Russian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

bd popeye said:

According to this video from Ukraine Today the Russian carrier has broken down and is under tow. Can anyone verify this story from a source other that Ukraine Today? If so please provide a link. Thanks!

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bd popeye said:

The Russians have never mastered side by side refueling like the USN, PLAN & RN ..etc...etc..

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Gloire_bb said:

Come on, it's standart procedure for Soviet navy since 1960s(when SN actually started world-wide deployements).
No rocket science here.

Btw, end-on refueling is done by ships following in column ahead(and, obviously, doesn't require stoppage)

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bd popeye said:

Friend..I served with the USN from 1971 to 1991 and made seven major deployments. I know how the Russian refuel. Trust me there are members in this forum that are unaware of this.

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Gloire_bb said:

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......And the Soviet Navy had no combat experience from the end of the Great Patriotic War until the end of the Soviet Union, a period during which the US Navy fought three major wars and a number of lesser engagments. A doctrinal emphasis on "battle of the first salvo", low operating tempo, and a lack of combat experience all combined to relegate underway replenishment to a distincly secondary role, in contrast to the absolutely central role it played in power projection navies, such as those of the US and UK.

The Soviet Navy had no insurmountable peacetime problems in replenishing and maintaining its distant-deployed fleets. It employs naval auxiliaries as well as ships of the Soviet Merchant Marine that are able to procure fresh water and foodstuffs from foreign ports. Additionally shore-based logistic and repair facilities are used to varying degrees in foreign ports where the Soviets have gained access. Coun tries which have provided such access include and Syria, Cuba, Yugoslavia, Tunisia, Guinea, Angola, Algeria, Yemen, Greece, Ethiopia, Vietnam. Djibouti, Singapore, France, Italy, Libya, and Canada.

During war, however, most such port facilities could become inaccessible, and the anchorages would be extremely vulnerable. At-sea replenishment of fuels, ammunition, consumables. and repair parts would then be required to sustain warships at great distances from their home ports in prolonged periods of conflict. Until the late 1960s, the Soviet Navy had been slow in developing underway replenishment capabilities and techniques. By the end of the Cold War they had improved their ability to conduct alongside, underway replenishment of liquids, but their ability to transfer ammunition and other solids in the same manner was still marginal.

During the 1970s, the Soviets introduced the BORIS CHILIKIN class of combination oiler-stores ship and a larger, multipurpose replenishment ship, the 37,000-ton BEREZINA, which carried two helicopters for vertical replenishment and is similar to the US Navy's WICHITA Class AOR design, although it carried only about half as much fuel.

Further, a number of Soviet naval oilers could also provide underway refueling by the less efficient astern method traditionally used by the Soviet Navy, which required the vessels involved to come to a virtual standstill. This was perhaps less a hindrance than might at first appear, as Soviets provided a preponderance of replenishment and routine maintenance to their deployed units in open anchorages in international waters. True to form, Soviet ships remained at anchor, even when under way.

By the end of the Cold War, the Soviet Navy employed about 50 replenishment ships, some 27 of which were capable of alongside refueling. No significant new replenishment ships had been delivered to the Soviet Navy for well over a decade, and most of the existing replenishment ships are small and slow. Only two very small underway replenishment ships had been delivered to the Soviet Navy since 1979.

By the end of 1991 almost all surface ships and submarines were withdrawn from the area of traditional operation of the Soviet Navy. Logistics supportcenters on Dahlak island (Ethiopia) and in Svinoustsje (Poland) were closed down within quite a short period of time. In the course of time Russian combat ships ceased to come in Cam Ranh Bay military base (Vietnam), consequently the base lost its significance and was abandoned due to absence of specific tasks to support operation of the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Federation.

Nowadays only one logistics support center abroad left to provide services to Russian warships special vessels and auxiliary ships. This is a sea base in Tartus port (Syria). This fact undoubtedly shows that the Russian Federation reduced its naval activity in regions formerly subdued by the Soviet Navy. However this state of affairs corresponds with the level of ability of the state to defend its interests in the Ocean making use of its military presence and flag demonstration. This situation is caused not so much by changes to the marine doctrine as by economic problems. Nevertheless, ships and vessels of the Russian Federation time after time make long-range voyages. They are mostly official visits to foreign ports and brief voyages connected with performance of special tasks....

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Gloire_bb said:

Some more.
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bd popeye said:

Thanks for posting. I have never seen a photo of the Russians refueling side by side. We were always trained that the Russian refueled bow to stern. ...

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