China ready to build aircraft carrier Options

[sinraptor]

Hell, its about time!
http://www.upi.com/Security_Industry/2009/...94321244124273/

HONG KONG, June 4 (UPI) -- Shipbuilding experts from Eastern Europe have confirmed that the People's Republic of China will start to build its own aircraft carrier this year, as preparations for the project are complete.

The experts had visited the No. 3 military dock of the Changxing Island Shipyard -- the new location of the Jiangnan Shipyard, known as the cradle of China's defense industry -- based in Shanghai, where they acquired exclusive photos of the interior of the shipyard. From these it can be deduced that China is ready to commence building the aircraft carrier at this dock.

Chinese armed police have dramatically strengthened their watch on Dock No. 3. All the entrances to and exits from this dock are under armed police guard, with plainclothes police on patrol. In contrast, the entrances to Dock No. 1, where civilian ships are built, are guarded only by shipyard security staff.

Dock No. 3 is 580 meters long, 120 meters wide, and completely encircled by a wall at least 2.5 meters high. A giant gantry crane has been built, with a capacity to lift at least 600 tons. The dock is large enough to build a medium-sized conventional aircraft carrier similar to the Russian Admiral Kuznetsov class with a light load displacement of about 50,000 tons.

The outfitting quay for No. 3 Dock has been finished and includes a large gantry crane. According to the Eastern European sailors who visited the shipyard, the quay is 8 kilometers long and was finished in the fall of 2008.
A number of large containers have been shipped to the area near the dock. Among senior shipbuilding experts from Germany, France and Italy who examined the shipyard photos, one suggested the containers might be loaded with oxygen supplies and power-generating equipment, as huge amounts of oxygen and power would be required for welding engineering.

An Eastern European source familiar with the aircraft carrier project told United Press International that China had invested $5.1 billion in the facilities at Changxing Island, including three gigantic joint-structured indoor assembly workshops in which the separate sections of the carrier would be built.

The expert from the French shipbuilding industry said these facilities could be used for processing steel plates and section materials, or the preliminary treatment or assembly of separate sections of the carrier.

Sources have informed United Press International that the shipyard and all its facilities were built at a very fast pace. A separate road network was finished around January 2007 to provide safety and security for the project. Despite attempts at secrecy, many residents of the nearby Changxing township knew that the shipyard was being readied to make China's first aircraft carrier.

The facilities include numerous five-story buildings -- accommodations for nearly 60,000 peasant laborers hired to build the aircraft carrier facilities -- that have been in use since early this year. A correspondent for Kanwa Defense Review visited the area to interview peasant workers recruited for this project. The workers said they were paid from $440 to $585 per month, which is three or four times what an ordinary laborer in Shanghai can earn, and that their living conditions were very good.

The round-shaped headquarters building was to be finished this spring. Free-standing residential buildings in red and gray have been constructed for the shipbuilding experts. Satellite photos show that these houses are quite luxurious.

Judging from the size of the three gigantic joint-structured indoor assembly workshops affiliated to Dock No. 3, it is fully possible that the separate modules of the ship will be built in these workshops and finally assembled at the dock.

Sources told United Press International that China intends to build, equip and launch its first aircraft carrier -- internally named "Beijing" -- between 2009 and 2015. It is possible that the process could take longer, however.

The first steps will include the processing and cutting of steel plates and section materials as well as the assembly of sectional parts. When the keel is laid down it will be difficult to keep it secret, as the keel of the aircraft carrier must be towed to the dock in one piece.

June 3 was the Jiangnan Shipyard's 144th anniversary.

[BigBenChow]

I'll believe it when I see one on the news.

Too many photoshopped pictures out there.

[sinraptor]

I'll believe it when I see one on the news.

Too many photoshopped pictures out there.

agreed but since it looks like the carrier is only about to cut steel, we may need to wait a long time before official confirmation comes.

[zhengchenggong]

It's about damn time. US, UK, Japan and the Soviet Union had large aircraft carrier groups, large numbers of them, since WWII.

China needs to build at least 6-7 in the next decade.

[Mahkol]

how long does it take to build one?

[depthcharge]

Well, the Soviets built the Varyag from 1985 to 1992. In seven years they built it to 70% completion...

http://www.varyagworld.com/

Chinese should be faster though


Nimitz, a much bigger and costlier ship, took USA 10 years initially (including outfitting), but is now reduced to 7 or even 5 years I think.

[sinraptor]

I think it is safe to say that the pro-carrier people have won the decades long debate of wheter China should have a carrier. Hopefully, the design will be something not seen yet.

[Mahkol]

^ We all know it wont happen.

Most likely it'll be a carbon copy of some US carrier.

[BigBenChow]

It's about damn time. US, UK, Japan and the Soviet Union had large aircraft carrier groups, large numbers of them, since WWII.

China needs to build at least 6-7 in the next decade.

Japan HAD. Not anymore.

Carrier's are very expensive. Carrier groups are even more expensive.

Something China cannot afford right now. I still believe China should focus on systems that gives more bang for the buck.

[orange peel]

^ like a more sophisticated sub fleet

[BigBenChow]

^ like a more sophisticated sub fleet

or even more lethal surface combatants.

If China doesn't have enough frigates or destroyers to protect the carrier, the carrier will be restricted to coastal operations. Which is a waste.

[martin_nuke]

Japan HAD. Not anymore.

Carrier's are very expensive. Carrier groups are even more expensive.

Something China cannot afford right now. I still believe China should focus on systems that gives more bang for the buck.

After WW2 Japan and Germany are prohibited to have Aircraft Carriers and Nuclear Weapons because its in their constitution but they are capable of building them.

During WW2 Japan had the best Aircraft Carriers.

This post has been edited by martin_nuke: Jun 18 2009, 12:20 AM

[SelectivelyObjec...]

Air Carrier is outdated, and they are hopeless against attack nuclear submarines equpied with long range anti-ship missiles, next major world war will prove Air carrier is as outdated as Battleship in WW2.

[sinraptor]

attack of China's thempark carriers!

[robot_devil]

I would trust UPI as much as i would trust the Epoch Times. Full of bull$hit from amateur Indian 'think tanks' with too much time on their hands.

[sinraptor]

I would trust UPI as much as i would trust the Epoch Times. Full of bull$hit from amateur Indian 'think tanks' with too much time on their hands.

Said to be pics of increased security presence in the shipyard

[moonrocket]

attack of China's thempark carriers!

LOL