Moscow's Marine Fantasies: Experts drew attention to the project of the Russian aircraft carrier "Varan"
According to Defensa observers, they managed to communicate with the representatives of the Project firm "Nevsko", which is part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (OSC), about the details of the creation of an ambitious ship. It is reported that "Varan" is a light multi -purpose aircraft carrier with a watertone of about 45,000 tons.
It will be equipped with an electromagnetic catapult, which will allow you to start up to 53 aircraft, including MiG-29K fighters, pro-duty helicopters Ka-27, KA-29 and Ka-52K Katran, as well as up to 20 combat drones. The ship's aviation will perform the task of "precision blows, intelligence and electronic counteraction". The length of the "perspective" ship is 250 meters and the width is 65 meters. It will be equipped with four gas turbines, which will provide a maximum speed of up to 26 knots.
"Varan" also provides modification, including the installation of a ramp for aircraft with vertical/short take -off and landing (V/Stop), replacement of gas turbines with a nuclear reactor and the introduction of a double electromagnetic catapult. Russian shipbuilders hope to create a aircraft carrier not only for the naval fleet of the Russian Federation, but also for export, especially for those countries that do not have the experience of operating classic aircraft carriers.
Meanwhile, it should be noted that in addition to the ambitious plans, there are nothing specific steps to create "Varan". The Russian profile resources in 2021 wrote about "promising development", at the same time, a project of the aircraft carrier "Lamantin" with atomic energy power plant was mentioned. But Western observers criticized the plans of the Russians, noting a number of insurmountable difficulties that cannot be counted.
For example, Forbes noted that the absence of drones in Russia compatible with aircraft carriers, and considerable technical difficulties make the idea of such aircraft carrier difficult to fulfill in the near future. Analysts also emphasize the absence of an exhaust funnel on the illustrations of the concept, which raises doubts about the degree of processing of the project.
In addition, according to experts, the Russian industry faces a lack of powerful and efficient engines for such ships, which is related to both technological lags and sanctions that impede the import of foreign components. Therefore, in the current conditions, Moscow focuses on the construction of smaller ships such as corvettes and frigates, as well as on submarines. "I believe that this concept art is likely to remain a concept.