Many specialized media in the United States such as The National Interest, The Drive and others have already given news and comments on the issue of our Marshal Shaposhnikov's release from repair to sea trials.
The news itself is so-so: what is it about the next repair of an old ship? Is that the modernization of its strike missile weapons: instead of an openly defensive anti-submarine ship (which, in fact, were the ships of Project 1155), armed with anti-submarine missile-torpedoes "Rastrub", suddenly there was a strike ship packed with modern missile systems.
Anti-ship missile system "Uranus". "Onyx" is a serious weapon capable of puzzling ships of any class, and the tasks will be from the "Critical Situations Survival" section.
UKSK 3S14 and "Caliber NK" do not need any introduction at all, not that the hit of the season, but who wants to check?
In general, there are many novelties, it is clear why the ship stood in the dock for 4 years. "Bagheera", artillery control system MR-123-02 / 3, electronic suppression complex TK-25, general detection radar system MR-710 and radar information processing system 5P-30N2, automated communications complex R-779-28 and GMDSS complex.
A lot of work has been done.
In general, in fact, Project 1155 is a very successful platform for the deployment of a wide variety of weapons. If we could in a reasonable time modernize all the remaining ships of this family (and we have 8 more, if we count the "Admiral Kharlamov" in reserve), then such a good strike fist would turn out. Unless, of course, we do not spray ships across all fleets, which we like to sin with.
Why did it happen that almost all the American media of our profile paid attention to this? Is it possible that one old (1986) ship, albeit armed with modern means of destroying enemy ships, can really scare the US Navy?
Of course not.
Not "Calibers" and "Onyxes" are terrible for the Americans, but the sums and years.
It's no secret that our fleet is as far from ideal as the Arctic is from the title of a resort. And yes, our ships are very, very old, for the most part. There is no desire to even touch this topic, since everything that can be used to threaten the adversaries is all Soviet-built. This applies to ships with a displacement above the corvette. Excluding, thank God, submarines. Here we still know how.
But who said that the Americans have everything so luxurious? Who said that the interests and frontiers of the United States are guarded by the brand new ships that are ready 365 days a year to tear to pieces any adversary who dared …?
The fact of the matter is that no.
If you look at the payroll of the US fleet, then upon closer examination it will become clear that they have no less hemorrhoids than we do. Yes, there are more ships. Yes, the ships are stronger. This is true.
But, in turn, this also suggests that more money will be needed for repairs and maintenance.
With this case, the Americans already have problems above the waterline, but who says there will be fewer of them? No, of course, if the kingstones are opened, then yes.
Attack ship cruiser of the "Ticonderoga" class.
Nice ship? Good. There is something to hit. Let's compare? "Marshal Shaposhnikov" has 8 "Uranians" against the same number of "Harpoons" "Ticonderogi". But our ship has 16 launchers with "Caliber", and "Ticonderoga" - 122 for missiles, including "Tomahawks". There is a difference, as it were. Arleigh Burke has slightly fewer slots, 96. But both ships use part of the cells to launch ship-to-air missiles.
So the American cruiser has 26 ammunition for the Tomahawks, and the destroyer has 8 to 56, but who will load the full b / c is a question.
But in principle, this is not so important. American ships are a priori strike ships and they have something to beat. In theory.
In practice, we look to where we always grieve. For the year of issue.
I'll start with Ticonderogo. Nice ships, but … ancient. As ours, one might say. It is not surprising that at one time these cruisers quite normally met with our ships (still in the BOD status), because the newest of the Ticonderogs, Port Royal, entered service in 1994. The oldest remaining, Bunker Hill, was in 1986.
Against this background, 1986, the entry into operation of "Marshal Shaposhnikov" does not look something so … extraordinary. Yes, "Hilla" should have been cut last year, but they didn't. And "Port Royal" generally extended its service life right up to 2045.
Looks good, doesn't it?
And what do we conclude from this?
