PRC Peoples Liberation Army Navy

[Ananda]

CCTV few hours ago put video on Fujian completion of 8 days maiden sea trials. Claim as succes as all basic propulsion and electronic systems for sea operations perform as expected.

Seems they are in line for aircraft trials but year end, as some rumours in Chinese media and online enthusiasts claiming. Perhaps that's more to deck landing by helicopters or touch and go fighters trials. I'm still doubt PLA will conduct their EMALS live trials by end of this year.

Some onlines Chinese forumers speculate that each class of carriers will be in two. Thus #1-2 was STOBAR carriers, #3-4 will be this Conventions CATOBAR carriers, while #5-6 will be Nuclear CATOBAR carriers. Thus fulfill PLA supposedly target to have 6 CAG operational by early next decade.

 

[John Fedup]

A working EMALS with GT supplied power will be very interesting. Power problems could make the Fujian a single vessel class and the next carrier will be nuclear. The other important item is a working J-35 which, even with modest stealth, will increase the PLAN's aviation strike capability.

 

[Ananda]

working EMALS with GT supplied power will be very interesting.

For me, problem with the talks on EMALS going to have problem to work on non nuclear carriers, come mostly from calculations on US EMALS power consumption. I'm not saying China ones will use less power, but Chinese EMALS as far as I know had no reliable data open for their power consumption. Just to have to wait and see the results of their operations with Fujian.

Could it be Fujian will be sole carrier in the class? Could Fujian actually only be use as test bed for EMALS before being switch to next class of CVN? All have possibilities, but using one of carrier as trial bed for systems going to be use on next CVN, it is very expensive move, even for China.

Personally I tend to agree with some rumours on Chinese online enthusiasts forums. PLAN will move gradually before goes to CVN with STOBAR class first, then follow with Conventional CATOBAR class, with each has 2 carriers. Still with China, they are could be some surprises in corner.

 

[John Fedup]

I recall the QE class F-35B/F-35C fubar. Apparently had the CATOBAR conversion gone ahead, a third MT30 GT would be required. Even if the conversion was deemed economical (unlikely), the question of EMALS power requirements would still be a concern. Needless to say, a QE CATOBAR carrier with F-35Cs and a couple of Hawkeyes would have resulted in more effective ships for the RN. The down stroke would have been the PLAN accelerating a proven concept thus perhaps having two Fujians today albeit without the J-35s.

 

[Ananda]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1790057841987846280

Chinese Visby ? Seems the exterior shown that, but eventough the detail config not available yet (at least Deino has not shown that), seems in my amateur eyes bit bigger then Swedish Visby.

 

[koxinga]

Yes, estimates is around 100 meters based on previous photo where she was next to a Type 54 at the shipyard.

I have some doubt that she is a test ship. Just too clean and too large. Sensors can always be tested on PLAN test ships and hull forms can be tested at smaller scale.

 

[Ananda]

Futuristic stealth corvette spotted in China

Observations at the Dalian Shipyard in Liaoning, China, have unveiled a new type of military vessel, sparking intrigue and speculation among analysts. The new vessel, identified as a stealth corvette, represents a groundbreaking addition to the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)...

defence-blog.com

Yes, I forgot this corvette already make news by end quarter of last year. Will be interesting if this is going to be type 056 corvette follow up. I'm sceptical this is going to be Type 056 replacement, as some pundits suggest. As type 56 basically still quite young.

Still some reports suggest PLAN want to convert some Type 056 to Coast Guard cutter. So that's possibility this end up as 056 replacement (at least some of them), might still happen. For one thing it can attract some export market in Global South.

 

[koxinga]

We have seen Chinese test ships before.

If it is equipment testing, they use ships with dedicated measurement systems to track performance of those systems (ships with pennant 89X)

Third Chinese Navy Test Ship Launched.

To quote hmmwv "Apparently two ships are not enough for PLAN to play with its new toys." 893's two older sister test ships (891 and 8...

china-defense.blogspot.com

If it is a specific hull design, they do small scale.

Chinese Navy Crafts Unmanned Sea Hunter Knock-off - USNI News

A candid photograph posted on Chinese social media sheds light on a Chinese project to develop an unmanned ship similar to the U.S. Navy’s Sea Hunter. The trimaran is remarkably similar to the Sea Hunter in almost every respect. Although the designation of the project is unknown, based on...

news.usni.org

So for me, this ship does not fit the mold. It might have some new systems but it is too complete as package. It could well be the first of class for a Type 56 replacement.

 

[Ananda]

Chinese experimental corvette starts sea trials

A new Chinese experimental corvette has started sea trials. The ship is designated as a comprehensive testing platform.

www.navalnews.com

More info on this 'stealth' Corvette which some online pundits call it Chinese Visby. It is now doing sea trials after the launch that being attend by PLAN brass. Indicating this program have full backing from PLAN, thus not just some Shipyard trying to come out with new design.

The shipyard also the ones that build Type 056 Corvette as recent Corvette class of PLAN. So there're some indications this design can be follow on from Type 056 Corvette.

