Lakhta Naval Air Base

The air base was closed due to military downsizing and economic restructuring following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Its primary operational unit, the 45th Independent Shipborne Anti-Submarine Helicopter Regiment of the Northern Fleet, was disbanded in 1994. This eliminated the base's core mission, as the number of naval vessels requiring helicopter detachments was significantly reduced, making a dedicated base of this type redundant and financially unsustainable.

The air base is closed and in a state of abandonment. The runway, taxiways, and aprons are severely degraded and unusable for any regular aviation operations. Satellite imagery shows the runway surface is cracked and overgrown in places. While some of the original hangars and support buildings are still standing, many are derelict. The former airfield grounds are partially used for non-aviation purposes, such as industrial material storage and as an informal driving practice area. The site is not maintained and has effectively become a brownfield site.

During the Cold War, Lakhta Naval Air Base was a significant installation for Soviet Naval Aviation, specifically supporting the powerful Northern Fleet. It was the home base for the 45th Independent Shipborne Anti-Submarine Helicopter Regiment (45-й ОКПЛВП). The base's primary function was to train and equip helicopter detachments for deployment on the fleet's major surface combatants, including cruisers, destroyers, and large anti-submarine ships. Operations focused on anti-submarine warfare (ASW), maritime patrol, and search-and-rescue (SAR). The main aircraft operated from Lakhta were shipborne helicopters, most notably the Kamov Ka-25 'Hormone' and later its more advanced replacement, the Kamov Ka-27 'Helix' and its variants. The base was crucial for projecting the Northern Fleet's anti-submarine capabilities into the Barents Sea, the Norwegian Sea, and the North Atlantic.

There are no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening Lakhta Air Base. The significant cost required to restore the runway, taxiways, and support infrastructure to modern operational standards is prohibitive. Furthermore, the Arkhangelsk region is already served by two active airports: Arkhangelsk Talagi Airport (ULAA) for major domestic and international flights, and the smaller Vaskovo Airport (ULAH) for regional and general aviation. With no current strategic military or commercial need for a third airport in the immediate area, the reopening of Lakhta is considered highly unlikely.