Russia Considering Development of Vertical Takeoff Planes for Aircraft Carriers

The Russian Defense Ministry is considering the development of a vertical takeoff (VTOL) plane for aircraft carriers based on the Yak-family, Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov said Tuesday.

ZHUKOVSKY (Sputnik) — The VTOL aircraft would be based on the Yak-family jets.

"The Defense Ministry is discussing with our aircraft manufacturers the development of an aircraft with a short take-off and landing, possibly with a vertical take-off and landing, this is the development of the Yak line," Borisov said on the sidelines of the MAKS-2017 air show.

Currently, Russia possesses only one aicraft-carrying cruiser, the Admiral Kuznetsov. Late last month, Vice-Adm. Viktor Bursuk, Russia's deputy navy commander in charge of procurement, said that the Russian Navy is planning the construction of a new aircraft carrier to accompany the Admiral Kuznetsov.

MAKS-2017, one of the world's largest aviation shows, kicked off in the town of Zhukovsky near Moscow earlier in the day. It will conclude on Sunday.