The host of one of Russia’s main fleets until the secession of Crimea, calling Ukraine’s own navy a mess would be an understatement. Built around aging Soviet hand-me-downs, the ships they did have largely defected along with Crimea.
Indeed, while they have some small attack boats and the like, it would be fair to classify Ukraine’s entire “navy” as one ship, the Hetman Sahaydachnyy, their flagship, which is in the process of being repaired and refitted. Even this ship is just a frigate, but apart from coastal patrol boats and tug boats, it is what’s left.
Ukrainian Navy Commander Vice Admiral Ihor Voronchenko is playing up the repairs and upgrades to their ship as the beginning of a major increase in capacity which will allow them to “counter Russia” in the Black Sea. The US is bankrolling part of this effort with $30 million in aid.
By contrast, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet includes four Frigates, a guided missile destroyer, and an even larger guided missile cruiser, the Moskva, which is roughly four times the size of Ukraine’s ship. Beyond that, Russia has half a dozen submarines in the Black Sea, along with the usual smaller boats.
NATO in general and the US in particular have talked up their desire to counter Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, but the Ukrainian Navy seems far from a realistic counter in and of itself, and the US funding appears primarily aimed at buying more influence with the Ukrainian government than at trying to develop their ship as a serious fighting force.
$30 million is enough for A) 20% of a new ship (which could be sunk at will by a Russian sub) or B) one Gulf-of-Tonkin style incident staged for an existing rust bucket.
Wow. That might pay for a few speed boats.
Ukraine navy? 30 million dollars? For what?New money to be pocketed by Poroshenko,Shakashvilli and comp.
the Ukrainian navy will now consist of a single f35 with one wing and no engine.
$30 million? That will buy half of a PT boat, or 300 new Mercedes-Benzes for the ukrainian leadership.
30 million for Ukraine, 30 billion for “Israel”. Mama plays favorites.
Speaking of relevant sea power in the Black Sea is a bit 1914-ish. Nowadays any ship dragging itself through the water around there is a crawling target for airplanes and/or guides missiles launched from land. An aging Granit antiship missile can reach halfway across the Black Sea.
More money down the toilet. But, hey; we got plenty!
What a waste of money! This must be a crony of the establishment to get this morsel as a contract. What will be the use of navy for Ukraine to confront Russia! What a joke. Money is needed to patch up worn out US ships and aircraft that now for 15 years have put a lots of wear and tear due to mileage.
Ukraine a naval power to counter Russia? Just one word of caution. The longer this charade of Ukraine lasts, and the longer the Nazi clowns of Galicia rule the entire country, play educators of Ukrainian language that is in reality a dialect — the worse the backlash will be. In the aftermath of the “revolution” a large number of Ukrainian ships turned themselves to Russia, and the newly appointed head of Naval forces, defected to Russia. If this circus, plus a calamitous worsening of the economy continues — you will see at least seven regions of Ukraine demand to be united with Russia, to escape the insanity of the Alice in Wonderland state. The Red King, with the appropriately big head, seems to have a formula just the one practiced in the imaginary kingdom. He is surrounded by misfits, and the more weird the better. In reality, many other assets of that state will be turned over gladly and with enthusiasm to Russia — so, no gifts please. This is by now a secret dream of most Ukrainians — to be reunited with Russia, and let the Galicia go — wherever, and to whoever. Anybody can have it for asking, as it is bringing nothing but a disaster after disaster to the whole country. I am just wondering how long will it last. After all, once the contract for pipeline expires, and Turkish stream begins, Europe will need to make a decision — their choice. But Russia — is not entirely abandoning the aging pipeline system, can just reduce the flow if Europe is sufficiently persuasive to keep at least some gas flowing through Ukraine, a stop-gap measure until Europe wakes up to the need to connect to Turkey’s growing hub of various intersecting pipelines. And it can continue to bash Turkey over various freedoms. Yes, Europe should have the total freedom to purchase gas — from anywhere in the global market. So, why prop up Ukraine to force Russia to sell them gas — as if Russia has no right to decide how and where it will ship its energy? Europe has lost it. Everything else is just a consequence.