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Russia’s sole aircraft carrier sustains $1.1 mln damage in floating dock incident

The specialists have found over 50 damages

MOSCOW, November 22. /TASS/. Russia’s sole aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov has sustained damages in 52 places to the tune of 70 million rubles ($1.1 million) in the floating dock incident, Head of the United Ship-Building Corporation Alexei Rakhmanov told TASS on Thursday.

"The commission [set up to estimate the damage] counted 52 damages. Overall, the ship’s recovery will cost about 70 million rubles, i.e. this is referred to the category of inconsiderable damage within the budget of the Admiral Kuznetsov’s modernization," the chief executive said, responding to the corresponding question.

As Rakhmanov said, "we have not found anything serious that could have entailed the extension of the repair period or could not have been restored."

"The repair is planned to be completed in late 2020 and its trials are scheduled for 2021. The warship is planned to be delivered to the Navy in mid-2021," the head of Russia’s United Ship-Building Corporation said.

Floating dock incident

The PD-50 floating dock sank overnight to October 30 in Murmansk during the planned floatout of the heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov from it. According to preliminary information, the warship itself had its take-off deck damaged by the fallen crane and is now at the 35th Ship Repair Factory.

The PD-50 is one of the world’s largest floating docks and the biggest in Russia. It was built in Sweden in 1980 on order from the Soviet Navy. It is 330 meters long and 67 meters wide and has a lifting capacity of 80,000 tonnes. The floating dock has an area of 22.1 sq. km, which is slightly less than Red Square in Moscow.

According to corporate financial statements, the 82nd Ship Repair Factory where the floating dock incident occurred was integrated into Russian oil giant Rosneft in November 2015. Russia’s Defense Ministry currently holds a minor stake of 0.0001% in the Ship Repair Plant.

Rosneft uses the 82nd Ship Repair Factory as the base for developing a modern center of coastal logistics support for offshore projects.

Aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov

The Project 11435 heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov is designed to gain superiority at sea and in the air in the areas of the fleet’s operation to ensure the fleet’s combat sustainability, deliver air strikes against enemy objectives and support troops’ landing operations.

The warship entered service in 1990. It displaces 58,000 tonnes and has a length of 304.5 meters. The aircraft carrier has a full speed capacity of 200,000 horsepower and develops a speed of up to 30 knots. Apart from the air task force of 24-26 fighter jets and 12 helicopters, the Admiral Kuznetsov is armed with anti-ship and air defense missile systems.

The warship is equipped with a ski-jump and two aircraft elevators. It has a crew of 1,300 while the air group’s personnel numbers 660 men.

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