Table of Contents
- Executive Summary
- Introduction
- Russia: The Economic factors
- The Russian Navy: Fleet overview
- Vessel classes in the fleet and numbers
- Russian Navy Strategy and Conclusions
- Appendicies and Citations
Executive Summary
This document serves to provide a basic overview of the Russian economy and also the Russian navy, its assets and status as well as its capabilities and strategies.
The document lists out each active platform with the exception of two major surface units that will return to the fleet in the coming years.
The document gives an account of each unit but not its current fleet assignment, each unit that is considered active must be listed and registered on the Russian shipping index and be capable of making a sea-going deployment.
The document addresses the current geopolitical issues surrounding Russia but does not go into great detail, the document does go into limited detail about current doctrine and deployments.
Please note: The authors has given their recommendation based on facts, figures, and findings it is important to note that the recommendations, opinions, and views written in this document are the author’s own and are not those of any group.
Introduction
Since the collapse of the Soviet union in 1991 the Russian navy has fought to maintain its existence, and it’s a fight they are currently winning.
The Russian navy like most of the economy in the 1990’s was crippled massively by lack of funding, the images of the rusting hulks in the ports still today lead people to believe that this is the current state of the fleet.
The big turning point for the armed forces of Russia as a whole has to be the events of August 2000, the sinking of the Kursk marked an end to starving the Navy and armed forces of funds.
Since this incident the Russian fleet has been working from the bottom up repairing and overhauling its entire practical fleet along with new projects being implemented going forward into the 21st century.
Twenty years has passed since the events of August 2000, back then the Russian navy still Consisted of older soviet equipment heralding from the 1970’s and 1980’s, today new building programs and re investment to the fleet and facilities has seen a lot of these older vessels overhauled modernized and those that couldn’t be upgraded scrapped along with the hulks that littered the ports.
The Russian fleet has shown willingness to adapt and invest in new and revitalised projects as well as new overseas missions and limited collaboration with western countries.
The last decade has shown that the Russian navy is building back up at a fair pace and while a lot of critics would like to believe that the navy is just rusting at its pier the facts and figures show Russia is still a global power.
Naturally of course there still remains problems, like in any country the fight for government funding is very real as well as incidents and accidents that still do happen. The fight for new project funding is currently appropriated based upon the strategic needs of the government, presently the announcement of securing two extra Project 955A Borei class submarines shows that Russia is putting an emphasis once again on submarines.
Other projects like the new carrier remain more concepts and studies rather than full projects, and this is due to the lack of need for a large aircraft carrier this isn’t always due to lack of funding.
We are likely to see the Russian navy grow over the next decade with new projects that will be introduced along with new platforms to enter service. We will also see new facilities for ship maintenance and building, the future for the Russian fleet looks promising but limited as long as the funding remains high.
Russia: The economic factors
Like all the countries that are currently experiencing COVID-19 the Russian economy is extremely likely to head into recession with a 6.6% contraction (A) however, it is forecast in the first Quarter of 2021 that the Russian economy will push into growth of around 2.7% and 3.1% by 2022. (1)
The Russian Economy is a diverse modern economy that ranks 11th largest in terms of GDP, but maintains the 5th position in terms of purchasing parity (2).
The economy is centered around the oil, gas and Petro-chemical industry which makes up the bulk of Russian exports and according to the World bank Russia is considered an energy superpower.
Russia has the largest proven natural gas deposits on the globe as well as over 30% of the worlds natural resources, including precious metals such as gold, silver, copper and uranium.
The Russians use enriched Uranium in their own nuclear projects which consists of civilian and military nuclear reactors as well as maintaining a nuclear stockpile.
The current defence industry is highly advanced with Russia producing highly capable platforms including 5th generation aircraft, as well as extremely advanced missiles for both domestic and export.
The defense industry of Russia ranks 2nd in terms of world exports behind the United States and this position is currently under threat from China and the United Kingdom.
The defense industry currently accounts for around 20% of all manufacturing jobs in Russia (3) and its no surprise that the largest arms exporter is the Kalashnikov group of companies.
