To: rmlew
No- but the Chinese Navy is, at present and will be for the foreseeable future, grossly inferior to the US Navy.
Now, will more Carriers be needed? Certianly. Especially as tools for power projection. Also the DD(X) and CG(X) type ships will be required as well as additional Virginia class Submarines. But the building programs for most of those ships can be scaled to keep pace with the Chinese buildup- the US lead is so huge, it just has to work to maitiain it at sea.
I suspect that, when it comes down to it, a relative handful of US Submarines, Surface Ships, and Aircraft could deny the control of the South China Sea for a realtively extended period. A pair of complete Carrier Battle Groups- backed up by land-based air and stiffened with additional SSN's, could probably send the whole PLAN (People's Liberation Army Navy- the offical name on the ChiCom Navy) to the bottom in a matter of hours.
Recall, China has only a handful of even semi-modern surface combatants- a pair of Sovremennyy-class Destroyers and a few recently-built ships which compare unfavorably with the old Adams-class Destroyers or a Perry-class FFG.
It's most advanced submarines (those presently under construction- named Project 093) are, at best, going to be comperable to the old Soviet Victor III's. The Han class SSN's that the Chinese have now are first generation boats in every sense the world- no better than a Russian November or a British Dreadnought or a US Natutilis. It's formidible against the other smaller fleets in the region- but nothing compared to US attack boats.
Now, in the future, the Chinese fleet will grow- especially if they're smart and go for the construction of a strong fleet capable of action in Littoral waters in conjunction with an extremely large land-based air force. Such a combination would be difficult for a Blue Water fleet, such as the US Navy, to beat without assembling a large force and taking notable losses. However, such a Chinese fleet would not be a serious threat outside the immidiate region- and could, in absense of a clash of fleets, be attrited with minimal US losses. Certianly, the effacy of such a fleet would be reduced by the fact that us Air-Sea power could close every port in China with relative ease. A combination of mines, Submarines, and Cruise Missiles could devastate ships as they leave and enter while further out US surface vessels and air power would engage ships that dare to venture outside heavy land-based air cover.
To: adamyoshida
No- but the Chinese Navy is, at present and will be for the foreseeable future, grossly inferior to the US Navy. The issue is not a blue water fight, but one which would occure within Chinese Air cover.
Now, will more Carriers be needed? Certianly. Especially as tools for power projection. Also the DD(X) and CG(X) type ships will be required as well as additional Virginia class Submarines. But the building programs for most of those ships can be scaled to keep pace with the Chinese buildup- the US lead is so huge, it just has to work to maitiain it at sea
We are planing to replace 31 Spruance class Destroyers (24 active) and 48 OH Perry Frigates with 32 DDX Zumwalts.
Do the math. That is a loss of 40 ships in our inventory. I say replace the Spriances with 32 DDX and have some new frigates. In the meantime, upgrade the OH Perry's so that can handle teh SM-2 missle instead of the obsolete SM1R.
As I noted before, we normally only keep 1/3 of our fleet deployed at a given point (1/3 more deployable and 1/3 layed up). Of this only about 1/4 is in the Pacific. That means that you should compare China's strength to that of 1/12 to 1/6 of our navy.
Recall, China has only a handful of even semi-modern surface combatants- a pair of Sovremennyy-class Destroyers and a few recently-built ships which compare unfavorably with the old Adams-class Destroyers or a Perry-class FFG.
How does the Soveremennyy compare poorly with an Adams?
It's sam's have the same range (assuming that the Gadflies are not replaced with Grizzlies). However, it still has a better anti-missle defense with its AK-630s.
They carry the Moskit missle, which has a loinger range than the Harpoon IC and is a supersonic sea-skimmer designed to defeat the Aegis/Sm-2 systems.
Frankly, on paper the Soveremenny compares well with the Kidds.
It's most advanced submarines (those presently under construction- named Project 093) are, at best, going to be comperable to the old Soviet Victor III's. The Han class SSN's that the Chinese have now are first generation boats in every sense the world- no better than a Russian November or a British Dreadnought or a US Natutilis. It's formidible against the other smaller fleets in the region- but nothing compared to US attack boats.
You forgot about the diesel-electric subs, which are quiet when running on batteries.
You are correct that we could defeat China ono-on-one. However, China would only act when we are over extended, like today.
23 posted on
07/13/2003 3:34:24 PM PDT by
rmlew
("Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute.")
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson