Can;t say I really see it myself or am I missing something?Looks like the chinese rendition of the LCS-1.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...the_U.S._4th_Fleet_area_of_responsibility.jpgCan;t say I really see it myself or am I missing something?
Those ships one the links provided look pretty good and seem to have some degree of stealth features incorporated.http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...the_U.S._4th_Fleet_area_of_responsibility.jpg
Looks alot like it but then so do alot of newer ships. The new turkish ones do to to me. Differences yes but in many ways similar.
It's certainly looking interesting, a future Chinese CBG would be good to see.In 2012 the ship production relly seems to have have been speeded up.
Don't think there have been any official announcements from China/PLA Navy about how many carriers they are going to build. Nonetheless, there is no lack of speculation about this topic on the internet.It's certainly looking interesting, a future Chinese CBG would be good to see.
Also, does anyone have anything solid on how many carriers China is going to build? I've seen 3, 4 or 5 whilst i've been trying to look it up.
Then supposedly the ones to be build will be based on the Varyag, so then all of them are going to be STOBAR carrying J-15 on board?
That does make sense, didn't really know much about the organisation of the Chinese Navy so that's true.Don't think there have been any official announcements from China/PLA Navy about how many carriers they are going to build. Nonetheless, there is no lack of speculation about this topic on the internet.
In the past, I thought they will build 3 carriers, 1 for each fleet (i.e., North Sea Fleet, East Sea Fleet and South Sea Fleet). This is based on the following reasoning:
1. 3 carriers in PLA Navy allows it to have 1 operational at all times;
2. 1 carrier per fleet allows all 3 fleets to have CBG experience;
3. Each fleet will be able to develop their respective CBG doctrines for their area of responsibility; and
4. For "equality" between the 3 fleet commanders who are in contention to be PLA Navy Commander.
However, now that China has announced that the carrier will be a strategic asset under the direct command and control of Beijing (through CMC/PLA Navy HQ), it changes much of the basis listed above.
Nonetheless, my own perspective is that the PLA Navy will likely build 2 Varyag+ type carriers with conventional propulsion in order to:
1. Build up domestic experience in carrier design and construction;
2. Improve the designs based on experience from Varyag; and
3. Have some economies of scale for the air wing developed for Varyag (including shore and training infrastructure).
When they have built up enough experience (in designing, building and operating) in carriers, they will most likely move on the building nuclear powered ones (Chinese super-carriers). When that will happen is anyone's guess.
Personally, I'm of the opinion that the PLA Navy is in serious need of a re-structure. Their current structure of 3 fleets was set-up at the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949 and is predominantly intended for coastal defence against an attack from the sea (their experience from the latter portion of the Qing Dynasty and the Sino-Japanese War).That does make sense, didn't really know much about the organisation of the Chinese Navy so that's true.
so 3 carriers for 3 fleets, that's logical, also it matches the projected Indian build up who're doing it directly because of the Chinese build up.
I think they need to determine their operational requirements, which will affect how they build their carriers (assuming they follow such a process). If they want their carriers to do far-flung deployments, than nuclear-powered supercarriers make sense. However, if the role of their carriers are to operate near their coast, than they may sacrifice endurance for capacity.So really, in 50 - 60 years time (or however long until these carriers cash out) the next 'generation' of Chinese carriers are what're going to be really special in size, performance and air wing.
As much as I expect that China won't try create something that's on the same scale as the Ford (because of the doctrinal difference of use between the 2 navies), part of me expects they'll try it to be bigger and better than the USN carriers.
How far flung are their deployments? I'm not 'in the know' on that issue for China but I can't really think of where they could really deploy their carriers globally, can only really think of just regional deployments.Personally, I'm of the opinion that the PLA Navy is in serious need of a re-structure. Their current structure of 3 fleets was set-up at the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949 and is predominantly intended for coastal defence against an attack from the sea (their experience from the latter portion of the Qing Dynasty and the Sino-Japanese War).
However, now that they have commitments to the Gulf of Aden anti-piracy patrols and more frequent far-flung deployments, they may need a different structure. However, having a new structure for frequent long-range deployments is politically sensitive, particularly with the various outstanding territorial disputes.
Indeed, global deployments *usually* favour the nuclear route (the RN being the exception) but that brings with it such a massive cost penalty in infrastructure etc, so to be honest i'm really expecting them to stick to the conventional propulsion route.I think they need to determine their operational requirements, which will affect how they build their carriers (assuming they follow such a process). If they want their carriers to do far-flung deployments, than nuclear-powered supercarriers make sense. However, if the role of their carriers are to operate near their coast, than they may sacrifice endurance for capacity.
Just as the Soviets had a different concept for their naval power, so too may the Chinese as their PLA Navy matures.
In the event of a future war or skirmish with India or with Uncle Sam, PLAN carriers could be used as far the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean to prevent their merchant and tanker fleet from being interdicted.How far flung are their deployments? I'm not 'in the know' on that issue for China but I can't really think of where they could really deploy their carriers globally, can only really think of just regional deployments.
That's true, it seems like it'd be a big balancing act though.In the event of a future war or skirmish with India or with Uncle Sam, PLAN carriers could be used as far the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean to prevent their merchant and tanker fleet from being interdicted.
I never really thought that the purpose of PLAN getting carriers was to deter the USN in China's backyard, which it can do with land, sea and air assets. From day one, my guess is that Chinese defence planners had other things in mind for using their carriers and using them in the Taiwan Straits or Sea of Japan against the USN was not top on the list.2 Varyag-based carriers (at most) to defend Chinese shores seems a bit inadequate really, if their intention is to be able to seriously deter the USN.
I'm surprised as to why we haven't been hearing news about PLAN buying long range land base ASMs like the Bazalt, to be used for sea denial. Apart from their so-called 'carrier killer' and the Silkworm [which I'm not even sure is still operated], not much is known about their land based ASM capability. And off course they have land base C-801/C-80s, like the one used by Hezbollah against INS Hanit.But I suppose that brings into play their air force and land based missiles like their "carrier killer".
Well maybe I was bit a bit more specific, but I'm fairly sure the aim was to cement PRC military control over the South China Seas and just that general area and prevent external military influence. Or in other words "Yeah we've got disputes, but back off, we'll sort them out" i think.I never really thought that the purpose of PLAN getting carriers was to deter the USN in China's backyard, which it can do with land, sea and air assets. From day one, my guess is that Chinese defence planners had other things in mind for using their carriers.
Well, as i'm sure you know, China's generally very opaque in regards to it's military.I'm surprised as to why we haven't been hearing news about PLAN buying long range land base ASMs like the Bazalt, to be used for sea denial. Apart from their so-called 'carrier killer' and the Silkworm [which I'm not even sure is still operated], not much is know about their land based ASMs.