The exports and domestic figures speak for themselves, the Russia of 1992 and 2020 are remarkably different (All figures in US Dollar) (4):
GDP Rank: 11th
PPP Rank: 5th
Debt to GDP ratio: 8.4% pre covid-19 forecast to rise to 17.2% post covid-19 (B)
Exports: $393.7bn
Imports: $229.41bn
External Debt: $447.2bn (forecast to rise $660 bn post covid-19)
Foreign Currency Reserves: $568.9m Foreign Exchange reserves: $438.08m Gold Reserves: $130.79m (5)
Total reserves: $517.77bn
Credit ratings by respective credit agencies
Moodies: Baa3 (Stable & Investment grade)
Standard and Poores: BBB / A3 (Stable & investment grade)
Fitch: BBB (Stable & investment grade)
The Russian economy even during the covid-19 crisis is reasonably robust and unlike a lot of the western countries not as heavily debt-laden.
Therefore, it is only reasonable to assume that projects that are currently in build or being considered for the Russian navy will face some delay with larger projects likely to be placed on hold for a short time.
The Russian Navy Fleet Overview
The current Russian naval fleet composition focuses more on submarines than it does surface ships, that said Russia still maintains a large naval force in five fleets, those five fleets are: Northern Fleet, Pacific fleet, Baltic Fleet, Black sea Fleet and Caspian Flotilla, this covers the entire coast line of Russia.
The Two main fleets those of the Northern and Pacific fleets are home to the strategic nuclear submarines, these submarines carry the Russian at sea deterrence and in the last couple of years the Pacific fleet has been receiving the first batch of Project 955 Borei class ballistic missile submarines replacing the now elderly Project 667BDR Delta III.
Other build programs have focused on the replacement and reinforcement of the limited fleets those being the Baltic Black sea and Caspian fleets.
Presently the Black sea fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Igor Osipov consists of 6 submarines and 53 warships the largest being the Project 1164 Slava class cruiser Moskva.
The Black sea fleet is also host to six brand new project 636.3 Kilo class submarines with the original single unit Project 877V Alrosa being moved to the Baltic fleet, this increased the Black sea submarine fleet by five units.
Also to note the Black sea fleet has received three new Admiral Grigorovich class frigates, Three Buyan M corvettes and two project 22160 patrol craft.
Like the Black sea fleet the Caspian flotilla under the command of Admiral Sergey Pinchuk hasn’t been left out, the current fleet comprises of 19 major surface units 8 landing ships and 6 mine warfare ships.
Of these six Buyan (3 Buyan and 3 Buyan M) corvettes and 2 Gepard class corvettes are new additions, in time of conflict these vessels can also reinforce the Black sea fleet, the Caspian Flotilla have also recently fired the Kalbir missile into Syria.
The Baltic fleet under the command of Admiral Alexander Nosatov has a duty to protect the main city of St Petersburg and Russia’s Baltic bastion of Kaliningrad along with its Economic Exclusion Zone and comprises of 53 warships and 3 non nuclear submarines.
The Baltic Fleet has recently been reinforced with four new Steregushcy class corvettes two new Buyan M Corvettes and Two new Karakut Corvettes, unlike the Black Sea Fleet The flag ship is the Sovremenny class destroyer Nastoychivvy.
The Baltic fleet often operates along side the Northern Fleet, and can often be seen far beyond their bases in the Baltic, the Yaroslav Mudryy most recently was deployed to the Gulf of Aden in the campaign to fight Somali pirates along with the Pacific fleets Admiral Tributs.
The Pacific Fleet under the command of Admiral Sergey Avakyants is Russia’s second main fleet it currently comprises of around 50 warships and 23 submarines.
The pacific fleet is responsible for part of Russia’s nuclear deterrent and most recently have been receiving the Borei class submarines to replace their aging Delta III class.
The main Bulk of the surface fleet is made up of the Slava class cruiser Varyag which acts as flagship as well as Udaloy and Sovremenny destroyers.
