No Result
View All Result
Defensionem - The WarBible
  • Login
  • Register
  • Books
  • Short Posts
  • VIP
  • Aviation
  • Land
  • History
  • Syrian Conflict Watch
  • Sea
  • Countries
    • China
    • India
    • Middle East
    • Russia
    • South America
    • Syrian Conflict
    • United States of America (USA)
    • United Kingdom (UK)
  • About Us
PRICING
SUBSCRIBE
  • Books
  • Short Posts
  • VIP
  • Aviation
  • Land
  • History
  • Syrian Conflict Watch
  • Sea
  • Countries
    • China
    • India
    • Middle East
    • Russia
    • South America
    • Syrian Conflict
    • United States of America (USA)
    • United Kingdom (UK)
  • About Us
No Result
View All Result
Defensionem
Login

Kuznetsov Airwing In Syria

by Renaud Mayers
7 years ago
Reading Time: 5 mins read
0 0
0

On the 3rd of November 2016, the Kuznetsov battlegroup was sailing South of Crete, almost within reach of its designated zone of operation in Syrian waters. In the past few weeks, a lot has been said about the ship itself, its mission and the reasons why it has been sent in the Mediterranean. Little, however, has been said about the composition of the Kuznetsov airwing in Syria. Not much information has been shared on the subject. So, without further ado, here is what we know so far about said airwing.

RELATED POSTS

Red Winter for Ukraine?

HMS Defender in the Black Sea: The Disinformation War

Ukraine: What would a Russian offensive look like?

The helicopters.

Apparently, the Kuznetsov airwing in Syria includes 18 helicopters: Four Ka-27PL, four Ka-27PS, four Ka-29, four Ka-52K and two Ka-31R

KA-27 PL (Helix A)

Ka-27PL
Ka-27PL

This is the anti-submarine warfare version of the Helix. It carries a dipping sonar, a search radar and can embark sonobouys, depth charges and torpedoes.

 

Ka-27 PS (Helix D)

Buy JNews
ADVERTISEMENT
Ka-27PS
Ka-27PS

The Search and Rescue variant. Its ASW equipment has been removed and replaced by a winch at the back.

Ka-29

Ka-29
Ka-29

This is an assault transport helicopter. It has 300 kilos of armour around the cockpit and engine, can carry anti-tank missiles and unguided rockets and transport 16 fully equipped troops.

Ka-31R

Ka-31R
Ka-31R

The Ka-31 is a radar picket Airborne Early Warning (AEW) helicopter. Its radar can detect fighter jets at a range of 150km and ships at a distance of up to 200km. It can track up to 40 objects simultaneously.

Ka-52K

Ka-52K
Ka-52K

The naval version of the Ka-52 reconnaissance and light attack helicopter. It comes equipped with better radar, sensor and navigation suites than the Ka-52.

The planes

What about the jets ? Well, for what we know, the Kuznetsov airwing in Syria is also composed of 14 planes: Ten Su-33, one MiG-29KUBR and three MiG-29KR.

Su-33 (Flanker D)

Su-33
Su-33

The Su-33 is an air superiority naval fighter. While it is optimised for air to air combat, it can engage ground targets with “dumb” bombs if necessary.

MiG-29KR (Fulcrum D)

MiG-29KR
MiG-29KR

A multirole naval aircraft that can be used in both air to air and air to ground configuration. It comes equipped with a new radar and a new cockpit. It has the capability to engage ground targets with “smart” weapons.

MiG-29KUBR

MiG-29KUBR
MiG-29KUBR

The twin-seat version of the MiG-29KR. It will be used on the Kuznetsov in the tanker role to refuel aircraft in flight.

Analysis

The composition of the Kuznetsov airwing in Syria is interesting for several reasons:

  1. The MiG-29K and Su-33 are finally both being used operationally. Only 24 (other sources say 35) Su-33 were ever produced and while the Flanker D is a superb fighter, it is really a one-trick pony: It is optimised for air to air only. It can be used for air to ground but won’t excel in that role. It is also a large and heavy aircraft that cannot take off from the Kuznetsov with a full load of fuel and weapons. The MiG-29KR is a multi-role platform that can be used for air to air, air to ground and air to sea operations. It is cheaper to produce, maintain and operate. It is also smaller and lighter, meaning that in theory, it can take off from the Kuznetsov with a full complement of fuel and weapons. But while it is a more versatile machine, it is not as fearsome or effective as the Su-33 in the air to air role. So the Russian high command is facing a conundrum. Go for the one trick pony or for the jack of all trade ? The original plan was to ditch the Su-33 once they reach their end of life and replace them by the MiG-29K. Now, some propose to modernise the Su-33 and turn it into a multi-role platform, others offer to restart the production line of the Su-33 and operate both the Su-33 and MiG-29K, side by side.
  2. There are several Ka-52K onboard the Kuznetsov. Originally designed to serve onboard the Mistral-type ships, the naval variant of the Ka-52 was left orphaned by the French decision to block the sales of the Mistrals to Russia. Now onboard its new home, it can finally be tested. Compared to the normal Hokum, its naval sibling has a new navigation suite, a new radar and new sensors. Word on the grapevine is that should those systems work in a satisfactory fashion, they might be serially fitted to the next batch of Ka-52 being produced for the Russian air force.
  3. Don’t be fooled by the low amount of planes on the Kuznetsov. Since the Russians arrived in Syria, they have shown they can operate at a high tempo with a small amount of aircraft. All 14 jets on board can be used in the air to ground role to a level or another, with for example the Su-33 taking on targets in the open with dumb bombs and the MiG-29K taking high-value targets or targets within an urban area with smart missiles. You can also bet there are several pilots per planes onboard the Kuznetsov as this is an opportunity for the Russian naval aviation to qualify a maximum of pilots for carrier operations and a unique opportunity for all to gain experience.

