Engine Upgrade to Make Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov “Smoke-free”

Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov will receive an upgrade to its boilers and fuel system to drastically reduce its exhaust smoke.

The carrier will return to the Russian Navy after repair in 2022, Alexey Rakhmanov, president of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) in an interview to  Interfax News Agency last week.

"Given that all boilers installed on an aircraft carrier will be replaced, there will be no more black smoke (after that). Actually, there was a technical problem with regulating the supply of fuel, at that time they did not pay attention to it. At the moment, the problem is completely resolved," said Rakhmanov.

"We have a new contractor for the dry dock who has already begun work,” he added.

Detailing the repairs and additions to the carrier, Rakhmanov said that the aircraft carrier can carry more than 50 aircraft. During the modernization, Admiral Kuznetsov will receive a marine version of the Pantsir air defense complex, new boilers, pumps and new flight and communication systems.