[rightwing2]

CHINA has taken delivery of a Ukrainian aircraft carrier and will try to copy the decommissioned vessel in an attempt to expand its naval power

I have been saying that the PLA Navy would use Varyag as the model for their own new class of 60,000 ton aircraft carriers for the last three years. The ChiCom plan is to build three flattops with the assistance of Russian naval technicians by 2011. They already can produce four carriers simultaneously as opposed to the US ability to produce only two at the same time. I have also been stating that the ChiCom cover story of 'floating casinos' was a bogus ruse to play down the military threat that they pose in the minds of US policymakers. This represents more vindication for myself and others here on FR who have been saying the same.

The 1,000ft Varyag is the largest of at least three former Soviet carriers acquired by China.

Actually the ChiComs have acquired four Russian aircraft carriers as I have pointed on out in my earlier posts although the fourth carrier, the Kiev, may still be in transit from Russia to the PRC.

[rightwing2]

BUMP!

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

China pays 17m for giant Soviet carrier

[johniegrad]

Making them is different than operating them. Good luck, they'll be behind for years.

[montomike]

As an ex bubblehead, sounds like one heck of a big target. I wonder if it would take one or two MK-48 ADCAPS?

[Thud]

We should sell the Chinese a stripped, decommissioned, Enterprise if we really want to screw 'em. They'd blow so much money on trying to duplicate it that they'll never be a threat to us.

[Poohbah]

I have been saying that the PLA Navy would use Varyag as the model for their own new class of 60,000 ton aircraft carriers for the last three years. The ChiCom plan is to build three flattops with the assistance of Russian naval technicians by 2011.

One fast-attack with Mark 48 ADCAPs would be sufficient to settle their hash if they start feeling froggy.

[vannrox]

[vannrox]

15:22 2001-11-02

DMIRY LITVINOVICH: BUSINESS IN UKRAINE. OR VARYAG’S LAST TRIP

How pitiful it is to take leave of the USSR’s former grandeur.

The country where we were born has disappeared from geographical maps, and all we have now is to complain about unwise politicians.

At the beginning of the 80s, in Nikolaev plant building an up-to-date aircraft-carrier Varyag was launched. This was the aircraft-carrier of new generation, leaving behind American “brothers” what about technical descriptions and quantity of armament on board. In its building, unique engineering working were used, allowing to aircraft to take off practically without starting run.

The ship was prepared to 80 percent, when the USSR collapsed.

After sharing the Black Sea Fleet, the unfinished ship passed to Ukraine. Of course, Ukraine did not have money to complete the building. The ship was gradually rusting, costly equipment was removed from it, while other details were stolen.

Ukraine tried to sell what remained from the ship, though it did not find any serious buyers. Finally, a buyer appeared. That was a Chinese businessman who decided to turn the ship into a kind of floating casino.

In its first and last trip to Chinese coast, Varyag should go this summer, though because of Turkey’s disagreement to let the ship pass through Bosporus, the trip was put off. Today, according to telegraph agencies, all contradictions are settled, and the ship went though Bosporus. 16 pilots were piloting the ship, while 250 people were guaranteeing its security from shore.

Why China needs the ship is unknown, though there is a rumour China has some troubles in its aircraft-carrier programme.

Lack of qualified staff and of experience in building ships of such a level does not allow to China to claim to world power standard. They probably, need the ship as a kind of visual aids. If China obtains what it plans, then in 5-10 years its ambitions will become a headache for Russia.

Russia does not have funds for its fleet’s modernization, all the more for building a new one. Something is being done, though it is not enough. Why Russia did not buy the unfinished aircraft-carrier to complete its building? And now we could only regret the ship with its proud name “Varyag” has been turned into a gambling-den.

Dmitry Litvinovich

[Rebelbase]

The U.S. should convince France to offer the ChiComms help in buiding aircraft carriers.

[thepainster]

Would they build thier carries from scratch, or just finish building out the Russian ships?

[Rebelbase]

I'd say it looks like were at about 1934-1935 right now?

[Jeff Head]

In the new novel, Dragon's Fury - Breath of Fire, , the Red Chinese use the construction of two such vessels as a cover for other efforts equally disturbing.

Dragon's Fury - Breath of Fire
A Novel of the coming Third World War

[RichInOC]

I thought they had enough access to us that they could copy the good stuff, and they're going to crib off the Red Fleet instead? Dumbasses.

[New Zealander]

That looks a bit like a carrier designed for VTOL aircraft - do the Chinese have any VTOL aircraft?

[Hugin]

Building carriers is one thing. Operating them is another. And operating them effectively is yet another.

My guess is if they get them built, they won't have the money to operate them. China's economy is in deep do-do, with 20% unemployment, which is expected to increase by 30% a year for the next decade at least. Moreover to keep their membership in the WTO they are going to have to do some serious reforms, which will hit the old state owned businesses really hard. That will exacerbate the problem.

Finally if the get them built, and they can afford to run them, they have no experience in actually running and maintaining them. I expect they would be about as effective against the US Navy as the Argentine aircraft carrier was against the Brits in '82.

How do you say "big expensive slow-moving target" in Chinese?