[Tallguy]

My personal opinion is that the Varyag is there to provide defensive air cover & airborne ASW coverage for the CG's & DDG's and that's about it. Her offensive capabilities are marginal.

[Jeff Head]

That was the Soviet doctrine...it is yet to be seen if the Chinese will adopt the same doctrine.

The vessel can carry a larger and more divers airwing than what the russians use. If it turns out that their negotiations for a more multi-role version of the SU-33 comes about, adding the air to surface targeting and munitions and vectored thrust, they could develop a credible, albeit not too long range, strike capability.