The blueprint for a new-generation Russian Navy aircraft carrier will be ready by the end of 2010.

Russian Navy Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky said several organisations, including the Severnoye and the Nevskoye design bureaus, were working on the warship’s design.

He said the Russian Navy was in need of carrier battle groups and a special state programme was required for building a carrier.

The features of the new aircraft carrier are not known, however, navy experts said the aircraft would be nuclear powered with a displacement capacity of 50,000t-60,000t, according to RIA Novosti.