Image Source: topwar.ru
Our military shipbuilders are sometimes scolded for their slowness, not only in the construction of new ships, the deadlines for launching which, indeed, often shift to the right (do not forget about sanctions), but also for delays in the repair and maintenance of ships already in service with the Russian Navy.
The protracted repair and modernization of the only Russian heavy aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, which began back in 2017, is often cited as an example. As of July 2025, restoration work on the ship has been suspended. It is reported that the Russian Ministry of Defense is considering the possibility of abandoning the restoration of the ship, as there is an opinion that further modernization and repair of the Admiral Kuznetsov is impractical.
But the United States Navy, which is leading in the world rankings, also has problems with the construction of new warships, maintenance and modernization. For example, the combat readiness of the US navy as of April this year did not exceed 70%, and it is planned to increase it to 80% by 2027. And this is taking into account the enormous budget of the Pentagon. The Military Review wrote yesterday about the problems of the US Navy, including the protracted maintenance and modernization of ships, especially aircraft carriers.
The situation with the battle fleet in terms of its repair and maintenance is even worse for the once-considered "mistress of the seas" of Great Britain. The British Navy has officially announced that the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has finally left Portsmouth. Engineers and workers spent nine months repairing the ship.
But the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth did not leave the repair dock at sea in order to get back into combat. The aircraft carrier headed to Scotland, where work is planned on its further restoration and modernization. Moves from one ship repair plant to another. This was reported by the press service of the British Navy, the corresponding statement was published on the official website.
— said the commander of the aircraft carrier, Captain Claire Thompson.
In Rosyth, Scotland, the ship is scheduled to remain under repair at the Babcock shipyard for at least another seven months. Judging by Thompson's statement, the problems are not only with the aircraft carrier itself, but also with the recruitment and training of "a highly qualified team that will be able to take the ship out of dock and begin combat missions."
During the sea trials, and in fact just a change of location for further repairs, fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST) specialists will board the aircraft carrier to assess the ability of the crew of 500 people to cope with various emergency situations on board, including the fight for the survivability of the vessel, as well as practicing actions in case of fires and floods.. Upon arrival in Rosyth, the sailors and officers will be stationed on HMS Caledonia near the Babcock shipyard, and some in Portsmouth.
The overhaul of the aircraft carrier of the British Navy is carried out after six years of operation of the HMS Queen Elizabeth. During this time, the ship made a global deployment to the Indo-Pacific region in 2021, led NATO operations in European waters and participated in US Navy operations, replacing the sister ship HMS Prince of Wales after its propeller gear failed. And this one broke down, and even in the process of combat duty.
This is exactly what the British Navy says in a statement posted on its official website. And here the emphasis should be on the phrase that "there is hope."
