Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:44:27-1:45:22

Why a future Russian carrier would favor nuclear power

A future Russian carrier would likely use nuclear propulsion because it is the major marine power technology Russia can still sustain domestically end to end.

Aircraft CarriersGas TurbinesNuclear PropulsionRussian NavyUkrainian Industry
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Question

What propulsion would Russia likely choose if it built another aircraft carrier?

Short answer

Probably nuclear power, because Russia retains a more complete domestic base for it than for large marine gas turbines.

Notes

Nuclear power is the predicted choice for a future Russian carrier because Russia retains a domestic industry able to deliver that machinery. Large marine gas turbines present a different industrial problem. Production previously based in Ukraine left Russia needing to rebuild expertise and manufacturing capability. The same division creates a possible postwar opportunity for Ukraine: investment in turbine production could connect it with new overseas customers. The prediction concerns industrial feasibility and does not establish that a new Russian carrier will be built.