 

 

ShareTweetSend

Renaud Mayers

Currently working on behalf of the Belgian Ministry of Defence, thanks to my knowledge in WWII and other areas. Working in two WWII era fortresses still belonging to the Army.

Related Posts

Red Winter for Ukraine?
Donbass/Crimea Watch

Red Winter for Ukraine?

November 28, 2021
522
HMS Defender in the Black Sea: The Disinformation War
Russia

HMS Defender in the Black Sea: The Disinformation War

June 26, 2021
197
Ukraine: What would a Russian offensive look like?
Donbass/Crimea Watch

Ukraine: What would a Russian offensive look like?

April 19, 2021
185
Post-war Germany: A tale of two armies
History

Post-war Germany: A tale of two armies

April 17, 2021
75
The Fulcrum: When it's good but it's bad
Aviation

The Fulcrum: When it’s good but it’s bad

April 16, 2021
122
Russia's military build-up along its Western border
Russia

Russia’s military build-up along its Western border

April 10, 2021
36
Next Post

Operation Red Dragon

The Coast Guard Had A Spec Ops Unit

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Books
  • Aviation
  • Land
  • Countries
  • Short Posts
  • Syrian Conflict Watch
  • Libyan Conflict Watch
  • Subscription Plans
  • Our Authors
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write For Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

Search

No Result
View All Result

Tags

Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Belgium Chechnya China Crimea CSTO Donbass Donetsk egypt EuroMaidan Foxhound Germany India Israel Kh-22 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal Kosovo Luhansk MiG-31 Moscow Nagorno-Karabakh NATO Operation Allied Force Operation Noble Anvil Pantsir S1 Russia Russian navy S-300 S-400 Soviet Union Syria T-72B T-90M Tu-95 Turkey Ukraine USA VKS Vladimir Putin WWI WWII Yugoslavia

© 2020 Defensionem - The WarBible - a reliable source of information about conflicts & weapon systems from the world over.

No Result
View All Result
  • Books
  • Short Posts
  • VIP
  • Aviation
  • Land
  • History
  • Syrian Conflict Watch
  • Sea
  • Countries
    • China
    • India
    • Middle East
    • Russia
    • South America
    • Syrian Conflict
    • United States of America (USA)
    • United Kingdom (UK)
  • About Us

© 2020 Defensionem - The WarBible - a reliable source of information about conflicts & weapon systems from the world over.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Log In ×
Forgot your Password?
Login With OTP
Resend OTP(00:30)
Don't have an account?
Signup
Resend OTP(00:30)
Back to login

