... albeit using the older video of a surface launch, that Kazan officially carries 3M22 Zircon. Here is his report from Havana (in Russian), including some details which you will not find in Western media. The condition for both ships entering Havana was the absence of nuclear weapons on board.
Even without nukes, combination of weapons on both ships is strategic in nature. Also, pay attention to US buoys (hundred +) spent in attempts to track Kazan.
Another Zircon-Onyx-Kalibr-Otvet carrier Marshal Shaposhnikov together with RKR Varyag (this one, unlike sunk Moskva, is fully upgraded and digitized) was visiting Egypt. Well, will wait for Military Acceptance with more details of those visits.
... actual news from Havana. Not the first half of the report, of course. But visit to Admiral Gorshkov is open for public. Upper deck only, of course.
Obviously, no one is allowed on board of Kazan. As expected, the discussion board below the video is dominated by massive numbers of TSIPSO and simply genuine article Khohol and other Western fanboys, but the truth is--as I reiterated a number of times--it is what is in waters in the Eastern and Western seaboards which really matters. Couple of the US vessels with SURTASS are hanging around the area waiting for any opportunity to get Kazan's acoustic signature, but Russians are keenly aware of the rules of the game and Kazan, naturally, will sail on the surface until she breaks off nosy SURTASS guys and a couple of Virginias or Seawolves doing lapses in the vicinity. Good Ol' submariners game.
Russian Navy's latest class of replenishment ships (oilers) of pr. 23130 with 2 completed, 2 building and 2 ships of this class planned. They are state-of-the-art and are designed and built precisely for the type of global affairs such as the visit of a detachment of Russian ships to Cuba. Each of the ships of this class is capable to carry more than 5,000 tons of fuel, plus other supplies. My memory, however, brings me back to this mighty supplier...
At 25,000 tons, she was a mighty fine ship. Well, times change and surface fleets are rethinking their footprint in the times of hypersonic weapons and 24/7 ISR.
... that Soviet Navy was constantly present in Cuba through 1960s to 1980s. Visits have been regular and even one of the classes of my naval academy went on navigation cruise Kronstadt-Cienfuegos-Cartagena in 1970s. Here is one of the missile cruisers of pr. 58 leaving Cuba in 1969.
It is absolutely normal for the US to react by tracking these ships.
Obviously, the class of these ships--both carriers of hypersonic missiles and extremely long range advanced stand-off weapons under present circumstances with the US unleashing a proxy war against Russia is concerning for the US. It takes 3M22 Zircon about 9 minutes to fly to, God forbid, Norfolk if launched anywhere from Bahamas area.
But I do not take these concerns too seriously because as a former naval professional I totally understand, as do people in the US Navy, it is what is NOT demonstrated by Russia that should be concerning for them and these are Russian Navy's nuclear subs which patrol off both US shores and do it in a fully clandestine manner. Their tasks, whatever they are, are to remain invisible first and foremost. Is Russia making a public point in Cuba? Absolutely, including highly publicized exercises on simulation of missile launches to the ranges beyond 600 kilometers with "autonomous targeting", meaning that targeting is obtained purely through own sensors and helicopter, not from the external targeting such as would be targeting from Liana satellite constellation. Gorshkov's Monolit radar in passive mode can track surface targets up to 450 kilometers. So, we may only speculate how such a long range targeting could be obtained autonomously.
It is clear that Gorshkov carries latest version of venerable Ka-27, Ka-27M.
The "M" version of Ka-27 carries new radar and extends surface search capabilities dramatically. So, most likely, it was Ka-27M (operational range 980 kilometers) which could have provided such targeting.
Yeah, I know--those economic and military monsters such as China and Russia trying to help, but small Cuba, ever-sanctioned and ever-hated in the US (like Russia), they are those unsung heroes of the fight against Covid-19. They have to be honored as true humanitarians who, despite being vilified non-stop, just sent their doctors to help Italy. Here is Cuban delegation of 37 doctors and 15 nurses arriving in Milan.
Or from Al Jazeera.
In related topic. I am wondering why wouldn't those European "leaders" ask for help from their favorite "humanitarians" from White Helmets "organization". Those "specialists" are really good at fighting all kinds of WMDs, you know those Syrian and Russian chemical attacks on hospitals, children and cute Syrian puppies and baby penguins. I think EU, and especially UK, should enroll them in helping with Covid-19. White Helmets have shown themselves an excellent British-ran Jihad propaganda outlet, so, I am sure, they will be willing to lend their helping hand in combatting this virus in UK. They sure have the "expertise". I would suggest White Helmets start helping The Guardian personnel to survive the virus. Granted, that a volume of filth concentrated in there can only be helped by bulldozing the whole damn thing. Still, interesting idea.
