Prepared October 24, 1995.

Index:

1. Aviation cruisers
2. Submarines
3. Major surface combatants
4. Small combatants
5. Naval aviation
6. Total force goals

Aviation Cruisers

• There currently is one aircraft carrier in Russian Navy service, the Admiral Kuznetsov, which finally entered service in 1990. Currently she is engaged in "extended trials" and is not fully combat-ready, as her air wing is still inoperational. That air wing should consist of twenty-four Su-33 "Flanker-D" interceptors and a mix of various helicopters. Recent reports indicate that she will very soon be recommissioned into operational service, with the latest delay coming just before a scheduled 15 September date. (See Current Items.)

• The helicopter-carrier Moskva reportedly remains in service as the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

• Formally, aircraft carriers are the Navy's top priority, although the program appears to be less than robust. The earlier Kiev class CVHs have been taken entirely out of service, with only the Gorshkov remaining as a possible export vessel. Furthermore, the main shipyard for aircraft carriers (Nikolayev South, No.444) now lies within Ukrainian territory. There are rumors that at least one Russian shipyard, possibly Severodvinsk or the Baltic Shipyard, may be converted to allow the servicing of aircraft carriers. A July interview with Admiral Gromov, current CinC of the Russian Navy, indicated that further aircraft carrier construction was not in the shipbuilding program, although the Kuznetsov was to enter service as part of "continuing research into [aircraft carrying cruisers]." Gromov went on to call an American-style aircraft carrier (of the Nimitz variety) "ideal", but noted that "with the current economic situation we would be unable to build such a ship."

• Renewed interest in the Gorshkov by the Indian Navy was reported in August, which came as something of a surprise after an earlier deal fell through when the Indian delegation was less than impressed with the material condition of the ship. The commander of the (Russian) Northern Fleet, however, has announced his vehement opposition to any lease plan.

  Force goal: 1

Submarines

• SSBNs/PLARBs
  The current ballistic missile sub force is composed of Typhoons, Delta IVs, and Delta IIIs, with a scattering of earlier strategic submarines which are being phased out of service (Delta II, Delta I, and Yankee II). Current plans are for a force of between twenty and twenty-seven SSBNs, with the mainstay being the Delta IVs and the Typhoons. Some sources say that the Delta IIIs are to be phased out as well, but it seems unlikely that the force goals can be met entirely by the 6 Typhoons (now out of production) and the 7 Delta IVs. Jane's reports that thirty-nine (39) SSBNs currently remain active in the fleet; in addition to the 6 Typhoons and 7 Delta IVs, there are 8 Delta Is, 4 Delta IIs, and 14 Delta IIIs.

  Force goal: 20-27
  Composition: 6 Typhoons, 7 Delta IVs, ~11 Delta IIIs (projected) Units to be retired include 4 Delta IIs, 14 Delta Is, and 3 Yankee Is.

• SSGNs/PLARKs
  Cruise-missile submarines currently consist of about 11 Oscar I/IIs and at most 3 Yankee-Notch vessels. The Yankee-Notch subs are to be retired, with series production of Oscar II continuing; the twelfth unit is an Oscar II named Kursk, to be commissioned shortly. The target number is to be 15 SSGNs. Primary tasking is with the antiship submarine force.

  Force goal: 15
  Composition: 2 Oscar Is, 13 Oscar IIs. To be retired: 3 Charlie IIs, 3 Charlie Is, 4 Echo IIs, and 1 "Yankee Sidecar" SSGN conversion.

• SSNs/PLAs
  There are roughly 50 front-line nuclear attack submarines in Russian Navy service today, consisting of 8 Akula IIs, 4 Akula Is, 2 Sierras, 26 Victor IIIs, 3 Victor IIs, 2 Victor Is. Series production is to concentrate on the "Akula II" class, eventually bringing the Akulas to 19. The older Victors may be retired. In addition, work has begun on the new fourth-generation Severodvinsk class, which is competitive with the American 688I Improved Los Angeles boats. Already, there have been reports that in-service Akula IIs are indeed quieter than the 688Is. (See Current Items.)

  SSNs will be divided among three taskings, emphasizing their multipurpose nature. The Akulas, when carrying SS-N-21 land-attack cruise missiles, may be grouped with the SSBNs as a strategic asset. Most of the Victor IIIs will go along with the Oscars in the antiship role; the remaining Victor IIIs and the Sierras will be primarily dedicated to the antisubmarine role. It is not clear what Severodvinsk will fall under, but with its flexible missile load it may be the ultimate multipurpose submarine.

  Force goal: ~45-50?
  Composition: ~19 Akulas, 1 Severodvinsk, ~3 Sierras, ~26 Victor IIIs. To be retired: 3 Victor IIs, 2 Victor Is.

• SSs/PLs
  The diesel-attack submarine force will center around the Kilo-class. With 24 Kilos now in Russian Navy service (and series production continuing for the export market), these may be the most numerous submarines in the force. The much older Foxtrots (of which 2 remain in service) are likely to be used as training boats, and are currently divided among the Baltic and Pacific fleets. The Kilos will be organized in four brigades in the antiship role.

  Force goal: ~44?
  Composition: 24 Kilos, 2 Foxtrots, 18 Tangos.

Major Surface Combatants

• Admiral Ushakov(formerly Kirov) class BCGNs
  Changing political circumstances have caused the big Kirov-class battlecruisers to be renamed. As planned, there will be four of these vessels in Russian service, with construction continuing on the fourth and last unit, Petr Velikiy(formerly Yuri Andropov) As of early September, she was preparing for builders' trials. Of the other three, Admiral Ushakov herself is currently inactive at Severomorsk after a 1990 propulsion accident. The other two, Admiral Lazarev (formerly Frunze) and Admiral Nakhimov (formerly Kalinin), are formally in service with the Pacific and Northern Fleets, respectively. However, a recent report described both vessels as "[for] all intents and purposes, laid up." Admiral Lazarev may be retired this year, as she is due for a costly nuclear refueling.

