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A bit more of the Syrian delegation visit to the Russian carrier at the following link. It includes some Su-33 Flanker footage. Link to Russian news video Russian Navy vessel callsign RAL65 left the Mediterranean, passed through the English Channel and is currently off Norway. Intially it was thought that RAL65 was the Admiral Chabanenko returning home early, but it turned out to be dodgy information from a Russian forum. The Admiral Chabanenko was one of the vessels that visited Tartus, Syria. RAL65 is possibly a Northern Fleet intelligence collection vessel that was active in the Mediterranean before the Task Force deployed? Rumour control has it as the RFS Kildin, a Moma Class Intelligence Collector, returning to the Northern Fleet? For a period RAL65 was hove to in the Moray Firth. RFS Kildin no 2 - 15.08.2011 - Malta Ship & Action Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli 58.1N 02.7W - Google Maps As of 12 GMT today RAL65 was off Norway and sending weather via Morse Code to HQ Northern Fleet (RIT). 8345 Khz RIT DE RAL65 QSA ? QTC K @ 1234 RAL65 195 16 14 1615 195 BT FOR RJH45 RJH74 BT 14121 99616 10037 41/97 92210 10070 40335 54005 74724 89/// 22213 00040 20403 14013 BT AR RAL65 K Lat and long from the last three figures of the second and third groups. 61.6N 03.7E 61.6N 03.7E - Google Maps 22213 1= Heading North East 3 = 11-15 Knots The two other vessels RKO81 and RAL46 are currently in the Mediterranean. 14th January 18 GMT RKO81 sending weather to HQ Baltic Fleet (RMP). 8345 Khz RMP DE RKO81 QSA ? QTC K @1838 RKO81 202 19 14 2200 202 BT SML FOR RJD38 BT 14181 99379 10093 41598 62908 10140 40166 54000 70222 86128 22273 10160 20403 330// 88000 80000 14016 BT AR RKO81 K Lat and long from the last three figures of the second and third groups. 37.9N 09.3E 37.9N 09.3E - Google Maps 22273 7 = Heading North West 3 = 11-15 Knots 14th January 00 GMT RAL46 37.1N 11.7E 37.1N 11.7E - Google Maps Heading South East at 11-15 kts. Full weather and oceanographic data format at the following link. http://www.vos.noaa.gov/ObsHB-508/Ob..._compliant.pdf The Frigate Yaroslav Mudry is due to make a port call in Ceuta, Spain on 16th of January. 16 Jan 12 RFS Yaroslav Mudryy 727 Ceuta From Port Visits December 11 | SEAWAVES Magazine Frigate Ladny, which was part of the group that visited Syria, has left the Task Force and should be in Sevastopol, Black Sea. Frigate Ladny Returns from Deployment |
I understand that some vessels retuns to main base like Frigate Ladny or Mudry?
Admiral Kuznetsov is still in Mediterranean. |
Streetwise Professor: The Hardware Ain’t So Hot Either
The Russian “aircraft carrier”–and crucially, its trusty tugboat–reached Syria, where the flotilla received a warm welcome from the besieged Assad regime. Pavel Felgenhauer’s description makes it plain that scare quotes I routinely use in reference to the Kuznetsov are more than warranted: The Kuznetsov is a 60,000 ton ship that may carry an air wing of up to 50, including some 26 jets and 24 helicopters. On its present voyage the Kuznetsov’s majestic flight deck is almost empty – only eight Su-33 fighters and two Ka-27S helicopters for search and rescue missions, if any Su-33s are lost (Interfax, November 30). Not only is the present Kuznetsov air wing minuscule, it entirely lacks anti-submarine Ka-27 PLO helicopters and even more importantly – Ka-27RLD (Ka-31) early warning flying radars. Without any long-range radar capability, the Kuznetsov is not a combat ship, but a sitting duck – a large, uncomfortable and rusty tourist ship. The Su-33 fighters are not produced any more, so the Kuznetsov is now carrying the last flight worthy Su-33s and they will soon be mothballed after the carrier returns to port within two weeks. Meaning that the Kuznetsov’s little tugboat that could, the Nikolai Chiker, is arguably the most important vessel in the Russian fleet.The Kuznetsov’s main steam turbine engine has been breaking down constantly during the ship’s service, which began in 1992. The Kuznetsov has been a largely immobile and useless ship with three major shipyard repair periods lasting over six years since 1996. The sea salvage tug Nikolai Chiker is shadowing the Kuznetsov during its present tour to tow the hapless carrier back home if the main engine breaks down again. After completing its last voyage the Kuznetsov will be disarmed and go to the Severodvinsk shipyard for a major refitting that is officially planned to last until 2017 or end later – if ever (NVO, April 22, 2011). Su-33 production has been terminated, so the Kuznetsov must be refitted to carry MiG-29K fighter jets being developed for India. The Kuznetsov’s main anti-ship weapon, the supersonic Granit cruise missile, is also out of production and must be replaced. The main engine must be replaced – the carrier will be virtually gutted to the bare hull and rebuilt from scratch. When it ever sails again, al-Assad will be long forgotten history. I doubt that the refit mentioned in the above quotewill go any better than the overhaul of another Russian “carrier”, the Gorshkov. It was sold to the Indians, but the overhaul in a Russian yard went billions (dollars, not rubles rupees) over budget, and years over schedule. |
Confirms what I was saying about this carrier and would scrapping this ship be a better option and start with a clean sheet?
