Russia's Next Big Military Fantasy: Building a 90,000 Ton Aircraft Carrier

Summary and Key Points: Even as Russia faces economic struggles and geopolitical challenges, some of its leaders and propagandists cling to grandiose visions of military might and territorial expansion reminiscent of historical ambitions. Among them is retired Vice Admiral Vladimir Pepelyaev, who advocates for a large fleet of Russian aircraft carriers, despite the impracticality of such a plan given Russia's current capabilities.

-Pepelyaev envisions carriers equipped with advanced aircraft, yet Russia's only existing carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, remains out of service.

Russia's Aircraft Carrier Dream Just Won't End

Historical parallels are drawn to Hitler's unrealized dream of Germania, emphasizing the improbability of Russia achieving its carrier ambitions.

Even as the tide of the Second World War turned against the Nazis, German dictator Adolf Hitler held onto a dream of rebuilding Berlin as a megacity that would be the center of his Thousand Year Reich. Dubbed Germania it was ambitious beyond reality. Russian President Vladimir Putin may suffer from similar megalomania as he almost certainly holds the unrealistic hope of seeing a restoration of all the territory of the Soviet Union and perhaps even the Russian Empire.

Yet, Putin is far from alone in holding such disillusions of grandeur for Russia. Propagandists on TV and social talk of Alaska returning to Russian control, and how residents in Finland yearn to be under Moscow's yoke again.

Then there is former Deputy Chief of the Main Staff of the Russian Navy retired Vice Admiral Vladimir Pepelyaev who continually touts the need for a large fleet of Russian aircraft carriers. Earlier this year, he touted his book Aircraft Carrier and told Russian state media that such warships are crucial to the future of his nation.

"If a State claims to be a great maritime power, it must have full-fledged aircraft carrier formations in its fleet. This is confirmed by the place that the aircraft carrier fleet occupies in the history of the combat use of naval forces, and by the events of today," the VPK portal quoted Pepelyaev as stating in a March interview.

Pepelyaev added, "It is necessary to continue research and design work, including in the field of improving shipboard weapons, which should be carried out ahead of schedule so that by the time the aircraft carrier project is approved, the weapons planned to be installed on the ship already have the highest degree of technological readiness."

Aircraft Carrier Ambitions – Dream on, Russia

The retired admiral was charged with developing an aircraft carrier program at the Krylov Research Institute, the EurasianTimes.com reported. Pepelyaev has envisioned that the Kremlin should – and somehow could – construct an aircraft carrier with a displacement upwards of 90,000 tons, while its airwing could consist of the Suhkoi Su-33 and Mikoyan MiG-29K until a carrier variation of the Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation multirole fighter could be developed.

Of course, such a program is as outlandish and unrealistic as Hitler's plans to rebuild Berlin as a megacity with a fantastical Volkshalle ("People's Hall") in the center. Simply put – just as Germania never advanced beyond the model stage, neither will the Russian carrier.

As the EurasianTimes.com and other outlets have noted, Russia is struggling with its wartime economy and has yet to complete the refit of its sole aircraft carrier Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Kuznetsov, and it remains in doubt whether that warship will ever head to sea again.

As previously reported, even if Russia were to suddenly be capable of building a carrier, it lacks the sailors to man such a vessel. It has been seven years since Admiral Kuznetsov was last deployed, and the Kremlin hasn't exactly been training the next generation of sailors to crew the warship or its replacement.

We've Heard This Story Before

Of course, this isn't the first time that Russia's carrier ambitions have made the news.

In 2018, it was announced that the Russian Navy had begun to explore options for a new aircraft carrier. According to GlobalSecurity.org, one option was focused on a conventionally powered vessel with a displacement of around 70,000 tons – slightly larger than the 58,600-67,500 tons full load Project 1143.5 Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Kuznetsov. Another option called for a nuclear-powered carrier, with a larger displacement. That would be bigger than the 42,000-ton French Navy flagship Charles de Gaulle – the only non-U.S. Navy nuclear-powered carrier – yet not likely as large as the 100,000-ton American supercarriers.

The new "Shtorm" aircraft carrier – a.k.a. Project 23000E – was to be included in Russia's armament program for the 2019 to 2025 period.

As the trade magazine SP's Naval Force also reported in 2018, "Project Shtorm was shrouded in mystery for several years until an initial concept was unveiled by the Krylovsky State Research Center (KRSC) back in 2015. The new super-carrier would displace close to 100,000 tonnes, 330 m long, 40 m wide, and could launch 80-90 aircraft with an EMALS system."

Russian officials had suggested the carrier could be laid down between 2025 and 2030 – while a model was presented at a past Army Technical Forum. Yet, even as of 2020, the project hadn't gained formal approval and given its financial costs would likely impact other Russian naval modernization efforts.

"Considering the estimated program cost of $9 billion, it seems quite unlikely that economically weakened Russia will move beyond the design stage," SP's Naval Force report added.

Pepelyaev should spent his retirement years building models of aircraft carriers because that's as close as he or Russia will ever get to having a fleet of flattops.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

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