Russia has no plan to build aircraft carriers before 2020

Russia didn't plan to build aircraft carriers before 2020 but was going to further develop its Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdykov said Friday. The minister also told reporters that the country would purchase more Mi-35 helicopters and other types of combat vehicles. So far, no money has been allocated for aircraft carrier programs until 2020, Serdykov said, adding the ministry "does not quite understand so far" what the future warship should look like and what its capabilities could be. "We should understand whether an aircraft carrier and its supporting ships possess some potentials we lack currently. If so, I do not rule out the possibility of building (an aircraft carrier)," Serdykov said. He also revealed Russia would test its newest submarine-based Bulava missile before the end of 2011, if weather permits a submarine to go to the sea for the test launch. The Bulava, which is expected to become Russia's main naval strategic missile, is capable of carrying 10 warheads with a range of 8,000 km. Only nine of its previous 16 launches were officially declared successful.