The Rising Sea Dragon in Asia (PLAN) - 2008 Update

The Rising Sea Dragon in Asia ^ | January 2, 2008 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

For those following the growth and modernization of the Red Chinese Fleet (PLAN), here is my 2008 update.

[Jeff Head]

FYI...my 2008 update.

[al baby]

It does not give me the warm fuzzies

[Jeff Head]

They are rapidly, and consistantly building up their forces...and modernizing them very rapidly, quickly closing the gap with us which had been a good 25+ years in the late 90s and which now has shrunk to just a few years in many areas.

What they are doing in terms of shipbuilding is simply breathtaking and phenominal.

[2ndDivisionVet]

A man (Jimmy Carter), a PLAN, a canal, Panama!

[sukhoi-30mki]

The Type-054A frigates are what impresses me the most.These are relatively low cost & decently armed(don’t know about electronics/sensors) & could have the same success that the US OHP class or the French Lafayette have had as export platforms.More so,if they get manage to integrate European subsystems on it,like they are doing for Pakistan’s F-22P frigates.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Jeff Head]

Exactly...and now the Red Chinese are aligning themselves with every tin horn that opposes us (Iran, Venezuela, etc.)...no surprize there, but they are rapidly adding some muscle to it.

...and they are deeply into the canal and Panama, as well as numerous other places in Central and South America as well as the Carribean, Africa, and elsewhere.

[Eagles6]

Excellent work. Very scary stuff.

[eekitsagreek]

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article3298364.ece

2008: The year a new superpower (China) is born.

[al baby]

With our walmart purchase’s we better wake up

[B4Ranch]

This does not give me the warm fuzzies!

U.S. carrier help? (Admiral offers help to China)

Adm. Tim Keating, the U.S. Pacific Command leader, told reporters during his visit to China last month that while building and operating a carrier battle group is complex, the United States is willing to help.

"We would, if they choose to develop [an aircraft-carrier program], help them to the degree that they seek and the degree that we're capable, in developing their programs," Adm. Keating said.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1845931/posts

U.S. may share missile info with China
WASHINGTON, June 4 (UPI) -- The United States would "seriously" consider sharing technology and missile warning intelligence with China, (Secretary of Defense Gates) the U.S. defense chief said Sunday.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1846099/posts

Some China firms avoid U.S. technology transfer licenses

WASHINGTON: Six months ago, the U.S. government quietly eased some restrictions on the export of sensitive technologies to China. The new approach was intended to help U.S. companies increase sales of high-technology equipment to China despite tight curbs on sharing technology that might have military applications.

But now the administration is facing questions from weapons experts about whether some equipment - newly authorized for export to Chinese companies deemed trustworthy by Washington - could instead end up helping China modernize its military. Equally worrisome, the weapons experts say, is the possibility that China could share the technology with Iran or Syria.

[Jeff Head]

They are very impressive and by all accounts, look to be built in some numbers. Maybe 20-25 for the PLAN, plus who knows how many on the export market if they decide to export them.

I am still trying to track down the exact status of the SU-33 deal with the Chinese. I cannot find verification that the 1st two were delivered for study...but apparently those two, plus a couple of additional batches (12 and then like 36) have been tendered if the PLAN is interested.

[Brad from Tennessee]

Rebuilding the Varyag is one thing but building a viable carrier launched air wing is another. Since the Chinese are building amphibious warships, is there any chance the Varyag may be used for troop-carrying helicopters?

[eekitsagreek]

Some more China/US articles...

http://www.chinasecurity.us/News_View.asp?NewsID=81

[Sandreckoner]

“Clearly the trend shows that the PLAN is rapidly closing the gap between itself and the US Navy”

“The gap” is closing? So when they reach the same number of ships, they’ll be the U.S. Navy’s equal? And they’re just “a few years” behind us now?

If that’s true, we suck, and have for a long time. So do the Russians, and pretty well everyone else. It’s amazing that the Chinese will have managed to develop a peer navy within a few short years, whether it be in terms numerical, technological or operational. Truly, truly amazing.

[Travis McGee]

Olympics 2008

Taiwan 2009?

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

And what do the ‘Rats think the Chinese are building these for? And at such a rapid rate? C’mon Hillary. Tell us. They’re your friends.

[Jeff Head]

They were offered the SU-33 from the Russians last year...up to 50 of them. My guess is, they will get some of them and then license build their own, like they are doing the SU-27 and perhaps the SU-30s. I also bet we see a navalized version fo the J-10 or its follow-on at some point.

Once the Varyag is complete, I also expect the PLAN to build two of their own carriers in fairly quick order...probably simultaneously like they have been doing with their other new major surface combatants.

[Sandreckoner]

“2008: The year a new superpower (China) is born”

Link through from that article to their 2006 pieces and you’ll read that, truly, we are screwed. America is in decline, and will be eclipsed sooner or later by China, regardless of what we do. Just lay back and accept it as truth, and inevitable.