The Key Phrase (or About RKR Moskva Again).

The key phrase in this whole RKR Moskva affair, with her being "sunk" or "being hit by missiles" are Russian MoD's words about "the cause of the fire is under investigation". Usually, when you are hit by missiles you don't investigate--it is self evident what happened. As was expected, Ukies immediately tried to "insert" their version of the fire and explosion on board of Moskva, which turned out, surprise-surprise, a full BS.  But then again, remember--VSU is about to crush Russian Forces in 404 and be on their way to Moscow. 

Several Ukrainian officials had earlier boasted that a battery of their Neptune anti-ship missiles hidden in the area near the port town of Odessa had successfully struck the Moskva twice, setting it ablaze. However, they provided no proof to their claims, with the images of the burning vessel distributed on social media turning out to be fake. Russia’s Ministry of Defense said earlier that the fire aboard the Moskva had been likely caused by an ammunition explosion. The cruiser had suffered “serious damage,” while its crew was safely evacuated to other ships in the area. The Pentagon commented on the incident on Thursday evening, saying that there was “at least one” explosion on the Russian cruiser that was a “fairly major one” and “caused extensive damage.” The US military believe the ship is now heading to the Crimean port of Sevastopol for repairs, the Pentagon’s press secretary, John Kirby told CNN's Brianna Keilar. Ukraine had already claimed last month to have sunk the Russian patrol boat Vasily Bykov, only for the vessek to show up in Sevastopol unharmed a few days later.

Looks like it is not even being towed but Moskva is on the way under her own power, at least that is what Kirby (it seems) stated himself (in Russian). So, anyone who has the time to listen to his briefing, please check if this is true. 

In any case, Moskva is certainly not sunk, she is functional and will be repaired, at least this is the word for now. In fact, something tells me, that now she may go into the modernization and even a deeper one than Marshal Ustinov. Just to make the point. I cannot give the guarantee, obviously, but something tells me that this could be one of the options. This Moskva issue is a great demonstration of a massive fraud which all kinds of telegram-channels and military "experts" offer as "analysis" and "news" rushing to promote themselves as valid news outlets, while selling fake sensations. I am not talking about Ukie or Western propaganda--one would expect them to lie. No, I am talking about a truck-load of those alleged "pro-Russian" outlets who spread BS purely to make a buck. 

Per versions on why the fire started: recall Bonhomme Richard? Just saying. Military counter-intel organs cannot be 100% proof and under present conditions of SMO the issue of sabotage cannot be excluded, period. Especially after devastating news for Kiev with yet another more than VSU 300 marines surrendering today to Russian Forces and the pool of POWs from Ukrainian side constituting now more than 3,000 POWs. The reduction of the Donbass cauldron, some sources close to SMO project, may bring 30,000 VSU POWs and that is a completely different "logistics" in humanitarian and security terms. As I already stated, the most in demand profession in LDNR right now are prison security guards, to handle thousands VSU POWs. This in itself could be a very serious motivation for someone who may have sympathies to regime in Kiev, which may not have been promptly detected. Inside work is totally possible. We'll see anyway. 

BTW, pay attention to those Vikhrs on Ka-52s, those are PGMs.

Understanding Is Good.

Like General John Hyten understands. Especially when talking to such a "think-buggy" as Brookings, known to be a nest of exceptionalist and neocon ideas. 

Speaking at a meeting hosted by Washington think-tank The Brookings Institution on Monday, Vice Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General John E. Hyten warned of the risks if conflicts spiral out of control, and expressed hope that cooler heads can prevail. "We never fought the Soviet Union," he said. "As for the great powers, our goal is to never go to war with China and Russia." According to Hyten, such an event would "destroy the world and the global economy. It will be bad for everyone, and we have to ensure that we do not go down that path." However, the general went on, previous deals between Moscow and NATO after the fall of the USSR concluded "Russia was not a threat any more." At the same time, however, he alleges that the Russians were "modernizing their entire nuclear arsenal." This, he says, was because "I think they were worried about the US."

