Hawk: mate you make a good case but you have to remember this was built in the Black Sea, the only legal way the Russians could get it out through the Bosporus was by calling it a Crusier and proving it, thus having the weapons fit of siad type. Under international law No battle ships or Aircraft Carriers are allowed to transit the Turkish waters of the Bosporus, other typs may but only after giving advanced notice.
Varyag was called a carrier under international law, but since she had no rudder or engine she was just a barge (A very large barge at that), and the Turks allowed it through simply because it was under tow as a barge.
If the Russians were smart, they would improve facilities over on their Pacific coast, in Vladivostok, then they wouldn’t have these problems. Then again look at the Italian carrier, she has SSM’s on either side of her aft quaters, should she get ride of them? Personally I’ve always felt that a carrier should have some self fighting ability in her and not rely solely on her deployed a/c.
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