Revealing information about Russia's super aircraft carrier project

Moscow plans to build the "world's largest aircraft carrier" to compete with America's Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, a Russian state media website reported recently.

Project 23000E Shtorm aircraft carrier. (Photo: KRSC)

According to Russia Beyond The Headlines, the new aircraft carrier concept - called Shtorm - is about the same size as current US aircraft carriers, can displace about 100,000 tons and carry a similar number of aircraft.

Russia currently has only one aircraft carrier, the Soviet-built Admiral Kuznetsov. After many years of service, this ship has just completed its first combat deployment to Syria.

"On the deck of a Russian ship there are about 30 aircraft, while the American ship has up to 90," a Russian defense official described on the Russia Beyond The Headlines website when comparing the country's aircraft carriers with American aircraft carriers.

"In addition, the take-off speed on the Admiral Kuznetsov is several minutes, while on an American ship, three planes can take off at the same time. Moreover, there are many tasks today that Russian ships cannot perform. Therefore, Russia needs a new modern aircraft carrier," the official added.

According to Business Insider, Russia has a global navy with an impressive fleet of ships capable of long-range combat, but the country still lacks the ability to project power with aircraft carriers.

The Kuznetsov was built primarily for coastal defense, and without a nuclear power station, the ship requires significant support to move between theaters of operations.

With Russia under sanctions for its 2014 annexation of Crimea and low oil prices, Russia Beyond The Headlines acknowledges that Moscow will struggle to raise the funds for the aircraft carrier project.

And not only this super ship, Russia also needs to build about 90 more aircraft. Although there are already aircraft capable of launching from aircraft carriers such as the MiG-29K, the Shtorm concept requires the T-50 5th generation stealth fighter.

According to Vietnamnet