Aleksey Litsis: ‘I think Russia should have four or more ships’

Are floating airfields needed?

Talks whether Russia needs floating airfields have been taking place for a long time. Engineer Kanokotin offered to reequip the old Aleksander Lazarev ironclad into an aircraft carrier as early as 1910. In the Soviet era, the idea of construction of such ships came back during the Cold War. However, in fact, only heavy aircraft-carrying cruisers were created. And only Admiral Kuznetsov has remained.

The question of construction of aircraft carriers became again topical in the 19 ^th century. The fleet is under big modernisation. The Navy has started to get new naval ships. This is why there is a gradual need for creation of aircraft carriers.

The head of the Design Department of the Krylov State Research Centre Aleksey Litsis told a correspondent of Realnoe Vremya how the future Russian aircraft carrier will look like and when it will be built on Army-2016 International Military and Technical Forum.

Smaller than the American Nimitz…

I see you seem to be presenting a project of the future aircraft carrier. Could you tell what it will be like?

It is likely to be a project. The length is 300m w/l, displacement – up to 90,000 tonnes, the speed – about 30 knots. It will be able to carry up to 90 aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles. It will be smaller than the American Nimitz. But unlike the USA, we don't care about its big size. We think the dimensions of the Russian ship are optimal.

What kind of motor will it have?

There are different options. We excluded the nuclear one for our foreign partners, it may be a gas turbine. I must note all characteristics depend on a certain client who needs a ship for a certain war model.

'Our aircraft carrier will be smaller than the American Nimitz. But unlike the USA, we don't care about its big size. We think the dimensions of the Russian ship are optimal. ' Photo: novinite.ru

'I think Russia should have four or more ships'

When will the Russian Navy get it?

It is difficult to say. The Ministry of Defence or heads of states should be asked this question. But there is an idea of this ship. The thing is that the fleet is solving other problems. I suppose a detailed project will start after 2020.

What differences will it have from the Admiral Kuznetsov (which is the flagship of the Russian Navy)? Did you decide to use the ski-jump take-off?

We have made huge progress while designing aircraft carriers. And the new carrier will certainly be different from the Admiral Kuznetsov, which is serving in the Russian Navy. We plan to combine the ski-jump take-off with a catapult. It will allow to increase the power of planes because both systems have their own disadvantages. It is likely to be a specialised ship.

Is Russia able to build this ship now? How many ships does our fleet need?

Yes, we have a scientific and technical base. It all depends on financing, which it must be continuous. I think Russia should have four or more ships. We should not follow the example of the Americans who have 11 aircraft carriers. One can spend all money. I have told this number taking into account possible theatres and interchangeability of fighting units.

We created the project of Priboy universal landing craft as soon as France intended not to give Mistral ships

As for Mistral ships, I see you have a project of a universal landing craft.

It is a project of Priboy universal landing craft. We created it as soon as France intended not to give Mistral ships. Its difference is that it is completely adapted to the Russian armament. It has a better protection and will be made of highly fire resistant materials manufactured in Russia. To tell the truth, I can't say when it has been built. But I will repeat that our shipyards are able to do it almost at any time.

When the term 'destroyer' became archaic

Moreover, a preliminary design of a new destroyer was exhibited in the centre. As Litsis told, it is an absolutely new ship. And now the term 'destroyer' became archaic. It is likely to be a utility ship. The naval ship will have much more missiles. And it can be easily called an oceangoing ship. It is not excluded that these vessels will be responsible for the security of the future aircraft carriers.

The representative of the Krylov State Research Centre supposes the construction of aircraft carriers and new destroyers is an indicator of the power of the state and a possibility of an adequate demonstration of the strength and flag at any point of the globe.

It is not excluded that these vessels will be responsible for security of the future aircraft carriers