Russia will deploy its aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean Sea before the end of 2016 for a period of up to four months.
Russia to Deploy Aircraft Carrier in Mediterranean No Sooner Than October MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia will deploy Admiral Kuznetsov, the country's only aircraft carrier, in the Mediterranean Sea before the end of 2016 for a period of up to four months, Adm. Igor Kasatonov, the former head of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, said in an interview. Earlier in July, a source familiar with the matter told RIA Novosti that the aircraft carrier would be deployed in the Mediterranean no sooner than October. "The ship will set off [for the Mediterranean] at the end of the year. The carrier battle group, which will include several screening ships, will be formed. Allegedly, a nuclear multi-role submarine will be [in the group]. The ship's deployment is designed to last for 3-4 months," Kasatonov, who also was the first deputy commander of Russia's Navy, told RIA Novosti. He added that up to a certain point, the group would be escorted by IL-38 anti-submarine aircraft and Tu-142 long range aircraft and possibly the carrier battle group could work with Tu-160 strategic bombers. The Admiral Kuznetsov was constructed at the Mykolaiv South Shipyard, the sole manufacturer of Soviet aircraft carriers, and launched in 1985. It became fully operational in 1995. ... 251
No comments:
Post a Comment