Vice Admiral V. Bursuk: Russian Aircraft Carrier to Receive New Air Defense System

Rubric: Russia, Future

The only Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, will obtain the upgraded air defense system, including the antiaircraft missile/gun system Pantsir-M. Repair works will start onboard the ship in May 2018, said Russian Navy’s deputy commander Vice Admiral Viktor Bursuk visiting the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard.

During the ship’s retrofit project, it is also planned to renew steam boilers of the powerplant and the aircraft landing system, added the top-ranking officer.

Admiral Kuznetsov leaving the 35th Ship Repair Plant

The news on signing of the carrier’s repair contract was reported on April 23. According to the document, Russian Navy will get the ship back in 2021. The works will be performed by the 35th Ship Repair Plant, an affiliate of the Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center.

As was reported by Mil.Press Today, the onboard fire detection system has been already contracted. The carrier will receive Crab-M system produced by Krizo.

Admiral Kuznetsov was built under the Project 11435 and commissioned in 1990, five years after launching afloat at the Chernomorsky Shipyard. Length is 306 meters, max beam is 72 meters, displacement is 59,000 tons. Except for the air component (Su-33 and MiG-29K fighters; Ka-52, Ka-29 and Ka-27 helicopters), the carrier is armed with antiship cruise missiles P-700 Granit, air defense systems Klinok and Kashtan.