Actually, give it up for Hyten--he talks totally common sense things and, what is really important, and I know it for sure, neither Russia nor China want the war with the United States. In fact, his conclusion on modernization of Russia's nuclear arsenal is spot on--Russia was worried about the US. Russia still worries about the US, this time because of a major clusterfuck the country has become and Russians are keenly aware that bat shit crazy element in US decision-making circuit is still present and one cannot completely exclude a possibility of those people pushing the United States to the brink of unleashing a war of desperation. Good that Hyten speaks to one such institution where neocon ideas are popular due to military ignorance of people exercising those and the words of General Hyten can only be commended. But as I am on record non-stop, the remaining expertise about the outside world rests today primarily, not exclusively, with some segments in the US military, who, by the virtue of their profession, have understanding of a horrendous price if the United States decides to unleash a suicidal war. 

Russians worry, alright. They train today, at Zapad-2021 maneuvers, a creation of a local AD network, designed to repel a massive attack on Russia's forces in case of real war. 

For those who may ask, S1 Pantsirs have a ground-attack capability and their guns are actually extremely effective against armored ground targets and personnel. In related stream of military porn from Zapad-2021 remotely controlled and robotic combat means (such as Uran-9 which was improved after Syria's underwhelming performance) and some new combat vehicles such as BMD-4. 

As they say, Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum.  Especially in times like these we have on our hands. 

 

It does look real hm... skynettish. But then again, it is 21st Century, after all. Russia finally recognized that you either are powerful or you are a slave. Russians don't like to be slaves and that is why they build ultra-modern armed forces. 

Now, I want to thank all those people who became my patrons on Patreon. I hope our relations will be long-lasting and to the benefit of both parties. I hope to start making new videos by the end of this week. But, yes, I will need all support I can get to develop my teeny-weeny media "empire", especially after reading materials such as this (thanks to Bernhard from Moon of Alabama for finding these "pearls"), damn, the delusion is strong on this one. 

The new age of American power. Despite forecasts of decline following the Afghanistan withdrawal, the US military is planning another century of global domination.

You see, this is why I welcome sober and realistic opinions of real professionals, such as General Hyten, especially spoken to those who still reside in their make-believe world of America's omnipotence.

When The Music Is Good...Why Not.

Project 971 subs (NATO: Akula, in reality--Schuka, Pike) are great ships, always were. Extremely silent, reliable and overall one of those things which belong to the category of "if ain't broke, don't fix it" technology. Modernize? Sure, but don't "fix" it. Now, one of these subs Leopard underwent totally expected modernization with adding to her this nasty ability to launch Kalibr family missiles and who knows what else. But this is not what is funny about the ceremony of getting her out in the open. Listen to the music. 

Hark, what are those charming sounds? Of course, who can forget:

Ah, Russian mindfuckery again, LOL. What kind of hints are Russians sending. Albeit, truth to be told, Russian subs armed with 3M14 and even 3M54 do not need to get near Texas. But the point, of course, is simple--if ain't broke, don't fix it. Project 971 SSNs are superb subs which have a lot of life left in them and armed with all those "toys" such as Kalibrs, Onikses and Zircons their deadliness increases many folds. Among new things, SU-57 started its serial delivery to air force. 

Basically, all this BS of the past few years that SU-57 ran into problems, that Russia cannot produce it etc. as always turned out to be exactly that, a BS and a butthurt of Western military porn enthusiasts who still think that modern war is some kind of iteration of WWII with armadas of aircraft engaged in the air to air combat akin to strategic bombing operations by Allies or massive fighter brawls over Kursk or Kuban in 1943.

Meanwhile, yet another corvette of pr. 20380--Hero of Russia Aldar Tsydenzhapov--is officially commissioned to Pacific Fleet. Recent maneuvers with MiG-31Ks carrying hypersonic Kinzhals with them relocating to Far East bases, shows that Russia increases her options and shows support to China... just in case. I am sure when Admiral Nakhimov with all her 174 VLS tubes packed with Zircons, Kalibrs and a variety of AD missiles will be re-commissioned to Russian Navy they will be playing this:

And why not, if the music is good.

Very Nonchalant.

The decision, looks like, was made (in Russian) and another Udaloy-class, Project 1155 large ASW ship, this time Admiral Levchenko, will undergo same modernization as recently re-commissioned Marshal Shaposhnikov, which now undergoes post-modernization trials and should join the fleet (Pacific) fairly soon. Levchenko should remain at the Northern Fleet. Looks like all remaining 7 Udaloys will undergo modernization. They will be re-designated into frigates but with an immense surface warfare potential. 