New additions to the fleet include the new Borei class submarine, modernized Project 949A Oscar II, New project 636.3 Kilo and the steregushcy class corvettes, the Pacific fleet is second funded behind the Northern Fleet.
The Northern fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Alexander Moiseyev currently comprises of around 39 surface ships and 42 submarines, it is the home base for the country’s sole heavy aviation cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, as well as the Nuclear cruiser Peter the Great.
The Northern fleet is mainly a submarine fleet however mainly due to the arctic temperatures and ice in winters, the fleet holds the bulk of Russia’s nuclear ballistic missile submarines including the only active Typhoon class, six delta IV and two Borei class submarines.
The fleet is also increased by the Project 949A Oscar II cruise missile submarines and the Yasen class.
Most of the fleet of submarines are nuclear powered but there are conventional submarines of the Project 877, 636.3 Kilo class and also the Project 677 Lada class in service.
Large surface units consist of the Udaloy and Sovremenny class Destroyers a lone Slava class cruiser and a brand-new Admiral Gorshkov class frigate.
The Northern fleet facilities also consist of repair and maintenance for nuclear submarines located in Sevmash and Severodvinsk.
The northern fleet also usually tests new weapons systems and units prior to acceptance, this role also allows it to have some of the most advanced equipment of all the fleets.
The current facilities in the North do not allow for the Heavy aviation cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov to be dry-docked however there is construction work ongoing to replace two dry docks with one large dry dock thus allowing not only repair and refitting but also building of vessels up to 100,000 tons and in excess of 300 meters in length.
The Northern fleets role is to carry the Russian at sea deterrent while providing protection for these vessels, this is why the fleet also consists of fast attack submarines such as the Sierra and Akula classes, the Fleet has in recent years deployed to Syria, passing through the English channel and Straight of Gibraltar, the Admiral Gorshkov frigate also completed around the world tour.
The Russian navy comprises a mixture of old and new ships and as we are currently witnessing they are rebuilding bottom up starting with Corvettes Frigates and Submarines, the present Lider class destroyer program I hope does not get off the ground and that a more suitable and sensible design prevails to replace both the Udaloy and Sovremenny class.
Other units to note currently being refitted is the Admiral Nakhimov a Kirov class nuclear-powered cruiser, she is due to return to the fleet in 2022, another one to watch is the Admiral Kuznetsov despite the mishaps and problems I believe she will return to the fleet by 2023 and serve another ten to fifteen years.
The current fleet list is substantial and with the current building programs, the Russian fleet is expanding slowly.
| Type | Active | Class Name | Trials | Building | Order | Notes |
| CA | 1 | Aurora | Ceremonial commission | |||
| CV | 0 | Admiral Kuznetsov | Overhauling to be returned 2023 | |||
| CGN | 1 | Kirov | Admiral Nakhimov to rejoin 2022 | |||
| CG | 3 | Slava | ||||
| DDG | 9 | Udaloy | ||||
| DDG | 0 | Kashin | now retired | |||
| DDG | 4 | Sovremenny | 1 to be overhauled | |||
