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Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier planned for sea trials in fall 2022

The shipyard has posted a contract on painting the carrier’s outer surface before September 1, 2022; applications are open until May 20

Admiral Kuznetsov heavy aircraft carrier Lev Fedoseyev/TASS

Admiral Kuznetsov heavy aircraft carrier

© Lev Fedoseyev/TASS

MOSCOW, May 8. /TASS/. The Zvyozdochka shipyard plans to finish the preparation of the Admiral Kuznetsov heavy aircraft carrier for sea trials after repairs and upgrades by fall 2022, the state procurement website indicates.

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Key facts about Russia’s heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov

The shipyard has posted a contract on painting the carrier’s outer surface before September 1, 2022. For that the shipyard plans to allocate over 250 million rubles ($3,402,500) and will receive applications until May 20.

In line with widespread practice, after the painting is done, a ship goes to sea trials.

The shipyard press service confirmed the plans, but noted that all works would be performed amid heightened security measures considering the coronavirus pandemic.

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Firefighters put out blaze onboard Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier

Currently, the Admiral Kuznetsov stays in the 35th shipyard (Zvyozdochka subsidiary in Murmansk). Its commissioning is planned for 2022.

Repairs and upgrades

The Admiral Kuznetsov was sent for repairs in 2017 following a mission in Syria. The carrier will be equipped with the new air defense systems, including the Pantsir-M. Besides, the ship will get new energy equipment, new boilers, pumps and new flight systems, namely landing, observation and control systems.

Since the beginning of repairs, there were two emergencies that caused deaths. On October 30, 2018, when the ship exited the floating dock, the dock began sinking. Due to the resulting lurch, a crane fell on the carrier’s deck, killing one. On December 12, 2019, a fire broke out on the ship. Two people died extinguishing it.

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