However, in that same year the first unit of the Borei-class ballistic missile submarine entered service. Three Borei-class boats were initially built. The lead boat, Yuriy Dolgorukiy, was launched in April 2007, began sea trials in June 2009 and was commissioned as a part of the Northern Fleet in 2012.[28][29] The second boat, Aleksandr Nevskiy was scheduled to be delivered to the Pacific Fleet in 2012.[30] The third was named Vladimir Monomakh. The Yuriy Dolgorukiy is operational with the Northern Fleet, while the Aleksandr Nevskiy and Vladimir Monomakh serve in the Pacific Fleet. A fourth unit, Knyaz Vladimir, to a modified Borei-A design, was laid down in 2012. Six more units to this modified design were subsequently ordered, the Kynaz Oleg and Generalissimus Suvorov being laid down in 2014, two more in 2015 and 2016, and another two in 2021. The mainstay of the SSBN force, the Delta IVs, joined the fleet during 1985–91. While the service life of an SSBN normally is twenty to twenty-five years, without maintenance, it may be as short as ten to fifteen years.[31] As of the end of 2022, there are six units in active service and an additional four units under construction. Two further boats were planned to start construction in 2023 and be in service by the early 2030s.[32]
Yasen SSN
12
As of August 2022 the Severodvinsk, Kazan and Novosibirsk are operational, Krasnoyarsk began sea trials in June 2022, and five more units are under construction.
Kilo
Following on from the success of the Kilo-class submarines, improved design Project 636.3 units are being built for the Russian Navy. Six
In an interview on 15 August 2022, the head of
Lada and Amur
The Lada-class submarine (Project 677) began construction in the latter 1990s. The class experienced significant problems and delays, resulting in a halt to series production and a redesign of the vessels. Series production resumed in the mid-2010s and as of 2022 the first unit is in service, the second on sea trials and four more vessels are under construction or ordered. In 2023, the lead (prototype) unit was decommissioned owing to several years of developmental problems which appear never to have been successfully rectified.[35]
On 18 May 2013 Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Viktor Chirkov announced that the Lada-class would receive an air-independent propulsion system by 2016–2017. However, in 2019, Alexander Buzakov, the head of the Admiralty Shipyard, indicated that there were no plans to equip the Lada class with an air-independent propulsion system.[36] The Amur class is advertised as an export version of the Lada class.
Haski (Husky)
The Laika class, Russian designation Project 545 Laika (Russian: Лайка),[37] also referred to as Husky class (Russian: Хаски, lit. 'husky'),[38] are series of nuclear-powered fifth-generation multi-purpose submarines currently under development by Malakhit Marine Engineering Bureau for the Russian Navy.[39][40]
In an interview on 15 August 2022, the head of United Shipbuilding Corporation Alexei Rakhmanov confirmed that the development of fifth-generation submarines is continuing according to schedule. It is unknown if he was referring to the Laika-class submarine, or an as-of-yet (August 2022) unannounced project.[6]
Khabarovsk (Project 09851)
The Khabarovsk class is a new submarine class based on the Borei class but with missile tubes removed. To be armed with Status-6 Oceanic Multipurpose System.[41]
Belgorod Special Operations Submarine
Belgorod was delivered to the Russian Navy in July 2022 but is expected to remain in an "experimental role" with the Northern Fleet for an indefinite period before transferring to the Pacific Fleet.[42] She is a derivative of the Oscar-class submarine reportedly designed as a combination special operations and strategic weapons submarine. She is planned to act as a mothership for smaller special operations submarines as well as being armed with six Status-6 Oceanic Multipurpose System weapons.[43][44]
Amphibious vessels
Amphibious assault ships
In June 2017, the construction of two future amphibious assault ships for the Russian Navy was included in the Russia's new state armament programme for 2018–2025.[45] The cost for one ship is to be about 40 billion RUB ($675 million).[46]
In January 2018, it was reported the construction of the ships would take place at the
Mine-countermeasure vessels
Up to thirty Alexandrit-class minesweepers are planned by 2035. As of 2020, four are active and additional units are under construction or ordered. In January 2018 Deputy Chief of the Naval Shipbuilding Directorate Captain Mikhail Krasnopeyev said that the Russian Navy is planning to acquire 10 new Alexandrit-class (Project 12700) minesweepers by 2027 and 30 by 2035.[49] In 2019, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral Vladimir Korolyov, significantly enhanced that objective stating that the aim was to have 40 Alexandrit-class mine warfare vessels in service by 2030.[50]
Minor surface combatants
Auxiliary ships
A new ship class to replace the Ob-class hospital ships can be constructed at Severnaya Verf or Baltic Shipyard.[14]
In the new naval doctrine approved on 31 July 2022, the necessity to construction new modern fully-armed hospital ships was mentioned.[7]
See also
- List of active Russian Navy ships
- Russian Armed Forces
- Future of the United States Navy
- Future of the Royal Navy
- Future of the French Navy
- Future of the Spanish Navy
- Future of the Royal Australian Navy
- Future of the Brazilian Navy
- Future of the Indian Navy
- Future of the Royal Netherlands Navy
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