  Force goal: 4

• Slava class CGs
  Of the four planned Slavas, three will remain in Russian Navy service. The fourth, Admiral Lobov, is being completed, most probably for the Russian Navy (see "Current Items.") Originally she was to go to the Ukrainian Navy as its fleet flagship as Vilna Ukraina, but this has changed. The older Slavas will not be discarded but may be temporarily mothballed along with the Ushakovs, depending on their condition.

  Force goal: 3

• Other Cruisers
  All other cruisers are being scrapped. This includes the Karas(5 -- two in the Pacific, one in the Black Sea, one in the Baltic, and one undergoing an extended refit), Krestas(1), and Kyndas(1 in the Black Sea, not expected to last very long). The last of the Kresta class, a Kresta I, reportedly remains in service as the Baltic Fleet flagship; for how long is open to question.

• Sovremennyy class DDGs
  Construction is to continue on the Sovremennyys, with the seventeenth unit, Besstrashnyy, being delivered in 1994. Construction has reportedly already begun on at least three more, although a recent report noted that no new work has been done on these vessels this year. In addition, the 21st unit in the class will incorporate significant design changes (including a vertical launch system) and will possibly be called "Sovremennyy II". At the moment, at least Sovremennyy, Otchayanny, and Otlichnny are reportedly inoperational due to maintenance problems; it is also possible that the three being constructed now have been offered for export. At any rate, these ships, however many there finally turn out to be, are to be organized into four brigades.

  Force goal: 28?

• Udaloy I/II class DDGs
  The exact number of Udaloy I/II destroyers was a little unclear to me; at present, it appears as though there are 12 in total. The force goal had been reported as fourteen (two brigades of seven ships each), roughly 12 Udaloy Is and 2 Udaloy IIs. However, Jane's reports that the follow-on Udaloy IIs have been cancelled and it shall remain a single-ship class. One Udaloy I was retired in 1992 after a shipboard fire (Admiral Zakharov); the single Udaloy II class is Admiral Chebanenko, which had formerly been named Admiral Basisty (not vice-versa, as was previously reported here.) At any rate, any future Udaloys (possibly for the export market) will be of the Udaloy II class, which trades the antisubmarine SS-N-14 missiles for a battery of SS-N-22s and the two 100mm guns for a twin 130mm.

  Force goal: 12-14?

• Kashin class DDGs
  The Kashins currently number 4; three of the original Kashin and one of the modified Kashin design. All are based in the Black Sea and are expected to be retired within a year or two.

  Force goal: 0

• Neustrashimyy class FFs
  There is one Neustrashimyy currently in service with the Baltic Fleet. Two more are building (Nepristupnyy and 300 Let Rossiskomy Flot) and are not expected to enter service until around 1997. However, some observers have indicated that the name of the third unit ("300 years of the Russian Navy") may point to a late 1996 commissioning date. Vessels of this class are to be organized into a single brigade.

  Force goal: 7?

• Krivak class FFs
  Some of these vessels may be modernized and fitted with SS-N-25 missiles. There are roughly 15 Krivak Is, 10 Krivak IIs, and 7 Krivak IIIs in service today. The Krivak Is and IIs are gradually being retired, while some Krivak IIIs are to be retained.

  Force goal: ?

• Grisha class FFLs
  10 Grisha Is, 12 Grisha IIs, 28 Grisha IIIs, and 31 Grisha Vs are currently in service, with all Grisha IIs and 6 Grisha IIIs assigned to the Border Guards. Grisha Vs are being still being built, but by Ukraine.

  Force goal: ?

Small Combatants

• Construction of corvettes and small missile craft continues. The new Gepard class of steel-hulled 1930-ton frigate is being constructed, with at least some for the export market. One is in operational service and two more are building. Other vessels include 12 Parchim IIs, 1 modified Petya I, 3 Petya IIs (with the single example of a modified Petya II scrapped last year), 12 Nanuchka Is, 18 Nanuchka IIIs, 2 Dergachs, 3 Tarantul Is, 17 Tarantul IIs, and 27 Tarantul IIIs (with two more under construction.) At least some of these are being modernized with SS-N-25 "Harpoonski" missiles.

  Force goal:: ?

Naval Aviation

Su-27K/Su-33 Flanker-D                           15-25
Su-25UT Frogfoot                                 59-60
Su-24 Fencer-D                                      65
Su-17 Fitter-C/D                                   130
Yak-141 Freestyle(inoperational)                     1
Tu-16 Badger                                        30
Tu-22 Blinder                                       20
Tu-22M Backfire                                    130
Tu-95 Bear-D                                        20
Tu-142 Bear-J                                       40?
Tu-142 Bear-F                                       15?
Be-12 Mail                                          80
Il-38 May                                           45
Ka-25 Hormone                                       65
Ka-27/29 Helix                                     170
Mi-14PL Haze-A                                      70
Mi-14BT Haze-B                                      35

Total Force Goals, Major Vessel Classes

CVs                                          1
      Kuznetsov                              1

SSBNs                                    20-27
      Typhoon                                6
      Delta IV                               7
      Delta III                             11?

SSGNs                                       15
      Oscar I                                2
      Oscar II                              13

SSNs                                     45-50
      Severodvinsk                           1
      Akula                                 19
      Sierra                                 2
      Victor III                            26


BCGNs                                        4
      Ushakov                                4

CGs                                          4?
      Slava                                  4?

DDGs                                        40
      Sovremennyy                           28?
      Udaloy I/II                           12

FF/FFLs                                      3+
      Neustrashimyy                          3+