Russian task group
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,264
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From: Around
I see the USS Ponce is to be decommisioned....
what an unfortunate name...
what an unfortunate name...
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 93
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From: The Chemistry Lab
Hypothetical question
How capable is that carrier / aircraft combination? If it was parked off Syria would it be a credible threat to the much-vaunted attack on Iran - assuming the attack was from the west?
How capable is that carrier / aircraft combination? If it was parked off Syria would it be a credible threat to the much-vaunted attack on Iran - assuming the attack was from the west?
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 5,307
Likes: 18
From: Southern Europe
If even half the Russian ships listed at the TEEJ's link end up in the Eastern Med, it's a very potent force. The a/c and ship combination is good enough to take on anything else around there. I think (and I know I will get corrected) this could be the biggest gathering there since about 1983, apart from a couple of big ops. Yeah, I wouldn't underestimate it. They've come a long way since the collapse of the former Soviet Union.
Joined: Dec 2001
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 2,982
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From: The Roman Empire
CM,
So why is it "a very potent force"? I'd be interested to hear your reasoning. While I'm not trying to start an argument, from my perspective I see the following:
If you start by ignoring the carrier, that leaves 1 destroyer and a 2 frigates which between them only have short range SAM systems, along with ASW and anti ship weapons. They hardly have the capacity to dominate the airspace around them, and only have 100mm gunfire to offer in terms of effecting events ashore....
As to the carrier itself, how big an airgroup did it actually sail with, how worked up are they, capable of maintaining sustained ops, etc... When did it last spend an extended time at sea?
I would suggest this group is significantly different from a US carrier group, with 70+ combat ready aircraft, and at least one escort, probably more, with a 100nm ish SAM system...... Such a naval task force can dominate the airspace around itself.
So why is it "a very potent force"? I'd be interested to hear your reasoning. While I'm not trying to start an argument, from my perspective I see the following:
If you start by ignoring the carrier, that leaves 1 destroyer and a 2 frigates which between them only have short range SAM systems, along with ASW and anti ship weapons. They hardly have the capacity to dominate the airspace around them, and only have 100mm gunfire to offer in terms of effecting events ashore....
As to the carrier itself, how big an airgroup did it actually sail with, how worked up are they, capable of maintaining sustained ops, etc... When did it last spend an extended time at sea?
I would suggest this group is significantly different from a US carrier group, with 70+ combat ready aircraft, and at least one escort, probably more, with a 100nm ish SAM system...... Such a naval task force can dominate the airspace around itself.
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 14
From: Lincs
Russian Navy Carrier Group Entered Mediterranean
The last Morse Code weather report that I picked up was on the 26th December on 12464 Khz.
Russian Navy vessel RKO81 in contact with HQ Black Sea Fleet, Sevastopol (RCV)
12464 RCV DE RKO81 QSA ? QTC @ 1335
RKO81 BT 731 20 26 1600 731 BT SML FOR RJD38 BT
26121 99357 70017 41698 10911 10150 40306 57001 70110 81/// 23262 01170 299// 309// 4//// 88000 80000 26017 BT AR RKO81 K
Lat and long from the last three figures of the second and third groups 99357 70017
35.7N 01.7W (Off Algerian coast)
35.7N 01.7W - Google Maps
Northern Fleet (NF) aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov on Dec 23 passed Gibraltar Strait and entered the Mediterranean Sea.
Other ships of the carrier strike group passed the strait few hours earlier.
In accordance with further plans, the Russian Navy's task force consisting of NF large ASW ship Admiral Chabanenko, Baltic Fleet (BF) frigate Yaroslav Mudry, and NF tanker Sergei Osipov will pay a formal visit to Spanish port Ceuta.
Aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and other supply vessels in the nearest time will head for anchorage site in western part of the Mediterranean Sea in order to replenish the carrier's supplies.
Black Sea Fleet (BSF) frigate Ladny joined the carrier group on Friday, Dec 23.......
Other ships of the carrier strike group passed the strait few hours earlier.
In accordance with further plans, the Russian Navy's task force consisting of NF large ASW ship Admiral Chabanenko, Baltic Fleet (BF) frigate Yaroslav Mudry, and NF tanker Sergei Osipov will pay a formal visit to Spanish port Ceuta.
Aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and other supply vessels in the nearest time will head for anchorage site in western part of the Mediterranean Sea in order to replenish the carrier's supplies.
Black Sea Fleet (BSF) frigate Ladny joined the carrier group on Friday, Dec 23.......
Russian Navy vessel RKO81 in contact with HQ Black Sea Fleet, Sevastopol (RCV)
12464 RCV DE RKO81 QSA ? QTC @ 1335
RKO81 BT 731 20 26 1600 731 BT SML FOR RJD38 BT
26121 99357 70017 41698 10911 10150 40306 57001 70110 81/// 23262 01170 299// 309// 4//// 88000 80000 26017 BT AR RKO81 K
Lat and long from the last three figures of the second and third groups 99357 70017
35.7N 01.7W (Off Algerian coast)
35.7N 01.7W - Google Maps
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 5,307
Likes: 18
From: Southern Europe
SAMXXV,
Some people choose to use the anonimity that this site permits, for sound reasons. I choose not to be anon because I have no reason to be. The identities of any posters should not be the subject of speculation of other members. Quite what you're trying to acheive by your speculation is anyone's guess. People join the forum all the time, it is not for us to try to guess who they are, especially in public.
