Aircraft carrier plan shows China naval ambitions

Agence France Presse (AFP) ^ | 11/18/2010 | Sebastien Blanc

[sukhoi-30mki]

Aircraft carrier plan shows China naval ambitions

By Sebastien Blanc (AFP)

BEIJING — The new generation of combat aircraft China proudly showed off at the Zhuhai Air Show in the country's south this week could soon be taking off from a prestigious runway: an aircraft carrier.

Beijing has become increasingly assertive in its ambitions on the high seas -- as demonstrated by recent tensions with old rival Japan -- but still lacks this naval centrepiece.

This looks set to change.

Although it has not officially announced as much, China is working on a carrier and Western experts believe it could be launched as early as next year, though not in a fully operational state.

It is a former Soviet aircraft carrier called the Varyag, currently being refurbished in the port city of Dalian in northeast China.

Rick Fisher, a Chinese military expert at the International Assessment and Strategy Centre in the United States, told AFP the Pentagon estimates China's carrier will start operations by 2015.

"This is a reasonable projection. China could have enough of the carrier air wing flying by that time to start developing carrier operating procedures and fighting tactics," he said.

Fisher said that Chinese leaks to media in Hong Kong and Japan last year indicated that Beijing plans a five-strong carrier fleet, including two nuclear-powered vessels.

Arthur Ding, an expert on the People's Liberation Army, which operates the country's navy, said owning an aircraft carrier is a prestige issue for China, whose 2.3-million-strong military is already the world's largest.

This is particularly so when neighbours -- and rivals -- including Japan and India are already equipped with them, said Ding, of National Chengchi University in Taiwan.

[sukhoi-30mki]

Chinese J-10 fighter jets perfom in Zhuhai at the Airshow China 2010

Graphic showing the epic voyage of the Soviet-built Varyag aircraft carrier

The Russian-made Varyag aircraft carrier is seen in Dalian port, northeast China in 2002, where it is being refurbished

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"Fisher said that Chinese leaks to media in Hong Kong and Japan last year indicated that Beijing plans a five-strong carrier fleet, including two nuclear-powered vessels."

Troubling. They will be second only to us in the amount of aircraft carriers. Japan and India need to start stepping up. I know that India's Navy has been growing. I don't know about Japans...

[null and void]

I believe Japan is limited to a coastal defense force as part of the terms of surrender.

[Lurker]

They will be second only to us in the amount of aircraft carriers.

Carrier operations are exceedingly complex. The US has over 70 years of experience in the area. China has none. While these may be 'operational' in a couple of years they will take at least a decade to gain any serious profiency in carrier operations.

[flowerplough]

Not an historian, just an observer, but China’s immediate goals seem to be Taiwan, revenge against Japan for certain World War II atrocities, and the respect and deference of her Western peers. And China’s oncoming, self-inflicted, male-skewed population ratio will make agression and even conquest that much more likely, hayna?

[Joe Boucher]

Why should Japan get into a spending war on arms with the chi-coms.
They and S. Korea, as well as others spend their bucks on business and rely on the U.S. to protect their asses.

[Clock King]

They’ve been around as a civilization for over a thousand years. They’re not worried about needing another decade to get proficient. What they have and what we lack (now) is a vision of where they want their society to be in the future.

[Sergio]

How much anti-sub experience doe the Chinese have?

I would think a half dozen diesel/electric (AIP) subs each, in the Indian, Taiwanese, and Japanese navies, armed with heavy torpedoes, would bottle up the Chinese navy quite nicely.

[MichaelP]

They are planning on a Fleet Carrier Battle Group. See Jeff Head's site: Jeff's site

Mike

[onedoug]

And China’s oncoming, self-inflicted, male-skewed population ratio will make agression and even conquest that much more likely, hayna?

For the sake of access to women?

It seems they´re really stuck between staying as ethnically Chinese as possible, or admitting that to maintain their national coherence they´ve they´ve got to mate with ¨mongrels¨.

It sucks as a society to have no source, nor even any sense of transcendent values.

[KingLudd]

Its being refurbished because it rear-ended something. Check out that front end damage. Frame’s probably toast.

[Mariner]

First of all, the article state INCORRECTLY that Japan has a Carrier. They do not.