Just to remind you how those new (old) frigates will look like (Bagira, UKSK, X-35 et al), here is Shaposhnikov again. 

Looks like costs of modernization of Shaposhnikov were largely offset by operational benefits of keeping these older hulls (with pretty much new internals) afloat and I am sure many in Russian Navy felt vindicated, and satisfied, with such a direction the fate of these elegant ships took. They were always loved in Soviet and now Russian Navies, they deployed like crazy due to their excellent reliability and sea-keeping qualities and now they finally are being up-gunned the way God intended. Just another day in Russia's "declining" shipbuilding industry and tattered economy, wink-wink. 

Some Technological Issues For The Russian Navy.

No, I am not talking about those well-known issues of re-tooling and modernization of wharves and issues related to that. No. I am talking about the issue of a fleet facing a completely new technological reality, aka Real Revolution in Military Affairs, and being forced to adapt literally on the run with all that follows, including rewriting its own fighting doctrine, tactics and reviewing its force structure. Enter this damn 3M22 Zircon and Marshal Shaposhnikov, now officially, a destroyer (instead of being Large ASW Ship in his previous life) and long time "reservist" K-132 Irkutsk of Oscar-II (project 949A) SSGN. The hint with Shaposhnikov was obvious. Compare this picture from from 2017:

With this, from October 2019. 

See the difference? It is huge, Shaposhnikov has two large technological holes created behind her, now lone, 100-mm gun and those holes are, obviously, for UKSK (3C14) VLS. Now, it has been revealed that apart from seemingly obvious mix of Kalibr's 3M14-3M54-91RT family missiles, Shaposhnikov WILL carry, drum roll, 3M22 Zircon.   

БПК "Маршал Шапошников" и подлодка "Иркутск" смогут применять ракеты "Циркон". АПЛ "Иркутск", в частности, модернизируют до уровня 949АМ

Translation: Large ASW Ship Marshal Shaposhnikov and submarine Irkutsk will be able to use Zircon missiles. Submarine Irkutsk, specifically, is being modernized to project 949AM level.

This, obviously, explains a "delay", or rather "progression" of modernization plans for Shaposhnikov. As for Oscars, their Zirconization was obvious from the git go. In fact, Russian Navy's Zirconization is now an established fact. These ships are for Russia's Pacific Fleet, which is in desperate need for modernization (it is ongoing as I type this) and is getting to be (back) a key stability factor both in nuclear deterrence and in Asia by conventional means. Just imagine one of these things stuffed with Zirkons and Onyxes to the hilt hanging out somewhere under the cover of Russian ASW and fighter-interceptor aviation, and latest SSKs.

See the possibilities now? 

TOOD

This is not anymore A2/AD (Anti-Access/Area Denial) "bubble", this is (may I copyright this?) Theater Of Operations Denial (TOOD) doctrine in action. But then again, traditional geopolitics as it was conceived in times of steam and ironclads is dead as are dead old fighting naval doctrines. But I warned about it years ago, didn't I? Here is one of such warnings. 

I propose, that the development of these kinds of ships (boats) and of the missile complexes they carry is completely new, paradigm-shifting, development but before I continue, hopefully during the Labor Day weekend, I want to make some important points.

Disclaimer: I know, there are armies of internet "warriors" who browse world-wide-web constantly in search of the virtual fights and who do not understand that behind all this fancy military lingo is the reality of the combat with blood, suffering, torn limbs, horrible burns, torturous deaths. I am terrified by the possibility of Russia and US going to war, but I am also terrified by the blood-thirst of all kinds of patriots who are ready to fight somebody, while sitting in the chairs as I am doing now.

I have a profound respect to US Navy, its glorious history and many people, who served and still serve there, some of those people are my closest and dearest friends and they are not war mongers. However, the continuation of the posts on mosquito fleet, inevitably, will lead to a description of the scenario which is in the air, but, hopefully is not becoming a reality, in which US Navy will try to test Russia's littoral defenses and this scenario will, certainly, involve participation on a massive scale of Russian Navy's mosquito capabilities, which, as some already guessed, will be covered in the air and from beneath by necessary means which, in Russian language, are called Naryad Sil  (Required Force--what is Naryad and why it is called as such, in English it means dressed, is a separate discussion;-)   Meanwhile, I leave you with the question of why late Admiral Cebrowsky's (hell, try Zumwalt and his Project 60) ideas of Street Fighter will not work in US.

