MOSCOW,
Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Russia didn't plan to build aircraft carriers before
2020 but was going to further develop its Bulava intercontinental ballistic
missile, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdykov said Friday.
The minister also told reporters that the country would purchase more
Mi-35 helicopters and other types of combat vehicles.
So far, no money has been allocated for aircraft carrier programs
until 2020, Serdykov said, adding the ministry "does not quite
understand so far" what the future warship should look like and
what its capabilities could be.
|
|
"We should understand whether
an aircraft carrier and its supporting ships possess some potentials we
lack currently. If so, I do not rule out the possibility of building (an
aircraft carrier)," Serdykov said.
He also revealed Russia would test its newest submarine-based Bulava
missile before the end of 2011, if weather permits a submarine to go
to the sea for the test launch.
The Bulava,
which is expected to become Russia's main naval strategic missile, is
capable of carrying 10 warheads with a range of 8,000 km. Only nine
of its previous 16 launches were officially declared successful.
From: xinhuanet news |