| FFG | 2 | Krivak | 2 others are coast guard vessels | |||
| FFG | 3 | Admiral Grigorovich | 3 | 1 | ||
| FFG | 2 | Neutrashimmy | ||||
| FFG | 2 | Admiral Gorshkov | 1 | 5 | 15 | |
| FFL | 2 | Gerpard | Small Frigate in the Caspian Flotilla | |||
| FS | 11 | Buyan & Buyan M | 1 | 3 | ||
| FS | 20 | Grisha III | ||||
| FS | 12 | Nanuchka III | ||||
| FS | 25 | Trantul III | ||||
| FS | 6 | Parchim | ||||
| FS | 2 | Bora | ||||
| FS | 7 | Steregushichiy | 1 | 6 | 24 | |
| FS | 2 | Karakut | 3 | 7 | 18 | |
| PC | 19 | Grachonk | 3 | 26 | 1 in Coast Guard, 3 on Order | |
| PC | 16 | Pator | 5 | |||
| PC | 2 | Mangant | ||||
| PC | 12 | ICI6M | ||||
| PC | 4 | Shmel | ||||
| MCM | 10 | Natya | 16 Laid Up | |||
| MCM | 24 | Sonya | ||||
| MCM | 4 | Korund | Coastal | |||
| MCM | 2 | Gorya | ||||
| MCM | 7 | Lida | Coastal Only | |||
| MCM | 3 | Alexandrit | 2 | 4 | 40 | |
| LST | 4 | Aligator | ||||
| LST | 15 | Ropucha | ||||
| LPD | 2 | Ivan Gren | 2 | 5 | ||
| LCAC | 2 | Zubr | ||||
| LCA | 12 | Serna | Non Seagoing | |||
| LCV | 5 | Dyugon | ||||
| LCV | 20 | Project 1176 (Akula) | ||||
| LCA | 4 | BK16 | 30 | 50 | ||
| LCA | 4 | BK18 | ||||
| INT | 2 | Moma | ||||
| INT | 2 | Alpinist | ||||
| INT | 7 | Vishnya | ||||
| INT | 1 | Balzam | 2 Laid Up | |||
| INT | 1 | Marshal Nedelin | 1 Laid Up | |||
| INT | 1 | Project 7452 | ||||
| INT | 1 | Yantar | 1 | |||
| SSBN | 1 | Typhoon | TK17 & TK20 Pending Disposal | |||
| SSBN | 1 | Delta III | ||||
| SSBN | 6 | Delta IV | ||||
| SSBN | 4 | Borei | 1 | 3 | 10 | |
| SSGN | Oscar II | 2 converted to Projeect 949AM | ||||
| SSGN | Yasen | |||||
| SSN | 4 | Sierra | ||||
| SSN | 2 | Victor III | ||||
| SSN | 8 | Akula | 3 in Overhaul to rejoin by 2030 | |||
| SSK | 21 | Kilo | 1 | 3 | 10 | |
| SSK | 1 | Lada | 1 | 1 | 12 | Project resumed in 2016 |
| SSAN | 1 | Ex Delta III | ||||
| SSAN | 1 | Ex Delta IV | ||||
| SSAN | 1 | Oscar Mod II | ||||
| SSAN | 1 | Sarov | Combined nuclear/battery mini-submarines | |||
| SS | 2 | Palatus | Repairing | |||
| SSAN | 0 | Losharik | Returning to service 2022 | |||
| AO | 3 | Boris Chelkin | ||||
| AO | 1 | Dora | Mainly storage | |||
| AO | 2 | Uda | ||||
| AO | 1 | Project 6404 | ||||
| AO | 4 | Atlay | ||||
| AO | 3 | Dubna | ||||
| AO | 2 | Kaliningradneft | ||||
| AO | 1 | Akademik | 2 | 6 | ||
| 1 | Project 21180 | Ice Breaker | ||||
| 1 | Vytegralis | Logistical support ship | ||||
| 6 | Muna | Coast Munitions ship | ||||
| 3 | Luza | Missile fuel tanker | ||||
| 2 | Vala | Waste tanker | ||||
| 1 | Amguema | Polar Logistics support vessel | ||||
| 1 | Yunyy Partisan | Logistics ship | ||||
| 1 | Project 1807 | Weapons transport ship | ||||
| 1 | Daugava | Ballistic missile transport ship | ||||
| 2 | Dubyak | Munitions ship | ||||
| 1 | Project 20181 | Munitions ship | ||||
| 1 | Longvinik | Logistics ship | ||||
| 1 | Kommuna | Submarine support vessel | ||||
| 27 | Project 23040 | Ocean Support & Rescue vessel | ||||
| 4 | Project 5360 | Submarine support vessel | ||||
| 1 | Elbrus | 2 | Submarine support vessel | |||
| 1 | Kashtan | Submarine support vessel | ||||
| 1 | Belousov | Submarine support vessel | ||||
| 17 | Pelym | Degaussing Tender | ||||
| 16 | Bereza | Degaussing Tender | ||||
| 3 | Malina | 4 | Submarine Tender | |||
| 2 | Oskol | Light Repair | ||||
| 19 | Project 304 | Light Repair | ||||
| 1 | Project 527 | Salvage tug | ||||
| 3 | Okhteniskiy | Ocean Salvage Tug | ||||
| 3 | Pamir | Ocean Salvage Tug | ||||
