Russia Wants An Aircraft Carrier

Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier. PH2 Paul A. Vise / Wikicommons

Alexander Korolkov, Russia Beyond The Headlines: Russia renews talk of aircraft carrier

Comments by Russian admiral along with the current geopolitical situation could finally prove the catalyst for the construction of Russia’s first floating airfield.

Deputy Commander of the Russian Navy Admiral Igor Kasatonov recently announced that Russia would build its first aircraft carrier – although construction will begin only after 2025. This is not the first time a senior Russian military official has proposed the construction of an aircraft carrier, however, and there is some question about whether this project will actually come to fruition.

Historically, the Russian Navy has served as an auxiliary tool for the country’s powerful army. The advent of nuclear submarines in the second half of the 20th century gave the navy a strategic deterrence function, however, which grew over time.

Update: Russia Wants an Aircraft Supercarrier, But Can It Build One? -- Matthew Bodner, Moscow Times

WNU Editor:  I have been hearing talk of a new Russian aircraft carrier for years .... my prediction .... they will still be talking about it 10 years from now.