Russia's New Aircraft Carrier Dream: A 'Light' Aircraft Carrier

Summary and Key Points: The future of Russia's aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, remains uncertain due to prolonged refit issues. Despite calls from some military leaders for a new 90,000-ton carrier, the Nevskoye Design Bureau has unveiled a smaller, 45,000-ton aircraft carrier concept at the IMDS "Fleet-2024" show.

-The proposed carrier, comparable to the French Navy's, would feature gas turbine power, potential nuclear options, and the ability to operate conventional and vertical takeoff aircraft, including UAVs.

-While ambitious, past similar projects like the "Varan" program have not progressed beyond concept stages.

Russia's Nevskoye Design Bureau Offers Aircraft Carrier Design

The future of the Russian Navy's flagship Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Kuznetsov remains in doubt. The aircraft carrier remains in drydock undergoing a refit that began in 2018 – during which time it suffered several setbacks including multiple deadly accidents and fires. Speculation continues that the Kremlin may be forced to scrap the warship, which many naval analysts believe would be the right course of action.

However, that fact has deterred some in Russia who believe a fleet of aircraft carriers is necessary for the future of the state. As previously reported, among those is retired Vice Admiral Vladimir Pepelyaev. He called for a carrier that could displace upwards of 90,000 tons, with an airwing consisting of advanced combat aircraft such as the Sukhoi Su-57.

Pepelyaev is a military leader, not a designer, so he never actually described what the carrier would look like beyond its size – but according to a report from the European Defence Review, the Russian Nevskoye Design Bureau (Proektno-Konstruktorskoye Bureau or PKB) – which is a subsidiary of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) – did unveil concept images of the potential future carrier for the Russian Navy at the International Naval Defence Show (IMDS) "Fleet-2024" in Kronshtadt.

The EDR reported that the carrier would be smaller than that called for by Pepelyaev, displacing only about 45,000 tonnes (approximately 50,000 U.S. tons). The light carrier would be powered by a gas turbine power plant – meaning it wouldn't run on the low-quality Mazut oil that fuels Admiral Kuznetsov. There was further speculation that nuclear power was being considered, while it could operate with both conventional and vertical takeoff aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The design has further called for both a ski jump and electromagnetic catapults.

"The future Russian aircraft carrier being developed at the Nevsky PKB is comparable in tactical and technical characteristics to the French Navy aircraft carrier, and should exceed it in certain key features, including the number of shipborne aircraft in the aviation group. A high degree of automation of the ship's systems and complexes will reduce the number of personnel and improve the living conditions of the crew," the EDR added.

This is not the first time that there has been a carrier concept put forth from Nevskoye PKB and USC, however.

Since 2010, the codenamed "Varan" program has been discussed as being in the works, even though progress hasn't actually advanced beyond the concept stage.

The last time it made the rounds was in March 2021, when Russian state media unveiled proposed design images of a light carrier that could carrier two dozen MiG-29K fighters, six Ka-52 helicopters, and 20 drones. The displacement was also around 45,000 tonnes, while the design called for the warship to be around 250 meters long and 65 meters wide. It would also be equipped with a well-deck for amphibious craft – suggesting that the light carrier would really be a hybrid of an amphibious assault ship and a true carrier.

It would be an ambitious effort for the Kremlin, but given the struggle Russia has had with even refurbishing its existing carrier, it is doubtful the Varan will actually advance much further than concept images.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

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