Mikuláš-class aircraft carrier
 HMS King Mikuláš I in 2017
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | HMS King Mikuláš I class |
| Builders: | Tavna Shipyard |
| Operators: |
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| Preceded by: | Jalovec class |
| Succeeded by: | Vackov class (Holyn Socialist Union — cancelled) |
| Subclasses: | Benedikt class |
| Built: | 1982–2002 |
| In commission: | 17 May 1991–present |
| Completed: | 2 |
| Active: | 2 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Aircraft carrier |
| Displacement: | |
| Length: | 305 m (1,000 ft 8 in) |
| Beam: | 72 m (236 ft 3 in) |
| Draught: | 11 m (36 ft 1 in) |
| Propulsion: | |
| Speed: | 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph) |
| Range: |
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| Complement: | 1,500 |
| Armament: |
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| Aircraft carried: |
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| Aviation facilities: |
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The Mikuláš-class aircraft carrier (Holyn: Lietadlová loď Triedy Mikuláš), Royal Holyn Navy designation Project 3491 aircraft carrier, is a class of STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) aircraft carriers developed for the Holyn Socialist States, and now operated by the Royal Holyn Navy. Consisting of two vessels, the HMS King Mikuláš I and HMS King Benedikt IV, the class represented a major advance in Holyn naval capabilities over its predecessors. The project to construct these carriers began in 1982, with four ships planned by 2000. The class was to be followed by the Vackov class of nuclear supercarriers. The first ship was laid down in 1982 as the Kracovice. She was completed and entered service in 1991. Her introduction represented a pivotal moment for the Holyn Socialist States, allowing for increased projection of naval power and enhanced security capabilities in the region.
The follow-up vessel, Rejta, was commissioned in 1993, further solidifying the capabilities of the then Kracovice-class. This ship featured refinements based on operational feedback from its predecessor. These included a modifications to the ski-jump ramp on the bow, a slightly wider and longer hull, smaller bridge and increased space for hangar bays. The changes were significant enough to warrant the Rejta as her own subclass of the Kracovice. Modifications were made to the Rejta's propulsion system, improving the performance of her boilers. The addition of the Rejta to the fleet enabled the Holyn Socialist States to maintain a more robust and flexible naval presence.
In 1995, the construction of the third vessel, a further refinement of the Rejta subclass, was paused indefinitely due to the growing economic difficulties faced by the Holyn Socialist States. The ensuing collapse of the country led to an uncertain future for the two Kracovice-class vessels. The Vackov class was permanently cancelled and the under construction hull was dismantled in 1999. In 2000, both the Kracovice and Rejta were renamed to HMS King Mikuláš I and HMS King Benedikt IV, respectively.
Both ships continue to operate in the Royal Holyn Navy, with the King Mikuláš I being assigned to the 1st Fleet and the King Benedikt IV being assigned to 2nd Fleet. A series of mechanical breakdowns in the late 2000s led to public scrutiny of Holynia's carrier fleet. The King Mikuláš I in particular has faced significant issues owing to her being the initial ship in the class. In 2011, she underwent a early overhaul and modernization project aimed to rectify a number of issues plaguing the ship. She reentered service in 2014. In 2022, the King Mikuláš I once again returned to the dry dock to undergo a modernisation and overhaul project to extend her life. She is projected to reenter service in 2025. The King Benedikt IV has not faced the same level of mechanical issues as her sister ship. In 2015, she underwent a minor modernisation project that was completed in 2016. She will enter an extensive overhaul and modernisation project in 2026 similar to her sister ship.