Image source: topwar.ru
While the military is arguing about the need to build new aircraft carriers and continue to expect the return of the only aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov to combat, the Nevsky Design Bureau presented a project of the light non-nuclear aircraft carrier Varan within the framework of the Army-2022 forum.
The layout of the new ship is shown in the pavilion of the United Shipbuilding Corporation. According to the idea of the developers, the light aircraft carrier "Varan" with a displacement of 45 thousand tons will have a non-nuclear power plant and will be able to carry more than twenty deck fighters, for which an electromagnetic catapult will be used to take off. This conclusion was made due to the lack of a take-off ramp for the ship.
As stated, the carrier's aircraft wing can include MiG-29K carrier-based fighters, Ka-27 and Ka-29 anti-submarine helicopters, as well as Ka-52K Katran and aircraft-type drones. A sub-deck hangar is provided for aviation.
It is worth noting that last year the American edition of Forbes criticized the sketch of the aircraft carrier "Varan", saying that this project is "not serious". This conclusion was made as a result of analyzing the image of the ship. It was also stated that the project will not be continued because "the Kremlin will not allocate money for its construction."
Earlier, the Nevsky Design Bureau presented the project of a new nuclear aircraft carrier 11430E "Manatee", based on the developments on the project of the atomic heavy aircraft carrier project 1143.7 "Ulyanovsk". This project provided for the construction of a nuclear aircraft carrier with a displacement of 80-90 thousand tons, a maximum length of 350 meters, equipped with a springboard, two electromagnetic catapults and four aerial finishers. The ship could carry up to 60 deck fighters, helicopters and drones.
