Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov sails in the Barents Sea in 2004. (Xinhua/AP photo)

MOSCOW, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Russia will start to repair its sole aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov later in 2017 and arm it with new equipment, a senior navy official said Tuesday.

"I think the renovation will begin this year," Viktor Bursuk, deputy commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy, was quoted by RIA Novosti news agency as saying.

Bursuk said the aircraft carrier will not undergo major modifications but "new models of equipment" will be installed on the vessel.

Admiral Kuznetsov returned to its home base in February from the Mediterranean, where it participated in an anti-terrorist mission in Syria.

During two months of combat operations, Admiral Kuznetsov's aircraft carried out 420 sorties, but two jets rolled off the deck after the arresting wires broke.