Military commentator: Russia's new aircraft carrier is a big and complicated deal
The Krylov Research Center has developed a new concept of a multipurpose aircraft carrier for the Russian Navy. In an interview with Sputnik, military analyst Viktor Litovkin answered a question about what types of aircraft could be placed on the deck of the new aircraft carrier.
Russia's newest fifth-generation fighter Su-57 will be able to land on new aircraft carriers if its naval version is created, Pavel Filippov, Director General of the Krylov Research Center, said in an interview with Sputnik.
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| An aircraft carrier model participates in a military exhibition in Russia. Photo: Sputnik |
The Krylov Research Center has developed a new concept of a multipurpose non-nuclear aircraft carrier for the Russian Navy, with a full displacement of 40,000 tons. The cost of the new aircraft carrier is estimated at 200 billion rubles, and construction work is expected to last five years.
At the "Army - 2019" exhibition, the Russian Defense Ministry signed a contract to purchase 76 Su-57 fighters..
“Theoretically, we could place a certain number of fighters on the aircraft carrier if the naval version is created, with reduced weight and some changed construction elements,” said Pavel Filippov.
At the same time, he noted that so far this type of aircraft has not been considered as a fighter aircraft of the Russian naval aviation.
In an interview with Sputnik, military analyst, retired colonel Viktor Litovkin noted that various types of aircraft can play the role of naval aviation fighters.
“Since the project of the aircraft carrier has not been approved, it is still too early to talk about what aircraft will be based on it. But the Su-57 can easily be placed on an aircraft carrier. In principle, any fighter can be adapted for landing and take-off on an aircraft carrier, it is enough to install additional tools for gripping the arresting gear on the deck, landing gear with increased strength, and some other equipment. But first it will be clear what kind of aircraft carrier we need. In addition, we need large-scale dry docks, which are being built. Only then can we talk about aircraft,” Viktor Litovkin said.
At the same time, according to him, the new aircraft carrier can deploy not only attack aircraft but also other types of aircraft.
“In principle, we are not talking about only multi-role fighters. The aircraft carrier must have patrol aircraft and long-range radar guidance, and there must also be a fleet of escort ships: destroyers and cruisers. Therefore, the aircraft carrier project is a complex and expensive matter,” Viktor Litovkin commented.