I don't think I need to add anything here. 

Update: I need to add something here, after all. LOL. Zvezda TV already ran news video on this whole issue. In Russian. Pay attention to update (modernization) of good ol' pr. 1234 with 16 X-35 Uran anti-shipping missiles. 

New Marshal Shaposhnikov.

Remember two years ago I wrote this about modernization of Project 1155 (Udaloy-class) BPK Marshal Shaposhnikov? Well, Marshal Shaposhnikov is being modernized and by modernization I mean MODERNIZATION. Thanks to wonderful resource Sdelano U Nas, here is Shaposhnikov's photo in the dry dock in Vladivostok. 

As you can see, it is in effect a construction of a new ship. Everything new in terms of electronics will be installed on this old-timer and, most importantly, apart from 8 launchers of the X-35 Uran anti-shipping missile to be installed in place of the Rastrub anti-submarine missiles, second bow AK-100 is removed and 8 cells of UKSK vertical launchers will be installed and that means the ability to launch any Kalibr family  missile, be it TLAM, ASCM or anti-submarine one. It will be interesting to see what this modernization, once Shaposhnikov is recommissioned, will do for the rest of the fleet of these venerable and impressive ASW ships.  Nine of them are still around and Shaposhnikov is not the youngest of them.

As Was Expected. Not Really A News.

As I reminded here, Russia proceeds with the modernization of at least some Project 949A  (Oscar II-class) SSGNs and Project 971 (Akula-class) SS(G)Ns by upgrading those with Kalibr missile complex, apart from other upgrades including new navigational complex and signal processing suite. In all, 10 subs of both classes were planned for upgrade. Probably one of the Project 945 (Sierra-class) SSNs will make the list too. So far it is known for sure that 2 Oscars are being upgraded. Plans may change, of course. But this is not the point--the point is in the practical arrival to a common sense decision both financially and operationally. 

Apart from the tragedy with sinking of K-141 Kursk  in August of 2000 and the loss of all hands, Oscars (Russian: Anteys) have a good reputation in the fleet, despite some harsh words towards this design from some experienced Russian submariners, such as Vice-Admiral Ryazantsev, who wrote (in Russian) a scathing review of Northern Fleet's combat training practices and procedures in the wake of Kursk disaster. Ryazantsev, who commanded several nuclear subs and eventually a division of those, not without justification, points out to Oscars' major drawback--these are colossal submarines, displacing 24 000 tons. Size in ASW does matter and it's always a compromise between the size of sub and its combat capabilities. 

       

Yet, Oscars are very silent subs and, I would assume, after undergoing deep modernization will reduce their physical fields even further. With maturing of Kalibr complex what used to be considered  Oscars' weakness becomes a serious advantage. In accordance to different sources, after modernization Oscars will be able to carry 72 missiles. This is 3 times the load when compared to Oscars' traditional 24 P-700 Granit (SS-N-19 Shipwreck) missiles.  While P-700's conventional warhead of 750 kilogram of "sea mix" is larger than about 450 kilogram warhead of anti-shipping 3M54, the difference, however, between the two is startling. Oscars will be able to carry a thoroughly modern Kalibrs in different configurations, still providing for a massive anti-shipping salvo, while carrying also a conventional (or secondary nuclear) deterrent of dozens of land-attack 3M14. This is a massive and deadly firepower. With 3M14 range of (officially) up 2500 kilometers, conventional strategic containment or, in layman's lingo--the ability to blow the shit at enemy's coast and deep inland is simply unrivaled in platform-to-platform comparison. Strategic implications of this are enormous. With upgraded Akulas getting presumably 12-14 Kalibrs each,  Russian Navy gets not only massive fire-power but a great deal of flexibility, which was delayed due to a catastrophe which befell Russia in 1990s. 

