Renat Mistakhov, the General Manager of Ak Bars Shipbuilding Company, stated publicly that the plan to build the first two Russian helicopter carriers remains on track. The project schedule is aligning with the milestones laid out in the contractual agreement, reflecting careful coordination between design, fabrication, and testing phases that ensure timely delivery to the customer.
According to Mistakhov, the universal landing crafts (UDCs) named Ivan Rogov and Mitrofan Moskalenko are progressing in line with the terms approved by the contract. The vessels, each anticipated to displace around 40,000 tons, began their construction at the Zaliv shipyard in Kerch in 2020. The Ak Bars group, which oversees the project, has outlined a delivery target in 2028 for Ivan Rogov, marking a significant milestone for Russia’s naval capabilities and industrial capacity.
Mistakhov also highlighted potential capabilities for the Russian Navy, suggesting the addition of small missile carriers equipped to operate both air and sea-based unmanned aerial vehicles. The concept under discussion envisions a fleet architecture in which drones could be launched while ships are in motion, enabling rapid response and extended reach without halting surface operations.
In this vision, drones would be accommodated on ships designed with a vertical take-off and landing profile, enabling autonomous or semi-autonomous operation from the deck. The objective is to ensure that these unmanned systems can deploy and recover efficiently on a moving platform, expanding maritime surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike options as part of a broader modernization effort. The discussion reflects a broader trend in modern navies toward integrating unmanned assets with manned platforms to extend operational capabilities and strategic reach.
Details about the Russian strategic aviation program were historically sourced from public open information channels. As with any high-level defense project, the information landscape remains dynamic, with official briefings and industry updates providing the primary channels for verification and progress reporting. Observers note that developments in shipbuilding, unmanned systems, and naval aviation closely track each other, influencing procurement, training, and operational doctrine. Stakeholders in defense circles across Canada, the United States, and allied nations watch these advances to assess implications for regional security, alliance interoperability, and the evolution of marine combat architectures in the coming years.