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Chinese shipyard workers have been repairing a badly damaged ex-Russian aircraft carrier and have repainted it with the country's military markings, raising the question once again of whether China is pursuing longer-term plans to field its first carrier.

In the latest developments, images show that workers at the Chinese Dalian Shipyard have repainted the ex-Russian Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier Varyag with the markings and colour scheme of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy (PLAN). Additional new photographs show that other work, the specifics of which could not be determined, appears to be continuing and that the condition of the vessel is being improved.

JDW believes that PLAN technicians have also conducted thorough studies of the basic structure of the Varyag during the past few years to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the carrier's structural design. Former PLAN commander General Liu Huaqing stated in his memoirs that China had purchased blueprints for the carrier - a fact that Russian sources confirmed to JDW. Moreover, Gen Huaqing added: "The competent departments of the defence industry employed Russian aircraft carrier designers to come to China and give lectures."

Still, China's ultimate intentions for the Varyag remain unclear. One possibility is that Beijing intends to eventually have it enter into some level of service. A military strategist from a Chinese military university has commented publicly that the Varyag "would be China's first aircraft carrier".

   

If China figures out how to build Carriers, their massive workforce could pump them out very quickly, and pilots, even terrible ones, would be easy to recruit... This could make China a very dangerous Millitary power over the next few decades...

   

From what I understand the Russians were putting on a big dog and pony for the PLA Navy, hoping for some purchases or shipyard orders. It was run in conjunction with the big maritime exercise recently completed. If they are trying to get a carrier, they are headed for a very steep learning curve in Carrier Battle Group tactics.

   

I dont think China is a threat,if Japanese would stay put and leave them alone we wont have this.

   

How do you figure that the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force is threatening China?

   

They are learning that modern warships are more than just the gear, the crew also needs to be well trained & practiced and that can't be done in port or in simulators. That means that they need more oil, fuel, ammuition, spares, etc, etc,etc. Like you say, it's going to be an expensive trip for them.
An active carrier deck is probably the most exacting & demanding work enviroment in the world and I'm shocked that France has kept at it for so long. From what I've been reading, maybe they shouldstop.

   

If anything Japan needs to embark rearming their navy to counter the Chinese threat in the region.

   

Mario - after considerable Googling, I can't find anything about this.... could you post your link, please?

   

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ ... ina/cv.htm

   

Their workforce would be hindered by a large number of aspects, not least by the fact that communist countries have never allocated resources very efficiently, and tended to have too much of useless parts, and too little of usefull ones.



Not to mention that carriers need to be protected, and if they wish to put carriers out to see they would need subs, cruisers, frigates, support ships, etc.

   

I'm wondering the same...

   

Which they already have. The Russians have been selling off their once powerful navy at value village prices. Subs, frigates, and carriers, everything must go! Theyv'e also been buying Russian designs for aircraft and tanks for years and improving on them.

If China wants to be naval power, they could probably do a good job of it. The question is funding. I remember reading somewhere that it costs the US a billion or few a year to run a carrier, and they have 13 (with two more on the way).If the Chinese can put up that kind of money they can do it.

   

Communist countries? I thought we were talking about China. They're actually beginning to hand out defense contracts to private companies.

http://www.sinodefence.com/news/2005/news05-05-29.asp




http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/magazi ... .navy.html

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/article ... 4104.shtml

http://washingtontimes.com/specialrepor ... -6621r.htm

All of this points to the development of a Chinese navy that hopes to counter the American navy in the western Pacific and prevent any chance of Japanese intervention.

   

As am I.

   

Russia has been selling their rusted out, nuclear disaster waiting to happen, parts of their navy. Much of it is 30 years out of date, and frought with problems such as a lack of anti-air capabilities.

I'll put it another way, they need good vessels to defend their carriers.



The question is in getting a credible anti-air defense up and perfecting their designs, before it becomes a matter of simply cranking them out.

   

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