Russia finally deployed Admiral Kuznetsov into the Adriatic in late December on its first "operational" deployment.

Several sources have listed its air group as 16 Sukhoi Su-27K or Su-33 Flanker D, eight SU-2, 5 UTG Frogfoot trainer/attack aircraft and ten Kamov Ka-27 antisubmarine helicopters. Other sources put the number of Flankers much lower, only 8, and about 20 Helixes, all ASW variants.

The second mix is much more likely, since other sources say that only 12 pilots have qualified for carrier ops. It is also a much more familiar mix to the Russians, after their experience with the Moskva and 166 classes.

Neither probably represents a definitive air group, since the Su-25s are not suitable naval strike aircraft, and the Ka-31 AEW Helix has not yet entered service.

How ready is she? As ready as the rest of the Russian Navy, which is short of funds and men. Recent reports have told of 10% of navy recruits being medically unfit for service. These could not be medically discharged because the Fleet is so short of men they have to take anyone they can get.

In the same vein, Petr Velikiy (Peter the Great) made her maiden voyage last year, meaning she moved from a building berth in St. Petersburg to a navy berth in Kronstadt. Final work is underway, and it is planned to commission her this year as part of the navy's 300th anniversary. Her configuration will probably have some improvements in the point defense suite over the earlier three ships, but the differences are unknown.

Reports of Iran receiving C802 missiles from China have made the national news here in the States, unusual for a weapons deal. While not as advanced as first line western SSMs, it moves the Iranian threat from a lowaltitude to a sea-skimming profile. There are reports that they are being fitted to Houdong-class missile boats purchased from China. These could carry 4 missiles. The Iranian Combattante IIBs could also carry 4, but would have to be refitted with the proper fire-control equipment. This is relatively simple, but requires cash for China.

Iran is also expanding its fortifications near the straits, adding more SAM and coast-defense missile sites. Details are scarce.

Manchester and York, both Type 42/3 guided missile destroyers, have been fitted with a new version of Sea Dart, the Mod 5. Like the US Navy's NTU upgrade, it allows them to engage steeply diving antiship missiles without penalty (In Harpoon, the crossing target modifier). It can also be safely assumed that they have an improved chance to hit, so the Mod 5 has an ATA rating of 4.5, as opposed to 4.0 for the Mod 2 version. Like the Improved Sea Dart, it is also capable of attacking seaskimmers.

WWI on WWW

I just found a dedicated Harpoon WWW site at http://www.eskimo.com. It covers the Harpoon II computer game, including FAQs and scenarios and modem naval strategy and developments. It's still under construction, and I will also be passing updates and other data to its creator.

BT