VLADIMIR Putin is dreaming to build a massive 100,000-ton supercarrier in a bid to rival the West.
Putin's Retired Vice Admiral Vladimir Pepelayev boasted Russia's plans to flex its military muscle once again.
Former Deputy Chief of the Main Staff of the Russian Navy Pepelyaev was tasked with developing a promising aircraft carrier at the Krylov Research Institute.
He has revealed that the prospective vessel should have a displacement of 70,000 to 90,000 tons, and will be powered by a nuclear reactor.
The mammoth carrier would also be capable of launching stealth fighter jets - the Su-57.
Putin accused of surrounding himself with same 'actors' at series of events
He told RIA: “Our promising aircraft carrier should have a displacement of 70 to 90 thousand tons, but the most important thing is not the displacement, not air drones, but aircraft.
“Today, we have Su-33 and MiG-29K/Cube. In the future, our aircraft carrier should be armed with Su-57.”
Pepelyaev added that Russia would need at least four such carriers to catch up with the West.
Russia's fleet lags behind its rivals as the US and China have both already launched impressive aircraft carriers of their own.
But the ambitious project may never make it off the drawing board after previous attempts have miserably failed.
The last design for a carrier, dubbed the Storm, was supposed to be laid down between 2025 and 2030.
However, the $5billion project had no meaningful progress since being introduced in 2017.
The staggering costs of building a carrier of such calibre proved to be an unbearable burden for Russia's economy amid the war in Ukraine.
Almost half of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet have already been hit by Ukrainian drone or missile strikes since the tyrant launched his full-scale invasion in 2022.
Putin's only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, also has a troubled history of being hit by several fires and fatal accidents during its 30-year-lifespan.
Catholics across the world pray for Pope Benedict XVI as his body lies in state
The ship has been undergoing massive repairs since 2017 when it was deployed in the despot's savage attacks on Syria.
Pepelayev said: "If we are to believe open publications, the ship should complete repairs and modernization this year.
"Most likely, the surveillance systems, aviation control, self-defense systems and electric power will be modernised.
"Apparently, the strike missile system will not be dismantled in favour of deck aviation. Rather, it will be modernised."
However, humiliatingly for Putin, his fantasy of having a fleet of aircraft carriers may be far-fetched.
Naval expert H.I Sutton previously told The Sun that the Admiral Kuznetsov might never see the light of day, leaving Russia's naval might a thing of the past.
“Given Russia’s financial challenges it is likely to become harder to complete work on her and return her to active service.
“And even if she is, work on replacing her is already way behind what should be expected.
“There is a serious question mark over Russia’s continuing ability to maintain its largest warships.
“These are a matter of national pride, but they are increasingly outdated, as the sinking of the Moskva showed.
“So this could be the end of the road for Russia’s legacy Cold War super-fleet. The future Russian surface fleet looks smaller and made up of smaller ships.”