Resend OTP (00:30)
Back to login
  • (+93) Afghanistan
  • (+355) Albania
  • (+213) Algeria
  • (+1) American Samoa
  • (+376) Andorra
  • (+244) Angola
  • (+1) Anguilla
  • (+1) Antigua
  • (+54) Argentina
  • (+374) Armenia
  • (+297) Aruba
  • (+61) Australia
  • (+43) Austria
  • (+994) Azerbaijan
  • (+973) Bahrain
  • (+880) Bangladesh
  • (+1) Barbados
  • (+375) Belarus
  • (+32) Belgium
  • (+501) Belize
  • (+229) Benin
  • (+1) Bermuda
  • (+975) Bhutan
  • (+591) Bolivia
  • (+599) Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
  • (+387) Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • (+267) Botswana
  • (+55) Brazil
  • (+246) British Indian Ocean Territory
  • (+1) British Virgin Islands
  • (+673) Brunei
  • (+359) Bulgaria
  • (+226) Burkina Faso
  • (+257) Burundi
  • (+855) Cambodia
  • (+237) Cameroon
  • (+1) Canada
  • (+238) Cape Verde
  • (+1) Cayman Islands
  • (+236) Central African Republic
  • (+235) Chad
  • (+56) Chile
  • (+86) China
  • (+57) Colombia
  • (+269) Comoros
  • (+682) Cook Islands
  • (+225) Côte d'Ivoire
  • (+506) Costa Rica
  • (+385) Croatia
  • (+53) Cuba
  • (+599) Curaçao
  • (+357) Cyprus
  • (+420) Czech Republic
  • (+243) Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • (+45) Denmark
  • (+253) Djibouti
  • (+1) Dominica
  • (+1) Dominican Republic
  • (+593) Ecuador
  • (+20) Egypt
  • (+503) El Salvador
  • (+240) Equatorial Guinea
  • (+291) Eritrea
  • (+372) Estonia
  • (+251) Ethiopia
  • (+500) Falkland Islands
  • (+298) Faroe Islands
  • (+691) Federated States of Micronesia
  • (+679) Fiji
  • (+358) Finland
  • (+33) France
  • (+594) French Guiana
  • (+689) French Polynesia
  • (+241) Gabon
  • (+995) Georgia
  • (+49) Germany
  • (+233) Ghana
  • (+350) Gibraltar
  • (+30) Greece
  • (+299) Greenland
  • (+1) Grenada
  • (+590) Guadeloupe
  • (+1) Guam
  • (+502) Guatemala
  • (+44) Guernsey
  • (+224) Guinea
  • (+245) Guinea-Bissau
  • (+592) Guyana
  • (+509) Haiti
  • (+504) Honduras
  • (+852) Hong Kong
  • (+36) Hungary
  • (+354) Iceland
  • (+91) India
  • (+62) Indonesia
  • (+98) Iran
  • (+964) Iraq
  • (+353) Ireland
  • (+44) Isle Of Man
  • (+972) Israel
  • (+39) Italy
  • (+1) Jamaica
  • (+81) Japan
  • (+44) Jersey
  • (+962) Jordan
  • (+7) Kazakhstan
  • (+254) Kenya
  • (+686) Kiribati
  • (+965) Kuwait
  • (+996) Kyrgyzstan
  • (+856) Laos
  • (+371) Latvia
  • (+961) Lebanon
  • (+266) Lesotho
  • (+231) Liberia
  • (+218) Libya
  • (+423) Liechtenstein
  • (+370) Lithuania
  • (+352) Luxembourg
  • (+853) Macau
  • (+389) Macedonia
  • (+261) Madagascar
  • (+265) Malawi
  • (+60) Malaysia
  • (+960) Maldives
  • (+223) Mali
  • (+356) Malta
  • (+692) Marshall Islands
  • (+596) Martinique
  • (+222) Mauritania
  • (+230) Mauritius
  • (+262) Mayotte
  • (+52) Mexico
  • (+373) Moldova
  • (+377) Monaco
  • (+976) Mongolia
  • (+382) Montenegro
  • (+1) Montserrat
  • (+212) Morocco
  • (+258) Mozambique
  • (+95) Myanmar
  • (+264) Namibia
  • (+674) Nauru
  • (+977) Nepal
  • (+31) Netherlands
  • (+687) New Caledonia
  • (+64) New Zealand
  • (+505) Nicaragua
  • (+227) Niger
  • (+234) Nigeria
  • (+683) Niue
  • (+672) Norfolk Island
  • (+850) North Korea
  • (+1) Northern Mariana Islands
  • (+47) Norway
  • (+968) Oman
  • (+92) Pakistan
  • (+680) Palau
  • (+970) Palestine
  • (+507) Panama
  • (+675) Papua New Guinea
  • (+595) Paraguay
  • (+51) Peru
  • (+63) Philippines
  • (+48) Poland
  • (+351) Portugal
  • (+1) Puerto Rico
  • (+974) Qatar
  • (+242) Republic of the Congo
  • (+40) Romania
  • (+262) Runion
  • (+7) Russia
  • (+250) Rwanda
  • (+290) Saint Helena
  • (+1) Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • (+508) Saint Pierre and Miquelon
  • (+1) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • (+685) Samoa
  • (+378) San Marino
  • (+239) Sao Tome and Principe
  • (+966) Saudi Arabia
  • (+221) Senegal
  • (+381) Serbia
  • (+248) Seychelles
  • (+232) Sierra Leone
  • (+65) Singapore
  • (+1) Sint Maarten
  • (+421) Slovakia
  • (+386) Slovenia
  • (+677) Solomon Islands
  • (+252) Somalia
  • (+27) South Africa
  • (+82) South Korea
  • (+211) South Sudan
  • (+34) Spain
  • (+94) Sri Lanka
  • (+1) St. Lucia
  • (+249) Sudan
  • (+597) Suriname
  • (+268) Swaziland
  • (+46) Sweden
  • (+41) Switzerland
  • (+963) Syria
  • (+886) Taiwan
  • (+992) Tajikistan
  • (+255) Tanzania
  • (+66) Thailand
  • (+1) The Bahamas
  • (+220) The Gambia
  • (+670) Timor-Leste
  • (+228) Togo
  • (+690) Tokelau
  • (+676) Tonga
  • (+1) Trinidad and Tobago
  • (+216) Tunisia
  • (+90) Turkey
  • (+993) Turkmenistan
  • (+1) Turks and Caicos Islands
  • (+688) Tuvalu
  • (+1) U.S. Virgin Islands
  • (+256) Uganda
  • (+380) Ukraine
  • (+971) United Arab Emirates
  • (+44) United Kingdom
  • (+1) United States
  • (+598) Uruguay
  • (+998) Uzbekistan
  • (+678) Vanuatu
  • (+58) Venezuela
  • (+84) Vietnam
  • (+681) Wallis and Futuna
  • (+212) Western Sahara
  • (+967) Yemen
  • (+260) Zambia
  • (+263) Zimbabwe
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?