| 2 | Project P5757 | Ocean Salvage Tug | ||||
| 16 | Project 745 | Sea Going Tug | ||||
| 1 | Project 745MB | Sea Going Tug | ||||
| 1 | Project 745MBS | Sea Going Tug | ||||
| 10 | Project 714 | Sea Rescue tug | ||||
| 2 | Neftgaz | Sea Rescue tug | ||||
| 3 | Project 712 | Sea Rescue tug | ||||
| 1 | Project 20180 | Ocean Rescue Tug | ||||
| 6 | Project 22870 | Sea Tug | ||||
| 2 | Project 02980 | Sea Tug | ||||
| 2 | Project 90600 | Sea Tug | ||||
| 12 | Project 16609 | Harbour Tug | ||||
| 1 | Project 23470 | Harbour Tug | ||||
| 6 | Plemya | Fire Tug | ||||
| 3 | Project 11982 | Trials Ship | ||||
| 1 | Project 852 | Hydrographic ship | ||||
| 1 | Project 860 | Hydrographic ship | ||||
| 13 | Project 861 | Hydrographic ship | ||||
| 12 | Project 862 | Hydrographic ship | ||||
| 21 | Project 872 | Hydrographic ship | ||||
| 1 | Project 782E | Hydrographic ship | ||||
| 1 | Project V19910 | Hydrographic ship | ||||
| 1 | Project 233701 | Hydrographic ship | ||||
| 1 | Project 20183 | Hydrographic ship | ||||
| 1 | Project 19910 | Hydrographic ship | ||||
| 2 | Project 887 | Training Ship | ||||
| DDG | 2 | Sovremenny | In Reserve can be reactivated | |||
| SSK | 3 | Kilo | In Reserve can be reactivated | |||
| AO | 1 | Boris Chelkin | In Reserve can be reactivated |
The Strategy & Conclusion
The current strategy employs the theory of sea denial, Russia currently has no tangible options to employ a major carrier battle group force to project power beyond her borders for indefinite periods of time like the nations of the USA, UK, France, and China.
The Russian doctrine is also not centred around strike warfare like the other nations indeed technically the Russian navy has never actually operated a fully fledged Aircraft carrier.
The current ship of the fleet which is out of service that can operate fixed wing assets is the heavy aviation cruiser
Admiral Kuznetsov, she has a duel role just like the Kiev’s before her.
The Admiral Kuznetsov is purely designed for the role of fleet air defence using an air wing, in this role she is tasked to protect the fleet against supersonic jets of enemy countries and also any intruding aircraft, the role also comprises of airborne early warning, Search and Rescue and anti submarine based around the KA27 and 31 helicopters, she can also support KA50 Helicopters in support or marines in amphibious warfare.
While western carriers rely solely on the airwing for their offensive capabilities up until recently the Kuznetsov had a
store of 12 P700 Granit (SS-N-19 Shipwreck) anti ship missiles, making her a potent stand-alone platform, it is unlikely that this will be retained for her current refit as the P700 is likely being phased out of service.
Russia is predominantly a submarine navy and large surface units are not always top of the list, the Navy currently has plans to replace the Sovremenny and Udaloy destroyers with a new large multi role nuclear powered destroyer, however it is seen that this will be overly ambitious and in the long term unachievable, but what is clear is that the Surface navy needs new Destroyers however the focus is clearly somewhere else.
The current focus is on Strategic missile submarines the aging Delta IV and Typhoon are being replaced gradually with the new Borei class submarine this gives Russia the status of being the first country to build and deploy the first 4th generation ballistic missile submarines, but this focus is not just limited to the ballistic missile submarines.
