The only protection it will have against incoming aircraft till 2017 (as per estimates) will be electronic systems. Hence,one of the more interesting demonstrations conducted this year was of the ASOR Russian electronic warfare system fitted on the carrier. Those who participated said the shipÂ’s sensors picked up incoming aircraft at a distance of 350 km and,in some cases,even 400 km.
During trials,the ship’s electronic warfare systems defeated all incoming aircraft by blinding them with directed energy. “Not a single aircraft managed to detect the ship when systems were in use. The only way they could find the ship was when it got into visible range,” said Igor Leonav,Chief Commissioner of Sevmash.
Several aircraft,including Su 33 fighters,MiG 29 Ks,IL 38s and Kamov choppers,were used to test the electronic warfare systems. But this is the only defence against air attacks,other than the last stage Pk2m chaff/flare launchers used as decoys when incoming missiles home in.