Big Russian task force heading to Syria

Russia is reinforcing its presence in Syria with one of the biggest demonstrations of naval power in recent years, including its flagship aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and seven escort ships

ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV AIRCRAFT CARRIER

Air defence armament: 24 missilelaunchers (range 12km), eight CIWS* mounts, six 30mm AA guns

Island: Houses bridge, flight operations and phased-array radar

Anti-submarine armament 60 rockets (range 3km)

Two aircraft elevators

Aircraft

15 Su-33 and MiG-29K fighters, over 10 helicopters

Ski-jump: Aircraft fly off 12° ramp. Lack of catapult system means planes cannot carry full payload

Main armament: 12 launchers for nuclear-capable SS-N-19 Shipwreck cruise missiles (range 600km)

Displacement 58,500 tonnes

Propulsion Four steam turbines,200,000hp

Top speed 30 knots (56km/h)

Range 15,700km at 18 knots

Crew 2,626 (including air group)

Length: 306.5m

Width: 72.3m 

Flight deck: 14,700 sq metres*

*80 percent size of U.S. Nimitz-class carrier

Syria: Admiral Kuznetsov, battlecruiser Pyotr Veliky, two destroyers and four support vessels will join 10 Russian warships in eastern Mediterranean

Route of Russian task force

Atlantic Ocean 

1,000km 600 miles

Severomorsk

RUSSIA

Sources: Naval Technology, wire agencies

*Close-in weapon system