Russia has developed a new class of aircraft carrier. Currently in the design stage, the first vessel will be built, launched and put into service by 2020.
According to Sergey Vlasov, CEO of shipbuilder Nevsky PKB, the vessel will cost anywhere between four and eight billion US dollars.
Two different variants of the carrier may also be considered, Mr Vlasov continued, with one variant displacing between 80,000 and 85,000 tonnes and powered by nuclear reactors.
"The first variant will be bigger and more expensive while the second one, displacing between 55,000-65,000 tonnes, will be smaller and cheaper," said Vlasov. "We are ready to construct both versions."
Each variant will also be able to carry up to 70 aircraft or 50-55, for the larger and smaller variants, respectively.
"The basic rule is that a carrier can transport an aircraft for every thousand tonnes of displacement, continued Mr Vlasov. "The ships would also carry a new model of aircraft which has yet to be unveiled by the aviation industry."
In total, Russia plans to build four of these next-generation aircraft carriers. Two would be put in service in Russia's Pacific fleet, with the other two in service for the North fleet.
Vladislav Vorotnikov