Soviet Union 1991

January 1994 was destined to be no ordinary month. After just experiencing the crisis in Yugoslavia, the Soviet Union ushered in a second major event. The aircraft carrier Ulyanovsk was launched.

After six years of construction, the Ulyanovsk aircraft carrier finally held a launching ceremony on the morning of January 27, 1994. This is the second historic development milestone of the Soviet Navy after the Varyag. Ulyanovsk, the Soviet Union's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, also symbolizes the true arrival of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier era.

As early as 1991, when the armament reduction plan was being reduced, there were intense political discussions on whether to continue building the Ulyanovsk. Some people believed that such a costly aircraft carrier project should be shelved first until there was enough Let’s discuss this matter again when we talk about funding. After all, reducing defense spending at that time had become the mainstream view for everyone.

But Yanayev defied all opinions. He believed that aircraft carriers are the symbol and soul of a country's navy. When everyone in the conference room unanimously opposed it, he said, "The United States has already served a considerable number of Minitz-class nuclear weapons." Powered aircraft carriers provide protection for the United States’ maritime hegemony, but where are our nuclear-powered aircraft carriers? They have been ahead of us for more than ten years, and are they still falling behind?”

Yanayev did not want such a historic landmark to stay in a Ukrainian shipyard forever. That's why he made the determination to build Ulyanovsk no matter how hard it was, and because of this, it's incredible that Ulyanovsk can continue to build it when the strategic missile project has been cut in half. One thing.

Yanayev braved the cold winter weather. Also go to the shipyard to see this unique aircraft carrier. The aircraft carrier that was taken off the platform at the Black Sea Shipyard is undergoing final inspection. The Ulyanovsk, which is only 300 meters long, is undoubtedly a huge monster, giving people an unparalleled shock. Not to mention the displacement of 60,000 tons, even walking on the deck in strong winds and waves is like walking on flat ground.

It has 4 KN-3-43 nuclear reactors, 4 steam turbines, 4-axis propulsion, can accommodate 70 carrier-based aircraft, the most advanced radar electronic equipment, and the Myth satellite reconnaissance system. It can be said that this aircraft carrier embodies the crystallization of the Soviet Ministry of Defense Industry. Only such a powerful and great country can complete it.

After the construction in Ulyanovsk, face your own great masterpiece. Captain Kamarov shed tears of relief.

Most importantly, this is the Soviet Union's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and it also symbolizes an important sign of breaking the Western nuclear-powered aircraft carrier technology monopoly. Yanayev stood on the deck. Thousands of thoughts. Apparently this aircraft carrier was eventually equipped with a catapult device. Gorshkov's long-cherished wish before his death was also realized. He who strongly advocated the installation of ejection devices at that time was still thinking even at the moment when his life was about to end, "If we do not provide our carrier-based aircraft with the ability to eject and take off, , we, this group of people, will not be forgiven by history.”

"The carrier-based aircraft after ejection takeoff will have greater weapon mounting capacity, and more importantly, it can increase the combat radius of the aircraft. Ejection takeoff may cause sway and vibration to the aircraft carrier, and the pilot will also be more vulnerable when being ejected. It’s uncomfortable, but in order to obtain better combat performance, all these disadvantages must be overcome.”

This was also the most typical counterargument that there was no need to build a catapult device on an aircraft carrier at that time. Although the aircraft carrier ejection test flight test has not yet been carried out, Yanayev believes that a larger combat radius may be necessary. So there is nothing wrong with installing an ejection device.

"Is it my illusion or something else? Why do I feel that every time a Soviet aircraft carrier is launched, an old aircraft carrier will be sold?" Defense Minister Yazov said with emotion, standing next to Yanayev. , "Last time Varyag was launched, two Kiev-class aircraft carriers were sold. Now the Soviet Union already has two truly conventionally powered aircraft carriers and one nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. As long as we build one more aircraft carrier, then we can Maintain the strength of four aircraft carriers.”

"Comrade Yazov, let's take a guess, will the Indians come to us again to buy Kiev-class aircraft carriers?" Yanayev said jokingly, "After all, they really like our retired aircraft carriers that we 'sold at a bargain price.'"

"I hope so." Yazov said with emotion, "After all, there are still two ships in our hands, and the money spent on daily basic maintenance is a nightmare for us."

An aircraft carrier is such a thing. It does not cost a lot of money to maintain if you smash it into your hands. Pulling it out for service will cost more money to maintain. No matter how you do it, it will be a gold-swallowing monster.

"Otherwise, aircraft carriers are one of the important symbols that test a country's strength. I think Washington would have another headache."

Then Yanayev changed the subject, "But the most important thing now is to find more port bases for the Soviet Navy. I don't think that for us, there are only a handful of ice-free ports that can be used for many years. "?" This is the most troubled question for Yanayev. The alpine zone of the Soviet Union not only caused problems for the growth of crops, but also restricted the development of the navy.

He once had a bold idea, which was to establish a large-scale naval base in the Southern Kuril Islands to serve as a midway supply station for Soviet aircraft carriers. Of course, the result of this approach is to completely break off diplomatic relations with Japan, which has just improved relations with itself, and will also attract the intervention of the US Navy.

At that time, there will be another ocean confrontation crisis, but the vigorous development of the Soviet navy is bound to conflict with the interests of the United States. It is only a matter of time. There is still a long way to go for a land-first country to slowly begin to pay attention to the role of the ocean.

"If we really want to build a naval aircraft carrier fleet that can reach all parts of the world, then it is very necessary to establish military bases overseas. From the Far East to the Pacific, and even the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, I hope to see to the figure of the Soviet steel giant.”

The ambition was so great that Yanayev's dream of reviving the Soviet Union was not complete until he annexed all four oceans into his own hands. Mario, who had the same ambition as Yanayev, began to panic inexplicably after seeing Ulyanovsk going into the water.

Although National Security Advisor Lake repeatedly emphasized to him that the Soviet aircraft carrier would be the first to enter service in the North Sea Fleet, and that their aircraft carrier would undergo a long period of debugging, Mario still regarded the launch of the Soviet nuclear-powered aircraft carrier as a threat to the United States. A provocation for maritime hegemony.

"They cannot threaten our interests in the Pacific, Mr. President." Lake reluctantly advised him, "According to historical tradition, the Soviet Union's new aircraft carriers will generally be the first to serve in the Northern Fleet to maintain their Arctic Circle backyard, and In response to pressure from Europe, the Ulyanovsk will not directly conflict with us, but with the Arctic interests of our allies, such as the European Union and Canada.”

"But we can use this time to continue to transform the encirclement, increase investment in Japan, and make it the first obstacle to the Soviet Union's advance to the Pacific. With this one hand, we can lock the Pacific Fleet in Okhotsk Then we can take advantage of this period to vigorously develop our naval power and strive to build more aircraft carriers than half of the Soviet Union. In this way, the Soviet Union, which only has half the naval power, will not be our opponent in any case. "

Lake's suggestion was so useful to Mario that he nodded from time to time to express his affirmation. Of course, the large-scale construction of aircraft carriers was such a militaristic method, but the President of the United States did not expect that it would have a negative impact on the domestic sluggish economy. What a terrible blow.

But Mario, who was bent on containing the development of the Soviet Union, would not care about these things. The only thing he cared about was that the United States did not have enough aircraft carriers and had to continue building them. They will not stop until the entire world is filled with American aircraft carriers, forcing the Soviet Union to have no place to stand.

"But he can only challenge our status as the United States, but he cannot shake our dominance."

"With the exception of the U.S. Navy, which is the only one in the entire planet, we will never allow a second challenger!" (To be continued.)