New conventional submarines, corvettes and frigates have joined the fleet in recent times especially in the Black sea
fleet which has grown in capability as well as size.
It is clear the strategy going forward in that region is to keep Ukraine out of Crimea and keep countries like Georgia in check while retaining dominance in this area.
The recent additions now make Russia the strongest naval force in the Black sea and given the constraints of the
Montreux convention NATO and other nations are unlikely to challenge this position mainly due to the terms of the treaty but also due to finances.
With the pacific fleet also upgrading their missile submarines from the elderly Delta III to the new Borei plus the additions of new corvettes its clear Russia is increasing the eastern defences as well, this is seen as a response to the current Chinese naval build up.
It is foreseen that the Pacific fleet will take priority over the Northern fleet in the next half of the decade in terms of asset
appropriation in order to counter Chinas rapid build up.
The Baltic fleet will likely retain its numbers, currently the fleet is adequately provisioned for the area it currently
operates in, the Baltic is not a major concern for Russia as the fleet is strong in the area and in some cases stronger than
the navies surrounding them (Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) the Baltic is also highly reinforced by the naval aviation arm which provides long range aviation cover when needed.
Modern ships and submarines will likely filter down into the fleet in the coming years those being of the Gorshkov class frigate and Steregushcy class corvettes as well as newer project 636.3 Kilo class submarines to replace the already aging project 877’s.
The Northern fleet will retain its hub as a testing facility plus repair and modernisation facility in the coming years, the Northern fleet is also likely to be the first to operate the new generation of Destroyers if and when these come on line.
The Northern fleet is tasked with defending the arctic region from foreign aggressor states, the fleet is comprised of the
heaviest assets of any fleet, however these assets are now aging and in need of replacement something the Russian navy is currently doing but very slowly.
The heaviest active surface asset is the Peter the Great a nuclear powered cruiser, she will be replaced by her sister Admiral Nakhimov in 2022 after the Nakhimov returns to sea.
Peter the great will enter mid life overhaul replacing the P700 with the newer P800 missiles once the Admiral Nakhimov returns to service this is likely to extend her life for another 15 years .
The Kuznetsov is currently undergoing major repairs and overhaul again she is scheduled to leave this facility in 2023
giving the fleet air defence once more, her replacement has not been confirmed although several design proposals do
exist but they are just that concepts and proposuls.
The current fleet of Delta IV and a typhoon will be replaced by the new Borei class submarines currently there is to be 5
deployed to the Northern fleet and 5 deployed to the pacific fleet however we may see 6 deployed to the northern and 4 to the pacific depending on the political situation.
The New Yasen class submarines will also deploy to the Northern fleet, one is operational and two are building a total of 10 are planned and will be split between the Northern and Pacific fleets.
The main aim of maintaining such a force in the high north is free access to the oceans, currently all other ports are
constrained to transit choke points making deployment difficult and also in time of war reinforcement impossible.
The northern fleet will retain its status as the main open ocean fleet and will continue to operate the heaviest assets of the navy.
The Northern fleet is also not limited in its operational areas as recently we have seen surface assets deploy to south
America, the Kara sea, the Mediterranean, Indian ocean and also an around the world deployment.
Another key deployment is the civilian nuclear ice breakers this now gives the Russian Northern fleet the capability to transit from the Northern Arctic regions to the Pacific via the bering straight.
The coming decade will be one to watch for the entire Russian navy, a navy that is slowly modernizing and re-equipping, but also one that is re asserting itself on the world stage.
Today the Russian navy maintains its status as a tier 3 blue water force capable of operating beyond its borders for extended periods of time while also being able to resupply the vessels.
Appendices & Citations
- (1) World Bank press release 2020/07/06
- (2) World bank
- (3) Russian Government Economic report 2020
- (4) Multiple sources used including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Bank of Russia, Russian Government economic reports
- (5) Bank of Russia
- (A) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- (B) International Monetary Fund (IMF) AND World Bank