Russian shipyards still have not recovered from the post-Soviet collapse, with the result that modern Russia is building not large ships, but much smaller frigates and corvettes, as well as submarines. The reasons for Moscow's inability to build an aircraft carrier were explained in an article published in Forbes.
According to military expert Pavel Luzin, with whom the American magazine spoke, the main problem of the Russian shipbuilding industry is the lack of suitable engines. “The Russian industry still cannot produce engines that are powerful and efficient enough for these types of ships,” the specialist believes.
The publication notes that Russia cannot buy the necessary power units from Western countries due to sanctions.
“The Russian industry is probably unable to build a new aircraft carrier,” the magazine suggests.
Thus, Forbes commented on the January TASS report on the projects of the Nevsky Design Bureau (PKB), in particular the Varan universal naval ship (UMK), capable of accommodating 24 multipurpose aircraft, six helicopters and up to 20 unmanned aerial vehicles. The publication noted that Russia does not have funds for the implementation of this project, as well as suitable drones.
“Nevskoe [PKB] dreams out loud,” the magazine writes.
In January, The Drive wrote that Russia should abandon its only aircraft carrier, the “damned” Admiral Kuznetsov, focusing on building a pair of new universal amphibious assault ships (UDC).
On July 6, 2020, six warships were laid down in Russia at once, in particular, in Kerch – UDC (helicopter carriers) “Ivan Rogov” and “Mitrofan Moskalenko” of project 23900 “Priboy”.
