MOSCOW (AP) – A Russian news agency reported Tuesday that the country plans to build five or six aircraft carriers as part of efforts to rebuild its once-formidable navy.The Interfax news agency quoted an unidentified Russian navy official as saying construction of the ships should start in 2012-2013.

The official was quoted as saying that plans to build the carriers are a top priority for the military, and they will not be derailed by the financial crisis.