I must confess I was not used to using AIS to locate warships as disclosing a position is something they very rarely make public. It was a surprise to locate the Nikolai Chiker but I see she is now 'out of Range' and has been since leaving the area off of the coast of Cyprus at the end of last year. |
No longer out of range - she is showing up 30 miles East of Malta.
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Thanks Lonsdale,
I'm guessing they switched it off whilst she was operating in the area of Syria? (question) |
There appears to be no public AIS monitors along the Syrian coast. The online maps and plots are only provided by a network a network of fans / spotters and aren't official. Somehow I think conditions in Syria may not be conducive to providng such a service - its rather likely to be misinterpreted by the authorities.
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Update on the Russian Navy Task Force.
Ship RAL65 is now nearing home port in the Northern Fleet. 17 January @ 18 GMT Morse transmission to HQ Northern Fleet. 8345 RIT DE RAL65 QSA ? QTC K @1805 RAL65 745 16 17 2203 745 BT FOR RJH45 RJH74 BT 17181 99711 10302 41/98 82211 10000 40230 52010 70222 89/// 22233 00030 20503 17013 BT AR RAL65 K 71.1N 30.2E Heading South East at 11-15 Knots. 71.1N 30.2E - Google Maps RFS Sergei Osipov is due to visit Malta on the 18th January. Malta Ship & Action Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli Tug Nikolay Chiker is underway and was east of Malta. It was anchored up at 35°47.16' N 14°52.84'E. It appears to be going out of AIS range? 35°47.16'N 14°52.84'E - Google Maps Ship RAL46 has not been active in Morse for a couple of days. Ship RKO81 has been moving towards the Strait of Gibraltar and transmitting weather in Morse. As of 17 January RKO81 was at 36.2N 03.5W and heading South West at 11-15 Knots. 36.2N 03.5W - Google Maps Some video footage from the Mediterranean showing Flanker training off the Kuznetsov. Link to video The girls and guys on QRA will probably be kept busy in the next few weeks? Possibly an exercise involving the return journey of the Naval Task Force? Strategic aviation will resume patrols of the Russian Air Force in late January Strategic Aviation Air Force (IAF), the Russian Federation in late January to resume air patrols in areas Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific Oceans, as well as the waters of Black Sea coast, the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said on Air Force Col. Vladimir Drik. In early September, the Japanese authorities have expressed concern about the patrols of the airspace in the Pacific Ocean by long-range Tu-95MS bombers the Russian Air Force. Later, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Army General Nikolai Makarov told reporters that Russia will not abandon the safety of strategic Russian Air Force, "in spite of the notes in some countries." He stressed that the Russian Air Force while always observed and respected international laws governing such flights. "Since the end of January 2012 long-range aviation crews continue to perform tasks on the air patrolling the Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific oceans, the waters of the Black Sea coast and along the routes along the borders of the Commonwealth of Independent States, carrying out missions as a baseline, and with operational airfields , "- said Drik. He added that in 2012 the personnel of the air bases for long-range aircraft will take part in exercise "Kavkaz-2012" and "Peace Mission 2012". Google translation from a Russian link. |
Hi TEEEJ,
Where is Tug Nikolay Chiker? Is it active in morse? You say it was anchored up at 35°47.16' N 14°52.84'E, and now? |
Chiker is currently at 35:50:48N 014:56:47E which is around 20NM East of Malta. She has been there for several days in a racetrack pattern currently 249 at 7kts. All info from AIS.
