The Admiral Kuznetsov is notoriously unlucky. Since the ship’s commissioning in 1990, numerous accidents have befallen Russia’s only aircraft carrier. In 2017, the ship belched black smoke as it transitioned through the English Channel en route to Syria, and was widely derided in the news and on social media.

In October of 2018, the ship’s large PD-50 floating dock sank, damaging the Kuznetsov’s flattop when a large crane collapsed on top of it. The PD-50 loss was a significant hindrance to the carrier, as the ship would be forced to use land-based docks for major repairs and maintenance, rather than a more logistically flexible floating dock.

And just last year, a deadly fire broke out inside the carrier thanks to sparks caused by routine welding work, damaging the interior, killing two, and injuring fourteen. Repairs were estimated to cost between $1 billion and $1.5 billion. It may even have been possible that spare parts and other repair material burned in the blaze as well, complicating the repair process. But, despite the series of unfortunate mishaps, the Admiral Kuznetsov floats on.

Full Steam Ahead

Tass, the Russian state-owned news agency, recently reported that change is in the wind: ship repairs, to be completed in Murmansk, at Zvezdockha’s shipyard No. 35.

Citing a source familiar with the work being done to the ship, Tass outlined the scope of repairs—mainly to the Kuznetsov's propulsion systems—and is to include “technical readiness and the implementation of certain modernization works, according to the contract, the replacement of the main boilers of the ship, the repair of the main turbo-gear units and the propeller-rudder group, gas turbine and diesel generators, the renewal of electronic weapons and aviation equipment.”

In addition, the repair work will cover the “installation of a new complex of weapons,” though exactly what those entail remains to be seen. In tandem with work being done to the aircraft carrier, the PD-50 floating repair dock was also set to be put back into service.

Though a significant overhaul, the repair work is expected to extend the Admiral Kuznetsov’s service life for a paltry five extra years. If accurate, the aircraft carrier would be slated for retirement sometime in 2027.

Postscript

How long Admiral Kuznetsov will remain afloat is anybody’s guess. As Russia’s only aircraft carrier, the large ship is an important symbol of national pride and international prestige, affording Russia access to the exclusive club of countries with aircraft carriers, though its combat effectiveness is doubtful. The repairs Tass mentions seem too extensive for a mere five-year service life extension—watch this topic closely for further updates on the Admiral Kuznetsov.

Caleb Larson is a Defense Writer with the National Interest. He holds a Master of Public Policy and covers U.S. and Russian security, European defense issues, and German politics and culture.

Image: Reuters