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No doubt Russians have the technical and economic capabilities to build several carriers even in the Ford class. The point is they do not have anywhere a surface fleet to be deployed around them and that itself is an effort far more expensive and resource intensive that the construction of few very large ships. There are no active programs to build any surface combatant larger than a frigate. I can see one or two midsize STOBAR in a two decade timeframe but nothing more and mainly as a propaganda and prestige tool more than an asset with a defined strategic role.
I would mostly agree.
Russia, as befits the world's largest country, has always been a land-based power, and latterly of course, aviation.
Only under Gorshkov in the old USSR was the navy really ramped up, if one excludes the ever present impressive submarine component.
I do believe, however, that there would be a real life role for a couple of Russian carriers in the future.
We live in a world where resources are finite, where bulk trade and goods movement happens mostly at sea.
There is certainly space for a Russian expeditionary or deterrent force, overseen and protected by a carrier, to protect their interests.
This does not mean large multiple carrier led fleets as the US operates, or presumably where China is headed.
I think the cost/benefit of that makes no sense for Russia.
But 2 midsize carriers, say, probably does make sense for Russia in the future. Yes, for prestige, but also for the potential to influence, and project in a limited fashion. A single carrier escorted by a couple of Gorshkovs, perhaps a cruiser, one of the large Universal Amphibious Assault ships now being constructed, and a SSN as an expeditionary force would be quite achievable in the future, and not break the bank.
In fact, they have nearly all that now, sans the Assault Ships still in construction.
In my humble opinion, it is this very same reasoning why they are busy building the two 40 000t Amphibious flat decks laid down in the first place.
Russia doesn't have as many airbases scattered around the globe as the US does, for example.
A carrier led force doesn't necessarily have to be designed for carrier fleet vs carrier fleet ala the Pacific War in WW2.
So I am mostly in agreement with you.
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