Admiral Kuznetsov Could Rejoin Russian Navy by End of 2024 After Major Modernization

The heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser of the Soviet era remains a focal point for discussions about the modern Russian Navy. Reports circulated that the Admiral Kuznetsov could join the Russian fleet by the end of 2024, with TASS citing a source from the domestic shipbuilding sector to describe the latest plan adjustments. The revised schedule envisages factory sea trials beginning in the spring of 2024 and state tests set for the autumn. Should the trials prove successful, the carrier would be transferred to active service by year-end 2024. If any test issues arise, the transfer would move to the following year. According to the source, the vessel has undergone a lengthy cycle of repair and modernization spanning seven years. At present the ship sits at the moorings of the 35th shipyard as work is completed and mooring trials proceed. The modernization is set to include a completely new supply of systems and structures, such as a refreshed flight deck with a springboard, an updated propulsion system, redesigned cable routes, and a modernized takeoff and landing control system for carrier-based aircraft, in addition to a new navigation framework. The same source notes that delays in the repair campaign were driven by late equipment deliveries from partner firms and evolving customer requirements. After repairs and updates, the Admiral Kuznetsov is expected to gain an extended service life of about twenty more years. Earlier reports from a regional military court in Murmansk indicated that the carrier experienced a severe incident during dockside repairs at the Zvyozdochka shipyard caused by welding work. Look for ongoing developments as the ship undergoes this broad modernization, including potential new capabilities for electronic warfare and drone mitigation that are part of the contemporary naval upgrade landscape.