Is China Building Its Own Aircraft Carrier?

COL Ted Mc — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:05:34 -0400

From "IHS Janes"

http://www.janes.com/article/54833/china-may-be-building-first-indigenous-carrier?utm_campaign=[PMP]_PC5308_J360%2030.09.15_KV_Deployment&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

China may be building first indigenous carrier

Key Points

An unidentified hull in an advanced state of construction at Dalian shipyard could be China's first indigenous aircraft carrier
While a conclusive identification of the hull as an aircraft carrier cannot be made until work is observed on the upper decks and potential flight deck, the slow pace of assembly and outline suggests a military hull under construction

Satellite imagery suggests that China may be building its first aircraft carrier at Dalian shipyard in northern China.

Airbus Defence and Space imagery captured on 22 September suggests that the possible carrier is under construction in the dry dock associated with the refit and repair of Liaoning (CV16), the Soviet-era Kuznetsov-class carrier acquired from Ukraine that is now in People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) service.

The new hull, first noted under construction in imagery captured on 10 March, is in an advanced state of assembly.

China may be building first indigenous carrier - IHS Jane's 360

Key Points An unidentified hull in an advanced state of construction at Dalian shipyard could be China's first indigenous aircraft carrier While a conclusive identification of the hull as an aircraft carrier cannot be made until work is observed on the upper decks and potential flight deck, the

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 1:08 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:08:01 -0400

China seems to be ramping up their military, as does Russia, while ours is ratcheted down. It would not surprise me if they do build their own. They are expanding their reach in the South China Sea towards Taiwan every day.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 1:08 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:08:41 -0400

Don't they already have the world's biggest Navy? Is that fact they may not be importing that significant? What am I missing?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 1:17 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:17:56 -0400

I figured this was coming eventually, I just didn't know how long it would take. They will have a lot of training to do once it's complete.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Sep 30 at 2015 1:36 PM

SN Greg Wright — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:36:02 -0400

COL Ted Mc I find this pretty funny, since the probable reason they're doing this is that they can't launch anything with more weight than fuel load off their ex-Soviet carrier.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 30 at 2015 1:44 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:44:00 -0400

COL Ted Mc - My only comment, given my self-proclaimed limited knowledge of the Navy, (despite my 8 months in Norfolk, VA and 3 years in Naples, Italy) is that I am surprised China did not already have carriers.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Sep 30 at 2015 1:53 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:53:54 -0400

COL Ted Mc It wouldn't surprise me. China is challenging US hegemony in WESTPAC and a carrier built for and by China is another carrier Valle group in their Order of Battle as well as a propaganda victory for the PLAN.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 30 at 2015 1:54 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:54:24 -0400

Is this a surprise to anyone?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 2:55 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:55:45 -0400

Yes. This will be their second, but first indigenously produced. It will be diesel/steam, not nuclear. And about 60% the size of US carriers.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Sep 30 at 2015 3:54 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:54:54 -0400

Open secret

Response by PO3 Michael James made Sep 30 at 2015 7:38 PM

PO3 Michael James — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:38:03 -0400

Do we really want to underestimate ANY foreign power ?? Even those who appear to be friendly ?? Remember Dec. 7th 1941 ?? We are NO longer Loved or Appreciated by any foreign country...

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Oct 1 at 2015 10:40 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 10:40:56 -0400

In order for us to move ahead, we need one of these.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 1 at 2015 1:07 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 13:07:12 -0400

They are building airstrips in the middle of the oceans. They might as well save the money.