Russian developers have presented the project of the aircraft carrier "Varan". It is assumed that it will be able to accommodate two dozen manned aircraft, as well as helicopters and drones.
In Russia, they have long been talking about a new aircraft carrier that would expand the capabilities of the Navy. One of the options was recently proposed by the Nevsky Design Bureau. The project was named "Varan". It appears under the formal designation "universal sea ship", but de facto we are talking about a full-fledged aircraft carrier. It can accommodate 24 multipurpose aircraft, six helicopters and up to 20 drones.
Displacement "Varana" - 45 thousand tons, which is significantly less than that of American aircraft carriers of the Nimitz type (its displacement exceeds 100 thousand tons). The promising ship is 250 meters long and 65 meters wide. It is assumed that "Varan" will be able to reach speeds of up to 26 knots.
The Nevsky Design Bureau is one of the largest Russian developers of universal ships and the only aircraft carrier designer in the country. Yesterday the enterprise celebrated its 90th anniversary.
In addition to a promising aircraft carrier, the design bureau presented a project of a universal amphibious assault ship. Its displacement is approximately 30 thousand tons. The length of the UDC is 220 meters, the width is 42 meters. The ship can reach speeds of 24 knots and has seven helipads on its deck.
It is pertinent to recall that in July last year, Russia, for the first time in its history, laid down universal amphibious assault ships called Ivan Rogov and Mitrofan Moskalenko. In terms of their dimensions, they are close to the promising UDC. According to open sources, the new ships will be able to carry up to 16 rotary-wing vehicles each.
The prospects of the projects presented are not yet clear. It is worth saying that earlier Russian developers have already proposed their vision of a new large aircraft carrier. In particular, in 2019, the Nevsky Design Bureau showed the aircraft carrier of project 11430E "Manatee". He should receive a nuclear power plant, and the displacement will be up to 90 thousand tons. The aircraft carrier has a springboard and electromagnetic catapults. In total, more than fifty aircraft can be accommodated on board.
Recall that last year, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the start of the practical implementation of the development program for the new aircraft carrier Porte Avion Nouvelle Generation (PANG), which should replace the Charles de Gaulle ship.