Courtney
Some people choose to use the anonimity that this site permits, for sound reasons. I choose not to be anon because I have no reason to be. The identities of any posters should not be the subject of speculation of other members. Quite what you're trying to acheive by your speculation is anyone's guess. People join the forum all the time, it is not for us to try to guess who they are, especially in public.
Courtney
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 5,307
Likes: 18
From: Southern Europe
TEEEJ, Great update, thank you.
Biggus, sorry, I wasn't ignoring your point, just caught up in Christmas. My speculation was more about all the ships that are at sea at the moment and wondering how many of them may end up in the region. The list looked like a lot of Russian hardware COULD make it to the Eastern Med (or further east) in reasonably short order. Just speculating.
Courtney
Biggus, sorry, I wasn't ignoring your point, just caught up in Christmas. My speculation was more about all the ships that are at sea at the moment and wondering how many of them may end up in the region. The list looked like a lot of Russian hardware COULD make it to the Eastern Med (or further east) in reasonably short order. Just speculating.
Courtney
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 837
Likes: 0
From: Torquay, England
This is another thread where 'Mossad' is removing my posts so instead of posting a link I will copy and paste some text.. This battle group was deployed to sail to Syria. It has always been planned to go there and I guess we can all understand why but here is the nitty gritty:
It will be interesting to see how long this post remains 'on station' 
or should that be 
Originally Posted by RT.com
Moscow is deploying warships at its base in the Syrian port of Tartus. The long-planned mission comes, providentially, at the very moment when it could help prevent a potential conflict in the strategically important Middle Eastern country.
*The Russian battle group will consist of three vessels led by the heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser, Admiral Kuznetsov.
Russian military officials insist that the move has no connection with the ongoing crisis in the region and was planned a year ago, the Izvestia newspaper reports. Apart from Syria, the aircraft carrier and its escort ships are set to visit the Lebanese capital, Beirut, Genoa in Italy and Cyprus, says the former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Viktor Kravchenko.
Nevertheless, he added that the presence of a military force other than NATO’s is very useful for this region, because “it will prevent the outbreak of an armed conflict,” Izvestia quoted Kravchenko as saying.
The Soviet Union, the Admiral recalled, created a special naval squadron to deter Western military forces in the Mediterranean Sea. To repair and supply its ships, Moscow needed its own maintenance base in the region, and that was how the base in Tartus came into being.
At present, the base is mostly used to support vessels of Russia’s Black Sea fleet. Some 600 military and civilian personnel of the Defense Ministry serve there.
*The Russian battle group will consist of three vessels led by the heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser, Admiral Kuznetsov.
Russian military officials insist that the move has no connection with the ongoing crisis in the region and was planned a year ago, the Izvestia newspaper reports. Apart from Syria, the aircraft carrier and its escort ships are set to visit the Lebanese capital, Beirut, Genoa in Italy and Cyprus, says the former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Viktor Kravchenko.
Nevertheless, he added that the presence of a military force other than NATO’s is very useful for this region, because “it will prevent the outbreak of an armed conflict,” Izvestia quoted Kravchenko as saying.
The Soviet Union, the Admiral recalled, created a special naval squadron to deter Western military forces in the Mediterranean Sea. To repair and supply its ships, Moscow needed its own maintenance base in the region, and that was how the base in Tartus came into being.
At present, the base is mostly used to support vessels of Russia’s Black Sea fleet. Some 600 military and civilian personnel of the Defense Ministry serve there.
or should that be
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 14
From: Lincs
No problem, Courtney. A further update.
The Russian Navy Morse weather reports have continued on a regular basis. The ships have remained mainly off the coast of Algeria. Some of the vessels conducted a port visit to Cueta, Spain.
Transmission from the 29th December for ships RAL46, RKO81 and RAL65. Some of the vessels are now moving further east into the Mediterranean.
29th December. Ship RAL46
12464 RMP DE RAL46 QSA ? QTC K @1244
RAL46 455 16 29 1620 455 BT FOR RJH74 RJH45 BT
29121 99372 10002 41598 30604 10160 40283 53008 70100 8311/ 22213 307// 41603 29013 BT AR RAL46 K
RAL46 OK QRU K
37.2 00.2
37.2 00.2 - Google Maps
29th December. Ship RKO81
8345 RMP DE RKO81 QSA ? QTC K @1801
RMP DE RKO81 QSA ? QTC K @1803
RKO81 375 18 29 2200 375 BT SML FOR RJD38 BT
29181 99381 10032 41598 23407 10145 40266 54000 70200 82111 22212 0010. 29920 88000 80000 29015 BT AR RKO81 K
RKO81 QRU K
From last three figures of second and third groups 99381 10032
38.1 03.2
38.1 03.2 - Google Maps
29th December Ship RAL65
8345 RIW DE RAL65 911 17 29 0411 911 BT
FOR RJH45 RJE73 RJH74 BT
29101 99357 70025 41/98 92706 10150 40375 54000 70222 89/// 22262 00140 20302 29013 BT RAL65 K
From last three figures of second and third groups.