Obviously, the program of modernization of submarines of these types pursues the objective of a conventional strategic containment. Combined with a very long range cruise missiles' capabilities of Russia's Air Space Forces, these become a stabilizing factor in Russia's defense against  any kind of "democratization" or "humanitarian bombing". But behind that, what emerges or, rather, reemerges is a traditional Soviet/Russian post-WW II view on sea-denial. Russia's evolving submarine force is the same old tool from Sergei Gorshkov's tool box. In some sense it is his vision updated to the realities of the early 21st Century. Gorshkov, certainly, wanted a "balanced Navy"--a force capable of both Sea Denial and, regionally, Sea Control (Blagopriyatny Operativnyi Regime--Favorable Operational Regime). Sea Control idea at that time required a massive investment in the surface fleet with aircraft carriers being a pinnacle of such a fleet building effort. Yet, throughout this effort in 1970s and 1980s, Gorshkov never relented on a massive, in fact, highly prioritized development of submarines, long range naval aviation and cruise missile complexes they carried. Today, under new geopolitical and technological realities it becomes obvious that this was a correct accent. 

1. Aircraft carriers will inevitably devolve or, rather, transform  into a  smaller and less expensive "stability" platforms capable both of limited power projection and, most importantly, ASW. They also will work with a surface fleet in support of its SSGNs.

2. All submarines, of all major types, with the exception of SSBNs, will become cruise-anti-shipping and land-attack missile carrying platforms. They also will become (if not already) fleet's main conventional striking force both against enemy's fleet and land targets.

3. We can only try to imagine what will become of fleet once weapons such as Zircon and even faster and deadlier missiles will get on-line and this reality is not coming--it is already here. It also remains to be seen what would happen with carrier aviation with navalized versions of air-missile-defense complexes S-400, let alone S-500, being deployed to sea. 

As Commanders Joseph A. Gattuzo  and Lori Tanner, both carrier aviators with an immense experience, noted more than a decade and a half ago:

"Money spent furthering manned aircraft technologies and programs—the CVNX (proposed Nimitz-classcarrier replacement) being one of them—is like polishing cannonballs so they will fly a little farther."

They saw it coming. Russian Navy knew it all along, despite ever emotional clash between submarine and carrier lobbies--yes, Russian Navy does have its own "trade unions", if to quote Elmo Zumwalt. That is what limited and precious resources do to one--give birth to a new fighting doctrines.

Marshal Shaposhnikov To Be Modernized.

Remember one of my favorite quotes I use a lot? "We need numbers", that is what legendary Arleigh Burke told Elmo Zumwalt. Numbers matter, a great deal, and so, in order to address the issue of numbers, Russian Navy decided to do a pretty obvious thing--modernize the existing fleet of Udaloy-class Large ASW Ships (BPK project 1155). The first one to be modernized is 32 years old Marshal Shaposhnikov of the Pacific Fleet. Udaloys are magnificent ships but past their prime. One of the drawbacks of these ships, which were designed to be an ASW provider for Sovremenny-class Destroyers (Project 956) which were designed to be a SuWa asset with their Moskit (SS-N-21 Sunburn) anti-shipping missiles, was the fact that Udaloys had very limited anti-surface capability. It seems that this issue will finally be addressed with the installation of new Kh-35U Uran (SS-N-25 Switchblade) anti-shipping missiles. 

Modernization (In Russian) 

Shaposhnikov In Home Base Of Vladivostok

Yes, for some enthusiasts of the UKSK and massive Kalibr or Onyx capabilities, installation of the sub-sonic sea-skimmer may seem as a glass half-empty.  The truth, however, is very simple, installation of the inertial, passive-active and GLONASS-guided 260-km range missile complex will not require any substantial work on the hull. Against the background of Shaposhnikov's massive upgrade of its electronic signal-processing suite, the price tag of 901 million rubles (roughly translates into....drum roll...13.25 million USD) is really a sweet deal. In the end, Uran is a very modern missile, highly protected against opponent's ECM. It is deadly and in this sense the use of the semi-popular term Harpoonski (based purely on similar appearances of missiles) is wrong.  

It is a very good decision which will allow, on cheap, mind you, to upgrade remaining Udaloys while the issue of power plant for Gorshkov-class frigates is being resolved. Udaloys will finally get a full blown anti-surface capability, while retaining what they were always known for--robust ASW. These are ocean-going ships with superb sea-keeping ability and their elegant silhouettes graced not for once all oceans of the world. 

  

Here is the youngest of Udaloys, Destroyer Admiral Chabanenko (of Udaloy II class--look at the launchers of Moskit missiles) visiting Norfolk Naval Base in 2011.