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 ...
The question is why? They have enough bases all around the world to project power virtually anywhere without the use of a vulnerable and expensive aircraft carrier. I just don't see it.
Nimitz class: Nimitz, Eisenhower (on RCOH status right now, though), Vinson, Roosevelt, Lincoln, Washington, Stennis, Truman, Ronald Reagan. The USS George H. W. Bush is building in the yards with a 2008 delivery date.
Kennedy class: USS John F. Kennedy
Enterprise class: USS Enterprise.
I *think* the USS Kitty Hawk (name ship of the class) is still in service (permanent forward deployment in Japan), while Constellation (of the same class) has been decommissioned.
Additionally, in the litoral waters within the 1st island chain, covered by their significant numbers of land based air, a couple of carriers backed up with large numbers of their new AEGIS-like DDG's, would present a much more difficult task for us.
All of the bravado not withstanding, we are foolish to underestimate them.
Take a look at the class description for Varyag. It's supposed to support a sub fleet by itself; it's not a primary offensive weapon like our Nimitz class.
And China is well underway on nuclear ballistic missle subs. Theve sucsesfully launched from a sub
They are mobile, much harder to target and allow us to project our presence globally, anytime, anywhere.
The Chinese desire the same capability...startying in their own backyard.
Good Man! Golden Citizen to you my friend.!
That looks supiciously like the early CVNX proposals....
But isn't an aircraft carrier for projecting power outside the bounds of land-based air?
Im still waiting for the USS Reagan to hit my hobby store. Hear its gonna cost $250. Worth it.
The Chinese will start there. I believe they will eventually produce full deck carriers. Starting at 65000 tons puts them (with the Russians) in second place in terms of size of carriers.
Eventually...but they have to crack that nut first.
And no one has attempted to swarm our aircraft carriers with cruise missles, which is the only way to kill them, as far as I can see.
The best way to stay a VERY CLEAR # 1 in any arena, e.g., naval expertise, is not to discount the enemy, but to rather exaggerate every advance they make or merely even plan to make, so as to justify the production of the very latest thing, which they, in Socialism land, are not apt to author.
Why do you think the Chinese consider aircraft carriers to be worthless???? Because they plan to attack ours???
They have a great deal of respect for aircraft carriers. That's why they take ours so seriously. They have centered the PLAN on a mission, not on submarines.
good photo lol.
Globally, there is no comparison. But locally, at least at the outset, in the litoral waters of the China Sea and over Taiwan, there could be a hotly contested fight in the next 5-10 years.
Mr. Sample, I never said they were worthless. Please read my posts. I said they are vulnerable.
They are building ships to do just that...but I still believe that the sub-surface threat, particularly if a true, operational, powerful supercavitating weapon is ever developed, is an equal or greater threat.
It would be relatively inexpensive to dress it up properly, add a number of escort ships, and then cruise it around the world making port calls everywhere.
The diplomatic PR value would far outweigh the cost.
It doesn't actually have to work as a combat platform to sway the easily impressed.
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