A fleet without ships: Russian shipbuilding is reaching its end

Russia’s shipbuilding program is failing: a shortage of components, outdated projects, and sanctions are crippling the industry.

The Russian military shipbuilding industry is in a critical state, despite the Kremlin’s attempts to maintain the appearance of active work. This was stated by Dmitry Pletenchuk, spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy.

According to him, Russian shipbuilding is facing a number of systemic problems. Among the key reasons:

• wear and tear of the production base and the use of obsolete projects;

• critical dependence on imported components, in particular engines;

• cessation of supplies of gas turbine units from the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv after 2014, which disrupted the series of ships – some of which Russia was forced to sell unfinished to India, which was already independently purchasing engines from Ukraine.

Even in priority series, such as small missile ships, Russia is able to deliver only one unit per year. The situation is aggravated by problems with Chinese and domestic power plants.

The fulfillment of state defense orders in shipbuilding does not exceed 70%, and the average delay is more than 10 years.

In addition, sanctions, strikes by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on port infrastructure, weak logistics, worn-out ports and docks are completely paralyzing the industry. Formally, it still exists, but functions only on paper, Pletenchuk concluded.

Earlier, USM wrote that the Russian Ministry of Defense is suing the shipyard for unbuilt frigates.