MOSCOW. Dec 12 (Interfax) - The return of the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier to the Navy will clearly be delayed by the engine room fire, an informed source told Interfax.
"Naturally, the return will be delayed, considering that the engine room is on fire. It will take at least six months to repair the engine room, plus six more months to procure materials, cables of various diameters, and other parts. Most probably, no such items are currently available in warehouses, so that will take at least six months extra," the source said.
"Diesel compartments are a reserve power source. The ship won't be serviceable without reserve power. And, as I understand, cables are burning. They will have to be laid anew, which is very expensive," the source said.
Repairs and modernization of the aircraft carrier are likely to resume despite the fire, he said.