Renovation of Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier will cost Russia more than a billion dollars
Repair and modernization of the only Russian aircraft-carrying cruiser, Admiral Kuznetsov, may cost 65 billion rubles - more than 1.1 billion dollars, as reported by newspaper Izvestia, citing its sources in the Russian Navy and shipbuilding industry.
According to the publication, the scope of the work and its cost are currently being agreed upon. During the renovation, modern radio electronic equipment and weapons will be installed on the ship, and the main propulsion plant will be restored.
The purpose of repair and modernization is the service life extension of the cruiser for at least 20 years. Admiral Kuznetsov officially became a part of the Northern Fleet in January 1991. Its assigned lifetime, as recorded in the ship's passport, has already expired.
The ship went through long repairs in 1996-1998, 2001-2004 and 2008 as well as from May 2015 to summer 2016.
The day before, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said that Admiral Kuznetsov will head for renovation after the completion of inspection procedures.
During two months of it operation near the coast of Syria, Admiral Kuznetsov lost two combat aircraft.