Throughout the twentieth century, aircraft carriers were a symbol of aggression, not always turning into a military conflict lies at times in a show of force.So mugger, holding in his right hand a heavy crowbar, and the left brick, politely offers to buy the last for a round sum.
Contents powerful naval forces poor countries can not afford.The cost of the aircraft carrier now in the comparable prices of 10-15 bln. Dollars, and its construction entail additional budgetary costs of maintaining technical condition and capability annually comparable with that amount.No wonder they say that the best way to destroy the enemy - it is to give him a powerful warship.
successful conduct of military operations is extremely difficult to achieve without air superiority.War of the postwar decades (Korea, Vietnam, the Falklands) did not do without plying near the source of the conflict of floating air bases to ensure the presence in the airspace of hundreds of aircraft.
debate about how necessary the carriers of Russia, continuing since the Soviet era.Opponents of them are divided into two main groups, conventionally called "doves" and "hawks".The first act of the principle of sufficiency, that is, to minimize the cost of war, and the second - for adequate and balanced response to almost any challenge.
Soviet economy in its effectiveness could not stand competition with the production capacity of the main competitor, the United States, so the construction of a dozen nuclear aircraft carrier did not take place.In 70 years, each of these aircraft carriers costing American taxpayers about a billion dollars.However, during the 80s in Nikolaev laid the heavy cruiser "Varyag" and "Tbilisi", capable of taking on its flight deck of fifty modern multipurpose supersonic aircraft, are not inferior to the specifications "Hornet" and F-16not to mention the "Tomcat" and "phantoms".After the collapse of the USSR the question arose whether the carriers of Russia and, in general, what to do with them.
Solomonic decision was taken.Entered into service ship "Tbilisi" Black Sea Fleet command has managed to transfer to the Northern Fleet, where he successfully carries on active service under the name of "Admiral Kuznetsov" and the unfinished "Varyag" was left to rust in the Nikolaev shipyards, until it was sold to China at the price of scrap metal.
ruin and complete economic decline nineties Western analysts have imposed the idea that Russia can no longer claim to be a superpower.It seemed possible scenario is dividing the country and establishing full control over it.However, at some point, things did not go according to plan.What is called, overlooked ...
paid the foreign debt and to draw conclusions about the dangers of indifference to the safety of the example of other countries, leadership has strengthened defenses, without ignoring and Russian Navy.Carriers in the first phase were not going to build, emphasizing the main strike force - the submarine fleet.
Meanwhile, the military doctrines of many states have changed significantly.China and India - the country that no one can be accused of neo-colonialism - nevertheless started to make efforts to create their own full-fledged fleet with air support.Italy and Spain also have acquired, albeit small, but the carriers.A full ship of this class, and with the nuclear power plant, has France.Why should such weapons to countries not seeking a military seizure of foreign territories and whether carriers need Russia?
issue rather rhetorical.On distant from our shores union state is difficult to provide military pressure, if its shores will Russian aircraft carriers.In addition to maintaining military parity have any superpower, there are economic interests, the need to assert that may arise in those regions, which today information portals, and do not remember.Owning a full fleet, able to resolve any combat missions in remote locations - not just a question of national prestige and military necessity, but also economic expediency.
Apparently, the new aircraft carriers of the Russian Navy will receive, but expect this event in the next decade is not necessary.The ship of this class is not only costly in itself, it needs a proper infrastructure.Straw will likely complete aircraft carriers, nuclear power plant, with a displacement of more than 100 thous. Tons, virtually unlimited range and long battery life.Perhaps they will be less than that of the United States, but it is enough to Russia's allies were not afraid of anyone.
