somewhat of an update; China Unveils Carrier Plan and apparently it is now within a few weeks of official launch - the air group has not yet been identified positively although is believed to be intended to be SU-33 or more likely the j-15 Chinese near copy and upgrade of it. The fact that they apparently have two more larger carriers building (although think this is still unconfirmed) makes it seem likely that they will catch up quicker than some people think. Interested to see if a big thing will be made out of the launch etc. of the Varyag/Shi-Lang this next few months....
I dont care what the chinese say they are going to use that ship for, I trust them on that as much as I can trust in myself to pick up a NYC skyscraper with my left pinkie, and toss it 1 mile away.
I think that because they've done it before, they could very possibly do it again - seems unlikely in the near future due to the economic ties, but things change.
Spartanroller, Yep, at least three times. The First Opium War(UK), The Second Opium War(UK & France, minor skirmishing with US troops towards the end, and Russia offered to assist, but no troops were sent), and The Boxer Rebellion(Eight Nation Alliance - UK, France, Russia, US, Italy, Japan, Germany, Austria-Hungary). Will it happen again? Who knows what the political landscape will look like in 10, 20 or 30 years? A lot can happen.
Personally, I have always wondered "if", how quickly, and would it be cost effective(if the Chinese even care about reconstruction and refurbishment costs) the old Kiev and Minsk could be made combat-ready, should China so choose.
I get the feeling that just to get their carrier force started, they wouldn't care at all - it would give them a starting point.
Thing is-to China-they have all the money in the world to spend on refurbing stuff-most of it is in US Dollars :-(( So essentially, the Americans are paying the CHinese to build their economy and military. >:-((
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Great Britain made good use of its fleet of aircraft carriers, particularly the famous Ark Royal. It were the plames of that vessel that torpedoed the Bismark and made it possible for the British battleship to catch on it and sink it. And the same swordfish planes sank the better italian battleships in Taranto.
China is not really building an aircraft carrier. It bought a carrier that the Russians had started to build several years back and are refitting it.
When they bought from the Russians was essentially an unfinished hulk. The carrier, designed to be the 2nd ship of the Admiral Kutnezsov class, didn't even have rudders when it was sold to the Chinese to turn into a "floating casino". That goes to show you the condition that it was in during the 1990s when it was sold. Over the past several years, the Chinese added engines (albeit outdated steam turbines), "modern" AA defences, capapults, etc. They basically turned an aircraft carrier hulk that was basically a big barge into a warship. It is not comparable to the American flattops in any regard, but it does give the PLAN valuable experience in carrier development and operations.
When I saw this posted this morning, I remembered that I had also seen an article from Taiwan touting their own "aircraft killer" missile. I doubt it is a pure co-inky-dink. Goto: As China Launches Aircraft Carrier, Taiwan Touts
A buddy sent me a 'news' report of a Chinese carrier design that was to have a catamoran hull with two (2) flight decks and a central storage deck for and aft of the Island. Wish I had saved it and its artist renditions. I sure we would all get a kick out of it!
Interesting ramped bow on that ship. I think we are lucky PRC has not gone after Taiwan already as it is a major strategic objective for them, long term. The Tiger waits. They are most likely undermining them from within and without. Imagine the espionage vendettas going on in that theater on a daily basis. Very reminiscent of the U.S. - Soviet / Bloc Cold War. I often wondered whether Thatcher had a Taiwan clause in the Hong Kong deal? Anyone read any good historical books on this topic? Thanks.
The ship left its moorings yesterday, and is (presumably) undergoing preliminary sea trials as we speak. A no fly and no sail zone has been established just south of Dalian for five days -- presumably the carrier in it. This is the slip that the ex-Varyag has been anchored at for its reconstruction, and it is no longer there this morning: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--sEoA8sVero/TkI13sa92GI/AAAAAAAALw0/y8yHzll7qhw/s1600/1312947139_52708.jpg
Lol. Aircraft carrier killer...Isn't that just a big missile? Guessing it's a cruise type. I'd rather a mach 9 ballistic missile that goes into orbit, then makes a 3 point landing on flight deck. That would be an AC killer.