Bozkashi Jones | 19 Oct 2016 9:44 a.m. PST |
From BBC News: The naval task force from Russia's Northern Fleet will proceed past the British Isles, down to Gibraltar, and through the Mediterranean Sea to join the Russian combat mission in war-torn Syria. link Until now though, most of the Russian naval presence off Syria has come from its Black Sea fleet, vessels transiting the Bosphorus, deploying into the eastern Mediterranean, and then returning to the Black Sea. Earlier this month, for example, two Buyan-M missile-firing corvettes – the Serpukhov and the Zelyony Dol – left Sevastopol en route for the Mediterranean. This latest deployment is of a different order, comprising some of the largest warships in the Russian fleet. Leading the task force is Russia's sole aircraft carrier – the Admiral Kuznetsov – escorted by six other vessels. Chief among them is the nuclear-powered battle cruiser – Pyotr Velikiy (Peter the Great) a Kirov-class warship and the largest surface combatant (excluding aircraft carriers) in the world.
With it are two anti-submarine destroyers of the Udaloy class – the Severomorsk and the Vice-Admiral Kulakov. There are also four support vessels. It is likely that the flotilla will be joined by Russian submarines as well, which would typically help protect the carrier. Now, leaving aside that I'm worried about the Grimsby fishing fleet and a repeat of the Dogger Bank incident, this seems like an unbalanced force, much as is nice for the BBC to give us an ORBAT – most journalists forget that there are those of us who like these things! Nick |
15mm and 28mm Fanatik | 19 Oct 2016 10:14 a.m. PST |
Russia announced this move nearly a month ago. They are establishing a large enough military presence in (SAM batteries and aircraft) and around (ships and aircraft carrier) Syria that would deter the US from trying to impose a no-fly zone or other types of "kinetic" action to effect regime change (i.e. depose Assad). By the time the nrw POTUS assumes office next year, the Russians would have a large enough presence that would even give her pause due to the high stakes involved in undertaking military action. And if eastern Aleppo falls to pro-regime forces by then, there would be little that can be done other than to accept it as a fait accompli. |
Major Mike | 19 Oct 2016 10:42 a.m. PST |
They have also been making overtures to the Egyptians and have conducted a joint exercise. |
Echoco | 19 Oct 2016 11:48 a.m. PST |
Smart move. Now that the UK is leaving the EU I fully embrace our new Russian overlord. |
Bozkashi Jones | 19 Oct 2016 12:32 p.m. PST |
I'm still worried about the fishing fleet – Russia have got 'previous' |
GarrisonMiniatures | 19 Oct 2016 2:52 p.m. PST |
Wow! Didn't realise it was over 10 years ago :) There has been talk that the Russian ships will split up, some going down the West coast, in order to stretch the RN. |
Bozkashi Jones | 19 Oct 2016 5:06 p.m. PST |
No problem – we have a ship for each side |
GarrisonMiniatures | 19 Oct 2016 11:50 p.m. PST |
Yes, but we need 3 each side. One as escort, one to replace it if it breaks down, and a tug to tow the original escort back to port. Also, what if the Russians split up going round Ireland? |
dvyws9 | 20 Oct 2016 2:26 a.m. PST |
No real threat to the Grimsby fishing flet, anyway. There isn't one anymore. |
Bozkashi Jones | 20 Oct 2016 5:36 a.m. PST |
"No real threat to the Grimsby fishing flet, anyway. There isn't one anymore" And I think it's closed season for pedaloes |
Moonraker Miniatures | 20 Oct 2016 5:51 a.m. PST |
No problem – we have a ship for each side lol – but also so sadly near the truth. Doug |
Echoco | 22 Oct 2016 4:26 a.m. PST |
I just noticed the fire engines on deck, extra CIWS using hose or a water shield against missile? Russian secret weapon we don't know about. |
Lion in the Stars | 23 Oct 2016 5:03 a.m. PST |
No, the USN has fire trucks on the deck of it's carriers, too. They're just built off of the same chassis as the deck tugs so they don't stick out as much. Look for the white-painted vehicles, the airplane movers are yellow. |