Key Points and Summary – Russia’s carrier Admiral Kuznetsov remains sidelined, and its proposed successor, the nuclear-powered Project 23000 Shtorm, is still only a concept.
-Unapproved and unfunded, Shtorm envisioned a 90,000–100,000-ton, 330-meter, dual-island CATOBAR supercarrier with EM catapults, arresting gear, and an air wing of up to 100 aircraft, including MiG-29K, helicopters, prospective AEW, UAVs, and a hypothetical naval Su-57.
-Self-defense might integrate phased-array radars and layered SAMs.
-Moscow pitched a variant to India, without result. Given cost, sanctions, and Russia’s geography, leaders prioritize submarines, frigates, and corvettes.
Many argue carriers are oversized targets in a hypersonic era—and a poor fit for Russia’s needs.
Russia’s Shtorm Supercarrier: Vision or Vaporware?
As of writing this, work on the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier has functionally stopped and its fate is currently unknown.
This leaves Russia without a functional aircraft carrier (although Admiral Kuznetsov has been out of commission since 2017).
In 2015, a new carrier design was demonstrated and put up as a proposal. The Project 23000, or Shtorm, as it is unofficially known (we will be calling it the Shtorm-class for simplicities sake), is a proposed replacement to the Kuznetsov-class carriers.
However, as of 2020, it seems that the Project has yet to be officially approved and no work has begun on it yet.
Design and Specifications
The Shtorm-class is envisioned as a massive vessel, with a displacement estimated between 90,000 and 100,000 tons. Its overall length would be approximately 330 meters, making it one of the longest warships ever built.
The beam at the waterline would measure around 40 meters, and the draught would be about 11 meters. These dimensions place the Shtorm-class in the same category as the largest aircraft carriers currently in service.
The ship would be powered by two nuclear reactors, either the RITM-200 or the more powerful RITM-400, driving four propellers.
This nuclear propulsion system would allow the carrier to operate for extended periods at sea, with an estimated endurance of up to 120 days without refueling. The top speed is projected to be between 25 and 30 knots, enabling rapid deployment across vast oceanic distances.
Admiral Kuznetsov. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Admiral Kuznetsov Aircraft Carrier from Russia. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The Shtorm-class reportedly utilizes a dual island configuration. This architectural choice, which has also been adopted by the British Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class carriers, allows for the separation of navigation and flight operations, improving command and control efficiency and providing redundancy in case of damage.
The flight deck would be expansive and capable of supporting a wide range of aircraft operations. It would include four launching positions: two ski-jump ramps for conventional takeoff and two electromagnetic catapults.
Electromagnetic catapults, similar to those used on the Gerald R. Ford-class, allow for smoother and more energy-efficient aircraft launches compared to traditional steam catapults.
Airwing and Electronics
The carrier would be equipped with arresting gear for aircraft recovery, enabling full CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) operations. This system would support a diverse air wing, potentially comprising up to 100 aircraft.
The air group would include a navalized version of the Sukhoi Su-57 (a variant that does not yet exist), Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, as well as the Mikoyan MiG-29K multirole fighter, which was in service aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov.
Helicopters such as the Kamov Ka-27 would provide anti-submarine warfare and search-and-rescue capabilities.
There is also speculation about the inclusion of the Yak-44, a proposed airborne early warning aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles like the Mikoyan Skat, which would enhance reconnaissance and strike capabilities.
In terms of sensors and defensive systems, the Shtorm-class would be outfitted with advanced multifunction phased array radar systems, electronic warfare suites, and integrated communications networks.
These systems would provide situational awareness, target tracking, and coordination for both defensive and offensive operations.
For self-defense, the carrier is expected to be armed with multiple anti-aircraft systems, possibly including the S-400 or even the next-generation S-500 surface-to-air missile systems.
These would offer robust protection against enemy aircraft, missiles, and drones, forming a layered defense network that enhances the carrier’s survivability in high-threat environments.
Export to India?
In July 2016, the design was offered to India, which is actively expanding its naval capabilities and has expressed interest in nuclear-powered carriers. While India showed some interest, no formal agreement was reached, and skepticism remains about Russia’s ability to deliver such a complex vessel on time and within budget.
The export version, Project 23000E, was tailored for international clients and showcased Russia’s intent to position itself as a supplier of advanced naval platforms.
As of 2025, Project 23000 has not been officially approved for construction. Although it remains part of Russia’s State Armament Programme for 2018–2027, no keel has been laid, and no shipyard has been assigned the task.
Some sources suggest that if the project proceeds, construction could begin between 2025 and 2030, with an operational date possibly in the mid-2030s.
However, given the economic and geopolitical realities, many analysts believe the Shtorm-class may remain a conceptual exercise rather than a tangible asset.
The Russian Navy continues to prioritize smaller, more versatile platforms like frigates, corvettes, and submarines, which offer greater strategic flexibility at lower cost.
Does Russia Really Need Aircraft Carriers?
Here is an important question: Do the Russians really need an aircraft carrier at this time?
Examining Russia’s geography, the majority of its shores are located in desolate Arctic regions, with the only viable ports situated in the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, and the Northern Pacific.
In Russia’s current state, an aircraft carrier is hardly the most practical option to pursue, especially with NATO threatening its Baltic Sea access and the U.S. Navy in the Pacific.
In the days of the USSR, when warm water ports were more readily available, it would make more sense, but let’s face it, today Russia is a land empire.
Furthermore, a majority of Russia’s top brass view aircraft carriers as a thing of the past.
I won’t say whether I will agree with this sentiment, but to the Russians, carriers are large moving targets that are vulnerable to hypersonic anti-ship missiles.
The funds for the Shtorm-class would probably be better used to create more nuclear submarines or Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates.
Both of these options are not only more economically feasible, but they are more practical in the long run than a new aircraft carrier.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
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