Yaryag undergoing work through 2004 in the Dalian Shipyards
Varyag after movement to another shipyard in 2005
Posted on 08/14/2005 6:00:25 PM PDT by Jeff Head
Is China building a carrier?
By Yihong Chang JDW Correspondent &
Andrew Koch JDW Bureau Chief
Hong Kong & Washington, DC
Chinese shipyard workers have been repairing a badly damaged ex-Russian aircraft carrier and have repainted it with the country's military markings, raising the question once again of whether China is pursuing longer-term plans to field its first carrier.
In the latest developments, images show that workers at the Chinese Dalian Shipyard have repainted the ex-Russian Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier Varyag with the markings and colour scheme of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy (PLAN). Additional new photographs show that other work, the specifics of which could not be determined, appears to be continuing and that the condition of the vessel is being improved.
JDW believes that PLAN technicians have also conducted thorough studies of the basic structure of the Varyag during the past few years to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the carrier's structural design. Former PLAN commander General Liu Huaqing stated in his memoirs that China had purchased blueprints for the carrier - a fact that Russian sources confirmed to JDW. Moreover, Gen Huaqing added: "The competent departments of the defence industry employed Russian aircraft carrier designers to come to China and give lectures."
Still, China's ultimate intentions for the Varyag remain unclear. One possibility is that Beijing intends to eventually have it enter into some level of service. A military strategist from a Chinese military university has commented publicly that the Varyag "would be China's first aircraft carrier".
(Excerpt) Read more at janes.com ...
I was an XO on a Los Angeles class nuclear attack sub. Please believe me when I tell you the Chinese stand no chance against our fleet, none.
In the end...they were right, but not until after those people who did not perceive them as a threat were moved out of the way and not until after a lot of tons of US Navy shipping was sunk by that supposedly impotent foe.
The Chinese are building a blue water Navy. Irrespective of what we think...or even know about our own capabilities (and we are in agreement regarding those capabilities), there can only be one point to such a navy in the Western Rim. Ultimnatley they plan to challenge us. We cannot take such a challenge lightly, or presume that they pose no threat and are incapavble of doing us harm.
That is my only point.
BTW, from my family to your...thanks for your service to our Republic.
It may well end up there...but it, along with the rest of the very modern and very rapid buildup of their naval forces, also will pose a threat that we cannot take lightly. This is particularly true in the litoral waters near the Chinese mainland where they have massive air support available, air support which itself is also being increased and modernized very rapidly.
As an argument, I am not impressed, although thank you for your service.
Consider THIS Irrefutable Retort: You don't what you don't know.
And the USN doesn't know a LOT in that neck of the woods as demonstrably proved by one of our attack submarines...the USS San Fransisco in January of this year...and the object it hit obviously wasn't moving...whereas a Chinese Air-Independent would be able to....
The Chinese are watching all of this, the ramming of the Japanese training ship, the collission with the mountain that was clearly on the Russian's charts, but surprisingly, not ours, plus the GWB Administration's clear intentions to cut down to 28 Los Angeles class boats, and 9 carriers, and NO DDX, NO F-22's, and NO F-35s No S-3's, a Seriously and egregiously eroded ASW asset base... ....and these are the guys who have to be deterred. So please stop preening excessively about our naval omnipotence. I know it is important for esprit de Corps to feel the way you do, but frankly, for policy purposes, it is counterproductive. So stand down. It is necessary to maintain public support for the infrastructure and the forces to deter. We need to send a message that cannot be misunderstood...production. That was key among Reagans' moves in Defense in the '80's. Richard Fischer helped guide us then. And he will now, if people only listen.
It is "test of wills" stuff at the highest political echelons...which sometimes is far more critical than even the technology or bravery and courage of our men at the pointy end of the spear.
Thank you for the message.
What's the maximum diving depth of our subs? (Attack subs and boomers.)
Inquiring landlocked minds want to know...
Well, then... it's true that we have seven. :)
Never said it wasn't :)...just that we have twelve.
so
hard
to
use...
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