By
2027, Russia will have two new nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, one
in the Northern Fleet and one in the Pacific Fleet. After years of discussions
whether or not Russia needs large aircraft-carrying vessels or can cope
with nuclear-powered submarines and cruisers, the admirals now have
chosen an “American” fleet model consisting of vessel groups
with an aircraft carrier in the center. The naval leaders believe this
arrangement will make to possible to broaden Russia’s area of
influence in the Pacific Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean.
The first Russian-built aircraft carriers will be nuclear-powered. They
will be built in modules at two different shipyards and assembled at
Sevmash. |
To build a new shipyard especially for construction
of aircraft carriers would take a minimum of four years and take a very
large part of the budget. To use already existing production forces
is a lot more effective, a representative for the United Shipbuilding
Corporation told Izvestia.
The first draft of the new aircraft carrier is planned to be presented
in 2012, and the final project should be ready in 2017. If this schedule
is met, the first carrier could be put on water in 2023.
By that time, the Russian navy must have put together an escort group
for each of the aircraft carriers, consisting of missile cruisers, destroyers,
multirole submarines, frigates, corvettes, assault landing ships and
support vessels, including icebreakers for operations in Arctic zones.
Each group will consist of about 15 vessels.
From barentsobserver
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