And the conclusion is this: old ships are still excellent platforms with great potential for modernization. The Shaposhnikov did not make the Ticonderoga, even the Arlie Burke does not pull, but it is a perfectly sane multipurpose strike ship. 16 "Caliber" versus 32 "Tomahawk" … Although, as "axes" reach the target … In the same Syria … "Caliber" is clearly preferable to look.
It is clear that if you release everything that is from 10 cruisers, it will not seem enough to anyone.
But: 4 years of work with Shaposhnikov. Replacement of all or almost all weapons. Replacement of means of detection and counteraction. How much money was spent on this, of course, no one will ever say for sure, for obvious reasons.
But the Americans will still have more.
Until 1990, 10 cruisers were commissioned.
From 1990 to 1994 - 12 more.
Are these new ships? I beg to differ.
Arlie Burke. 21 ships of the first series were commissioned between 1991 and 1997. Yes, 23-30 years is not a term … Not a term?
And then why are our ships considered old? Because they are. Old. Built over 30 years ago.
And American ships do not shine with novelty. I haven't touched the aircraft carriers yet; if you look at the head Nimitz, you can't help but cry. Into the voice. Especially if you are a US budget.
But for now, we are talking about cruisers and destroyers.
In reality, the situation is sad for Americans. Unfortunately, for luck, but our ambitions in "building a fleet of a distant ocean zone", "demonstrating the flag" and other nonsense came across the fact that we would not actually build anything. We have a lot of things missing in the country, from money to hands. But the main problem is the lack of honest and intelligent leadership.
So for now, all these projects will remain as projections, and we will launch exceptionally small rocket ships that will not be able to display a flag anywhere, but with "Caliber", which is typical, they will reach.
But Russia is not "the ruler of the seas", in fact, we do not need it as much as the United States. We are not a global gendarme, we do not establish order with the help of the AUG around the world, and we do not have a single such group. Fortunately.
But unfortunately for some part of America, they have a fleet. And this fleet will not even demand money. He will demand a SUM for its maintenance and repairs.
Because, in fact, the Americans are looking at how we modernize our ships, what we build. What China launches. Because all this will have to be given an adequate answer. Including the Chinese destroyers of the 055 project, which (despite the fact that the destroyers) will be considerably heavier than the Ticonderogs. 12,000 tons of displacement against 9800. And who is the cruiser? And there are already 8 such ships on the water …
Question: Will the USA win, and at what cost, if they do, this race?
It's not an easy question. I deliberately do not take submarine cruisers whose business is simply to destroy the world. We are not talking about this now, but about surface ships that determine the naval policy of countries. And about how much it will cost the budgets.
It is good that Russia is not striving for a leading position in the ocean, except on paper. This is really good for the country, because today we will lose any arms race except the virtual one.
Another question: will the United States win?
There is such a concept in history as "Pyrrhic victory". This term is perfectly applicable to what is taking shape in the US Navy today. A huge (more than 40) number of ships, which in the near future should receive new equipment and weapons. They should, because the world does not stand still, and the fleet is obliged to respond to all changes around.
And around the huge and not very efficient US fleet, changes are taking place. Yes, maybe, unfortunately, the main stream is not coming from our side, but we are doing our bit. Not mythical "Poseidons", which amused everyone, but quite real "Calibers" and "Onyxes", which can sadden many.
Put old ships under the knife and build new ones? Not an option. Congress is against. It is equally unclear whether the approval of the program for the development of the American fleet up to 500 ships will pass through Congress.
Not to repair or upgrade? Well, even we have already abandoned this path. It leads to sedimentation tanks filled with rusty ships.
The Russian navy received a very interesting and versatile warship at its disposal. Yes, so far, unfortunately, one. But we have something to push off from, as already mentioned above.
Will there be an answer? And how much it will pull in billions of dollars is very interesting.
And the most interesting thing is that the Americans have long been hostages to their policies. And they cannot but respond to any challenge from any country. Whether it is a radical modernization of an old BOD or the construction of a new destroyer. This is how everything is arranged for them that they will have to answer. Dollar.
Otherwise it is impossible. Otherwise, Russians (Chinese, Indians) might think … However, this is a separate topic for reflection.
