What would a modern Russian aircraft carrier need, assuming one carrier per fleet?
Short answerOne proposal concentrates several simple STOBAR carriers in the Northern and Pacific fleets; a competing view favors large presence cruisers instead.
NotesClarke's proposed carrier force would concentrate at least two ships, preferably three, in each of the Northern and Pacific fleets to sustain availability. He rejects a carrier for each of the Baltic and Black Sea fleets. The proposed design is a straightforward STOBAR carrier of roughly 60,000 tons, without a large offensive-missile battery, built around at least 24 fixed-wing aircraft, 24 rotary-wing aircraft, and 24 uncrewed aircraft. Another participant doubts Russia has a supported mission for carriers and favors a large cruiser for presence and diplomacy. Such a ship could challenge Western and Chinese influence without the same carrier-force commitment. The counterargument is that national prestige could revive carrier construction after the Ukraine war even if it poorly matched the navy's practical needs.