The Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov it is heading for the North Sea and will pass through the English Channel this week. This is what the Norwegian Defense Ministry announces.
La Kuznetsov left Murmansk last Saturday escorted by the nuclear-powered heavy missile cruiser Pyotr Veliky, flagship of the Northern Fleet and from the class destroyer Udaloy I, Severomorsk.
Il Pyotr Veliky it is the world's largest nuclear-powered warship, equipped with anti-ship missiles Turkish Granite and defense strong, naval version of the S-300. The class destroyer joined the flotilla Udaloy, Vice-Admiral Kulakov, a tugboat, a surveillance ship, an oil tanker and an attack submarine from the Northern Fleet. A changeover with a Varshavyanka class from the Black Sea Fleet is likely once the flotilla has entered the Mediterranean.
In total, about four thousand Russian sailors are currently sailing towards the Mediterranean: it is the largest Russian contingent embarked on a real mission since the Cold War. It is also the first operational mission for the Pyotr Veliky , Admiral Kuznetsov.
The Russian aircraft carrier's flight group will coordinate with the air force stationed at the Syrian base of Hmeimim. The activities will continue until next January.
The Norwegian Ministry of Defense, in these hours, has deployed a frigate, ships of the Coast Guard and P-3 patrol vessels Orion to follow the Russian flotilla. An American nuclear-powered submarine has been reported in Northern Norway, in the Tromsø area, while the Royal Navy has already ordered the destroyer HMS duncan and the frigate HMS Richmond to monitor the Russian flotilla when, in a few hours, it crosses the area of interest and English waters.
Fifteen fixed-wing aircraft embarked, including Su-33 and MiG-29K / KUB, and ten Ka-52K, Ka-27 and Ka-31 helicopters embarked.
After the patrolling in the Mediterranean, the Kuznetsov will return to the shipyard for refurbishment of the entire flight deck, with replacement of the lining and the take-off and landing system. These interventions, set for the beginning of 2017, will last three years.
