Article Posted on : - Sep 15, 2010

A file photo of Admiral Kuznetsov.

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia’s heavy aircraft-carrying cruisers Admiral Kuznetsov is all set for a training mission at the Barents Sea after completing a series of repair work, a media report said.

"The Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier will sail to the Barents Sea at the end of September on a training mission relevant to its main purpose," RIA Novosti quoted a statement of Northern fleet.

Russia’s only aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov was assigned to the Northern Fleet in January 1991.

The warship is capable of carrying naval helicopters, flying navalized SU-25 close air support fighters, 26 multi-role SU-33s, MiG-29K Fulcrum-D carrier-based fighter aircraft and 24 anti-submarine helicopters.

The training mission at the sea is mainly focused on the naval pilot training and to further develop the skills acquired by pilots at the Nitka Naval Pilot Training Center in Ukraine.

Later in 2012, the warship will be docked at the Sevmash shipyards for nearly five years to get full-scale mordernisation.

Meanwhile, Russia is also planning to construct three ships for its Northern and Pacific fleets.