If Russia Field Three Carriers By 2030, Here is Where They Will Likely Be Deployed

following the announcement that the Russian Navy’s sole aircraft carrier the Admiral Kuznetsov had returned to dry dock after three years, speculation regarding the ship’s possible early retirement was largely dispelled with the vessel expected to continue to serve in the Russian Navy for well over a decade after refurbishment and modernisation are complete. Whether the outbreak of war in Ukraine in February and subsequent fast worsening of tensions with NATO, which has been accompanied by a rapid growth in state revenues as a result of high oil prices, may have changed the Russian Defence Ministry’s plans for the warship, remains uncertain. Among the upgrades expected are new electronics and sensors, a complete overhaul of propulsion systems, and possibly integration of new close in weapons systems and of Zicron hypersonic cruise missiles to replace the ageing Soviet P-700. Alongside the Kuznetsov, which is likely to return to service by 2024, the Russian Navy is also set to receive two new lighter carriers around the middle of the decade which are currently under construction in Crimea. Set to be named the Sevastopol and the Vladivostok, estimates for the ships’ displacements have ranged from 25,000 to over 40,000 tons. Serving as assault ships, they will deploy Ka-52 attack helicopters as their primary combat aircraft and may also deploy vertical landing capable fighters that have been reported from the late 2010s to be under development.

Видео If Russia Field Three Carriers By 2030, Here is Where They Will Likely Be Deployed канала Bogel Military