 

[Ananda]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1791044211501895942

Talking on Chinese 'Visby' Corvette, found this on Navy Lookout X account. Now this new Swedish Surface combatants siloute and potential dimensions, are having external similarities with the Chinese Visby.

Just wait to see some comments onlines claiming and counter claiming on whose copying whom .

 

[Reptilia]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1791044211501895942

Talking on Chinese 'Visby' Corvette, found this on Navy Lookout X account. Now this new Swedish Surface combatants siloute and potential dimensions, are having external similarities with the Chinese Visby.

Just wait to see some comments onlines claiming and counter claiming on whose copying whom .

Lulea class design was out in 2022. Pinching that info out of Sweden in the early 2020s is a possibility.

Pic I screenshotted from Saab.

 

[Ananda]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1792084319562854813

Deino's X just put photo on this PLAN UAV/Drones carrier. One Chinese enthusiast then put aerial photo, shown what seems short EMALS for Drones launch. Well they do construct fast.

 

[swerve]

The UK was testing short EM catapults (EMKIT & EMCAT) a long time ago. EMKIT underwent >2500 test launches in the 2000s, before development of the bigger EMCAT. EMKIT was tested extensively with 500+ kg drones, & was potentially capable of launching >10 tons. See EMKIT. Dropped a while after GE took over Converteam, which was developing EMKIT/EMCAT, in 2011, I think due to government interest fading. MV ALIM I seem to recall reading about Chinese interest in the technology some years ago.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1791044211501895942

Talking on Chinese 'Visby' Corvette, found this on Navy Lookout X account. Now this new Swedish Surface combatants siloute and potential dimensions, are having external similarities with the Chinese Visby.

Just wait to see some comments onlines claiming and counter claiming on whose copying whom .

The original Visby was launched in 2000. I don't think the Swedes are copying.

 

[Ananda]

China launches 10th Type 055 Vessel, increases production

Dalian Shipbuilding has launched a new Type 055 large destroyer and is ramping up production at its second facility.

www.navalnews.com

The first one launch in 2021, thus for 3 years they manage to churning 10th this large destroyer. It is basically a cruiser. While the smaller one (52D) already have 25 in inventory.

The neighbors especially Japan and ROK also increase their productivity. However something that I don't think possible a decade ago, Chinese Shipyard production speed now already surpass the highly efficient ROK and Japan ones, even in complex ships production.

If they can surpass ROK and Japan shipyard productivity, means they have surpass everyone else in the World. Surpassing in bulk carrier and tankers production is one thing, surpassing in Warships that's constitutes not only productivity but also complexity paces.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1792084319562854813

Deino's X just put photo on this PLAN UAV/Drones carrier. One Chinese enthusiast then put aerial photo, shown what seems short EMALS for Drones launch. Well they do construct fast.

Here we have a whole collection of new vessels at this shipyard.

China Builds World's First Dedicated Drone Carrier - Naval News

China has built the world's first dedicated drone carrier. The ship has not been reported however and many of the circumstances surrounding it remain a mystery.

www.navalnews.com

 

[T.C.P]

Here we have a whole collection of new vessels at this shipyard.

China Builds World's First Dedicated Drone Carrier - Naval News

China has built the world's first dedicated drone carrier. The ship has not been reported however and many of the circumstances surrounding it remain a mystery.

www.navalnews.com

Does Turkey's carrier count as a dedicated drone carrier as well?

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Does Turkey's carrier count as a dedicated drone carrier as well?

I also thought the same, because Anadolu (L-400) will carry a lot of UAVs/UCAVs on board. But on the other hand it will also carry helicopters and the design of the ship is based on the Juan Carlos I multi-purpose aircraft carrier-landing helicopter dock. So i don't think it is regarded as the first purposely built UAV-carrier/mothership.

 

[Ananda]

China's new ship for a drone-powered Taiwan invasion - Asia Times

China’s People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) is now building the Type 076 amphibious assault ship, a vessel that could play a pivotal role in any

asiatimes.com

If this is the real rendering of Type 076, then it is actually quite powerful LHA/Light Carrier. Perhaps this is PLAN answer for lack VTOL tech that supposedly use as Fixed Wing part of this kind of LHD/LHA.

So far the picture of type 076 on Deino's X account seems shown that potential, eventough it is still in development progress.

x.com

x.com

It is by my amateur eyes, have similar range size with UK's Eagle Class Carrier.

 

[swerve]

Does Turkey's carrier count as a dedicated drone carrier as well?

It's an LHD with a ski-jump. A dedicated drone carrier wouldn't have a dock & associated vehicle deck, or accomodation for several hundred soldiers.

 

[Ananda]

Seems some aspects from the image above on type 076, reflected in the progress on the yard.

x.com

x.com

Deino's X account shown the profile of Type 076 in the yard, shown also only 1 Catapult. This is in line with the rendering above. However I have doubt with angle deck. The image from the yard also shown side lift configuration. However seems also shown potential aft deck lift. At least that's from my amateurs eyes.

Add:
There's no way from this photo to asses real dimensions yet. However seems this is only half part of modules. This is just base on the length of that catapult slot.