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GAVRO
AIS is at Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions you just need to plug "chiker" into the ship's name search field |
Hi GAVRO,
No Morse noted from Nikolay Chiker. As already posted the location for Chiker is from AIS. Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions Three new Russian Navy ships made landfall on Tuesday in Ceuta, Spain. Ceuta's port reopens its doors to the Russian navy ships Tuesday. After passing through the city in December, three of the six ships that arrived in that time scale and will be repeated in the city a few days to conclude their work supplies...... Yaroslav Mudry, Lena and Sergei Osipov ...... elpueblodeceuta.es The Ceuta article mentions RFS Sergei Osipov. It appears to be in error as the vessel made a port visit to Malta. On Saturday 21st January 2012 the Russian Navy Boris Chilikhin Class oiler RFS SERGEI OSIPOV is leaving Malta from Parlatorio Wharf, Palumbo Malta Shipyard Ltd assisted by 2 tugs. Update on the Morse transmissions. Callsign RIR98 is still transmitting weather from just off Tartus, Syria. It is probably the floating worshop or repair ship? 34.9N 35.8E Heading - Hove to 34.9N 35.8E - Google Maps Callsign RCJG appeared yesterday and is transmitting weather from just off Sevastopol. 44.6N 33.3E Heading - Hove to 44.6N 33.3E - Google Maps Russian Navy ship, callsign RKO81, is now heading east after positioning near to the Strait of Gibraltar. RKO81 positions from Morse weather reports. 18th January 18 GMT. 36.1N 04.6W Heading North East at 11-15 Knots 36.1N 04.6W - Google Maps 19th January 00 GMT 36.3N 03.2W Heading North East at 11-15 Knots 36.3N 03.2W - Google Maps 19th January 06 GMT 36.4N 01.6W Heading North East at 11-15 Knots 36.4N 01.6W - Google Maps 19th January 12 GMT 36.7N 00.2W Heading North East at 11-15 Knots 36.7N 00.2W - Google Maps 19th January 18 GMT 36.9N 01.5E 36.9N 01.5E - Google Maps 20th January 06 GMT 37.3N 04.6E Heading North East at 11-15 Knots 37.3N 04.6E - Google Maps 20th January 12 GMT 37.6N 6.2E 37.6N 6.2E - Google Maps 20th January 18 GMT 37.8N 07.7E Heading North East at 6-10 Knots 37.8N 07.7E - Google Maps 21st January 00 GMT 37.9N 08.7E Heading North East at 6-10 Knots 37.9N 08.7E - Google Maps |
Gawd...................
Isn't there a ship spotters forum somewhere for you lot? |
Great work again TEEEJ.
I am looking for a HF radio receiver online! |
pr00ne
The Task Force is based around the Carrier Kuznetsov, so it is aviation related. If it was just a non-carrier deployment then it wouldn't be so interesting and not relevant to the forum. Some people on the forum seem interested so I continued with the updates. I suppose if it annoys you then simply don't click on a thread that has the title Russian task group! It should be left to the Mods/Admin if the thread should be moved or is not relevant. No problem, GAVRO Ship RCJG is now underway in the Black Sea. Possibly deploying to the Mediterranean and might link up with the Task Force? I'll update if she passes through the Turkish Straits. 21st January 12 GMT RCJG 43.9N 32.7E Heading South West at 6-10 Knots 43.9N 32.7E - Google Maps 21st January 06 GMT RKO81 37.8N 09.8E Heading North East at 6-10 Knots 37.8N 09.8E - Google Maps |
I for one am very grateful for the updates, TEEEJ. Your point about it being a carrier is spot on. Pr00ne may have been making a slightly different point, but that's fine too.
Thanks, all, for a good debate, including the running int on where they are and the carrier's capability. Courtney |
RCJG could be another russian ship....
TEEEJ you have radio trafic in morse with RCJG, what frequency? RAL46 has not been active in Morse for a couple of days, you have news? I search a radio receiver online to listen this comunnication, do you know one, TEEEJ? |
Have a look here for the identity of RCJG.
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No problem, Courtney. Thanks.
GAVRO, Sorry for the late reply. If you want a faster response then please feel free to PM me. It will register on my e-mail. RCJG transmits during the 12 GMT hour on 12464 Khz. RKO81 transmits during the 00, 06, 12 and 18 GMT hours on 8345 Khz. Sometimes uses 12464 Khz at 12 GMT RAL46 has just reappeared sending weather. Noted at the same times and frequencies as RKO81. They have been noted to transmit over the top of each other. Try Global Tuners. GlobalTuners - On-line remotely controlled tuners lonsdale2, Superb. Thanks for that! :ok: A quick update on the Morse transmissions. 23rd January 18 GMT RKO81 37.5N 11.1E Heading North West at 11-15 Knots 37.5N 11.1E - Google Maps 23rd January 18 GMT RAL46 36.5N 13.9E Heading North West at 11-15 Knots 36.5N 13.9E - Google Maps 23rd January 12 GMT RCJG 40.8N 28.1E Heading South West at 6-10 Knots 40.8N 28.1E - Google Maps |
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