35.7 02.5
35.7N 02.5W - Google Maps
Image links of the following ships.
RFS Admiral Chabanenko, Cueta, Spain
ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting
RFS Yaroslav Mudry, Cueta Spain
ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting
The Russian Navy Morse weather reports have continued on a regular basis. The ships have remained mainly off the coast of Algeria. Some of the vessels conducted a port visit to Cueta, Spain.
Transmission from the 29th December for ships RAL46, RKO81 and RAL65. Some of the vessels are now moving further east into the Mediterranean.
29th December. Ship RAL46
12464 RMP DE RAL46 QSA ? QTC K @1244
RAL46 455 16 29 1620 455 BT FOR RJH74 RJH45 BT
29121 99372 10002 41598 30604 10160 40283 53008 70100 8311/ 22213 307// 41603 29013 BT AR RAL46 K
RAL46 OK QRU K
37.2 00.2
37.2 00.2 - Google Maps
29th December. Ship RKO81
8345 RMP DE RKO81 QSA ? QTC K @1801
RMP DE RKO81 QSA ? QTC K @1803
RKO81 375 18 29 2200 375 BT SML FOR RJD38 BT
29181 99381 10032 41598 23407 10145 40266 54000 70200 82111 22212 0010. 29920 88000 80000 29015 BT AR RKO81 K
RKO81 QRU K
From last three figures of second and third groups 99381 10032
38.1 03.2
38.1 03.2 - Google Maps
29th December Ship RAL65
8345 RIW DE RAL65 911 17 29 0411 911 BT
FOR RJH45 RJE73 RJH74 BT
29101 99357 70025 41/98 92706 10150 40375 54000 70222 89/// 22262 00140 20302 29013 BT RAL65 K
From last three figures of second and third groups.
35.7 02.5
35.7N 02.5W - Google Maps
Image links of the following ships.
RFS Admiral Chabanenko, Cueta, Spain
ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting
RFS Yaroslav Mudry, Cueta Spain
ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 14
From: Lincs
No problem, Scuttled! Thanks.
Ship, callsign RAL65, has now left the Mediterranean and is heading north off the coast of Portugal.
12464 RIW DE RAL65 QSA ? QTC K @ 1238
RAL65 641 16 31 1602 641 BT FOR RJH45 RJH74 BT
31121 99406 70111 41498 72707 10190 40430 52015 70322 873// 22212 00110 20302 31013 BT AR RAL65 K
From the last three figures of the second and third groups 99406 70111
40.6N 11.1W
40.6N 11.1W - Google Maps
Currently at Valletta, Malta is the RSF Ladny (Frigate) and RFS Sergei Osipov (Oiler)
From
Malta Ship & Action Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli
January 2012
i) On Monday 2nd January, 2012 the Russian Navy (Project 1135) Krivak Class Frigate RFS LADNY 801 is leaving Malta from alongside RFS SERGEI OSIPOV at Parlatorio Wharf, Palumbo Malta Shipyard Ltd.
ii) On Monday 2nd January, 2012 the Russian Navy (Project 1559/1593) Boris Chilikin class Fleet Oiler RFS SERGEI OSIPOV is leaving Malta from Parlatorio Wharf, Palumbo Malta Shipyard Ltd.
Ship, callsign RAL65, has now left the Mediterranean and is heading north off the coast of Portugal.
12464 RIW DE RAL65 QSA ? QTC K @ 1238
RAL65 641 16 31 1602 641 BT FOR RJH45 RJH74 BT
31121 99406 70111 41498 72707 10190 40430 52015 70322 873// 22212 00110 20302 31013 BT AR RAL65 K
From the last three figures of the second and third groups 99406 70111
40.6N 11.1W
40.6N 11.1W - Google Maps
Currently at Valletta, Malta is the RSF Ladny (Frigate) and RFS Sergei Osipov (Oiler)
From
Malta Ship & Action Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli
January 2012
i) On Monday 2nd January, 2012 the Russian Navy (Project 1135) Krivak Class Frigate RFS LADNY 801 is leaving Malta from alongside RFS SERGEI OSIPOV at Parlatorio Wharf, Palumbo Malta Shipyard Ltd.
ii) On Monday 2nd January, 2012 the Russian Navy (Project 1559/1593) Boris Chilikin class Fleet Oiler RFS SERGEI OSIPOV is leaving Malta from Parlatorio Wharf, Palumbo Malta Shipyard Ltd.