However, only the US and Japan have been able to build Carriers that are legitimate, deployable and useful ships.

though I hear the Indians are progressing and are able to deploy and launch/retrieve aircraft of limited range and capability.

Today, only the US has a legit carrier force...and China has DECADES of learning to do before they can have anything other than their prestigious "White Elephant".

[Mariner]

"They and S. Korea, as well as others spend their bucks on business and rely on the U.S. to protect their asses."

BS.

Japan has the second best Navy in the world right now...and probably the 3rd best Air Force.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"While these may be 'operational' in a couple of years they will take at least a decade to gain any serious profiency in carrier operations."

What you are saying is true. Heck, even the article alludes to it when talking about this first aircraft carrier they got from Russia being a sort of training tool to teach them how to build their own. However, when they gain this proficiency, is there any doubt that they will aim this new found power at Taiwain? Right now, all their talk against Taiwain is just bluster because no matter how large their Military is, it's a joke if they don't have the ability to move them anywhere. How about when they get the ability to project power beyond their borders? Then it won't be a joke and Taiwain won't be laughing. This could cause South Korea to start building up their Naval forces and I think it's about high time that Japan amends their constitution to allow more than defensive operations.

[jboot]

Japan has recently launched two "Helicopter Destroyers" that are in fact small aircraft carriers capable (with modifications) of operating the F-35. Another pair of substantially larger "Helicopter Destroyers" are in the works. If completed, they will at least theoretically give Japan effective power projection capability. Unfortunately, the Japanese may be unable to utilize them in that role even in an emergency.

As someone else pointed out,the Japanese are severely hampered by the self-defense clause in their constitution. In order to build up militarily they must maintain an environment where "one hand does not know what the other is doing." Any attempt to outfit their new "carriers" for offensive operations will certainly be met with intense political opposition.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"I believe Japan is limited to a coastal defense force as part of the terms of surrender."

You are correct sir. It's in their constitution that they can only perform defensive operations. However, they have gotten "special permission" to help in situations. Such as mine sweeping during the first Persian Gulf War. They have also done some interdicting of Somalai Pirates I believe.

I think they need to amend their constitution to take that out. Especially for their Navy. They are an island nation that depends upon maritime trade as their lifeblood. They need a strong Navy and having China build up her Navy can't be good for Japan.

[Mariner]

The JMSDF has an official strength of 46,000 personnel (currently around 45,800 personnel), operating some 110 major warships, including 2 helicopter carriers, 18 submarines, 47 destroyers and frigates, 29 mine warfare ships, 9 patrol craft and 9 amphibious ships (total displacement of approx. 432,000 tons)[2]. It also has 179 fixed-wing aircraft and 135 helicopters. Most of these aircraft are used in antisubmarine and mine warfare operations.[3]

[GonzoGOP]

They and S. Korea, as well as others spend their bucks on business and rely on the U.S. to protect their asses.

Because the US in on the verge of complete economic collapse. If Soros completes his destruction of the US dollar we will be forced to dance to whatever tune the bankers in China decide to play. We are going to be forced East to Hawaii or at best Guam and the Marianas.

Obama won't fight, because he is both a communist and a coward. Even if the GOP takes back the presidency Obama and the socialists have done so much damage that the US can't afford to fight China. Japan might soon find itself in the middle of a Chinese lake with no dependable friends. The Japanese Maritime Self Defense force can take any navy in the world ship for ship. The JMSDF just needs to start building ships like the old IJN.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"Japan has recently launched two "Helicopter Destroyers" that are in fact small aircraft carriers capable (with modifications) of operating the F-35. Another pair of substantially larger "Helicopter Destroyers" are in the works."

Are these akin to LPHs, LHAs and Wasp class amphibs? I trained with Japanese Marines in Hokaido Japan. Very disciplined and eager to learn and train.

[TalonDJ]

First of all, the article state INCORRECTLY that Japan has a Carrier. They do not.

Yes they do.

However, only the US and Japan have been able to build Carriers that are legitimate, deployable and useful ships.

And the English, and the French and the Italians and the Russians. And a lot of other countries have a lot of experience with deploying used carriers they got from other countries. Just because you don't consider something 'legitimate' or 'useful' does not mean it does not have strategic significance and tactical utility.