Russia To Draw On Sole Aircraft Carrier's Syria Experience To Build New Vessel

December 14, 2016

A senior lawmaker says Russia will draw on the checkered recent experience of its only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, when it builds a new carrier.

The Admiral Kuznetsov has lost two jets since its deployment off Syria's coast in October as part of Russia's campaign in support of Syrian government forces in the war there.

On its long journey from northern Russia to the Eastern Mediterranean, it drew attention by belching black smoke into the sky.

"Any experience that we've gained will certainly come in handy in building a new aircraft carrier," Vladimir Shamanov, the chairman of the defense committee in the lower parliament house, told state news agency TASS.

"Creating such a ship has long been an urgent need because our country is washed by seas and oceans all around," Shamanov was quoted as saying.

An Su-33 fighter jet was returning from a mission when it rolled off the deck after the rope of the aircraft's arresting gear broke, the Defense Ministry said on December 5.

In November, a MiG-29 jet crashed in the sea due to an "equipment fault."

In both cases the pilots ejected and survived, the ministry said.

Based on reporting by TASS

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russia-admiral kuznetsov-new-ship/28175673.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.