China and aircraft carrier Options

[J5im8yo]

So how significant does it appear to you people that China obtains an aircraft carrier? I personally believe that it is a vital move for China either to buy one or build one in the shortest time possible. However, it seems to be very difficult for China to get their hands on aircraft carrier technology. From my knowledge, China has bought 1 old aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne from Australia and used it for scrapping. 3 incomplete aircraft carriers were also brought from South Korea and Russia in order of time respectively: Minsk, Kiev, and Varyag. The Minsk and Kiev lack rudders, engine, and weapon and are used as Museums for educational/tourism purposes. I believe the contract with Russia and South Korea was that these two kiev-class carriers were not to be used militarily. In 1998 the Kuznetsov-class carrier Varyag (able to carry fix-wing fighter such as Mig-29k) were not sold to China but to two companies of Macau by the names of Chin Luck and Chong Lot. However, the whole sales process and how the ships ended up in China remains unclear. It is clear however, that the ship now remains docked in Dalian under tight security.

A brief summary of China's interest in aircraft carriers and how long will it take for China to actually get one? Also are the 3 aircraft carriers that China plans to complete by 2009 still in action? Share your thoughts thank you.

[Hiroki]

China definately needs an aircraft carrier. Nothing spells out military might and power like a shiny new aircraft carrier. I have mixed feelings about the practical use for them though. Currently, China does not have a direct access to the Paciifc. Rather it is surrounded by American bases and other foreign nations. So unless the political outlook changes soon, there really is no need for a deep sea fleet.

I do not know if the could accomplish their goals in 5 years. It takes the Americans 3 years to build a Nimitz class carrier and even though the first generation Chinese carriers will be far less advanced, American production facilities and familiarity with this type of shipbuilding is far more advanced.

[HoChiMinh]

What's the point of having an aircraft carrier when China will not be able to use it? China is surrounded on all sides and for the Americans to destroy a Chinese carrier is not too hard. It's a waste of money.

[J5im8yo]

Ok so your argument is to not have aircraft carriers which I believe is not simply a symbol of might and power but the vitality of sea and a strong navy. Without aricraft carriers we can merely defend and never be able to take the offensive role. However, it is all opinion and I believe having aircraft carriers is the way to go.

[ComradeJing]

An aircraft carrier is a waste of time and resources. Firstly, it is prohibitively expensive to maintain an aircraft carrier and its accompanying support ships. A light escort carrier is also out of the question as China does not operate any STVOL aircraft that could take off from a 20,000 ton ship. Another problem is that in the near future, (10-20 years) it is not neccessary for China to develope any long range force projection. The only pressing military concern for China is the issue of Taiwan. However, a carrier is entirely redundant considering that Taiwan province is only 70 or so miles from Fujian province, a flight time of only a few minutes for aircraft or missiles. The billions required in producing a carrier could be more usefully allocated for the production of weapons that would facilitate the forceful reunification of Taiwan if neccessary. In this case, more modern air superiority fighters (Su27-30, and the J-10), more mobile launched ballistic missiles, more anti-ship missiles, more surface and transport ships, more submarines, and preferrably a much expanded nuclear force to deter U.S. intervention. Considering the cost of a single Nimitz class carrier, 5 billion dollars, and assuming that China is able to build a similar one, (Possibly a similar design to the never completed 85,000 ton Russian carrier) the costs entailed will be at least 4 billion or so. For that price, it is possible to procure nearly 100 modern aircraft, or several thousand more ballistic missiles to point at Taiwan, a dozen modern guided missile destroyers/transports, or half a dozen attack submarines. Any of which would be more useful than an empty carrier.

[EmSkittles19]

I say buy or make that aircraft carrier!! Turn it into an amusement park and call it The Funship... In. The. Sky. Wow! How about riding a 80 mph rollercoaster... while you're over Disneyworld!! And then like give cloud exhibits and check out the many different birds that get stuck in the turbines and you can score some free complimentary feathers! And when it begins to rain, you can have like a rainy theme and everybody wear flak jackets that say,"I <3 PLA Funship!" L33T L337 and many people can experience snow. yes, the snow! unheard of. it'll be a winter wonderland in the sky. fun fun

[J5im8yo]

An aircraft carrier is a waste of time and resources. Firstly, it is prohibitively expensive to maintain an aircraft carrier and its accompanying support ships. A light escort carrier is also out of the question as China does not operate any STVOL aircraft that could take off from a 20,000 ton ship. Another problem is that in the near future, (10-20 years) it is not neccessary for China to develope any long range force projection. The only pressing military concern for China is the issue of Taiwan. However, a carrier is entirely redundant considering that Taiwan province is only 70 or so miles from Fujian province, a flight time of only a few minutes for aircraft or missiles. The billions required in producing a carrier could be more usefully allocated for the production of weapons that would facilitate the forceful reunification of Taiwan if neccessary. In this case, more modern air superiority fighters (Su27-30, and the J-10), more mobile launched ballistic missiles, more anti-ship missiles, more surface and transport ships, more submarines, and preferrably a much expanded nuclear force to deter U.S. intervention. Considering the cost of a single Nimitz class carrier, 5 billion dollars, and assuming that China is able to build a similar one, (Possibly a similar design to the never completed 85,000 ton Russian carrier) the costs entailed will be at least 4 billion or so. For that price, it is possible to procure nearly 100 modern aircraft, or several thousand more ballistic missiles to point at Taiwan, a dozen modern guided missile destroyers/transports, or half a dozen attack submarines. Any of which would be more useful than an empty carrier.

Very reasonable. However, I'd like to know some of the anti csg tactic China has against NAVY that consist of such weaponry. Aircraft carriers is a good way to deploy large amount of airforces in a short amount of time effectively playing an offensive role. If China lacks such a tool will anti-ship missiles be enough?

I say buy or make that aircraft carrier!! Turn it into an amusement park and call it The Funship... In. The. Sky. Wow! How about riding a 80 mph rollercoaster... while you're over Disneyworld!! And then like give cloud exhibits and check out the many different birds that get stuck in the turbines and you can score some free complimentary feathers! And when it begins to rain, you can have like a rainy theme and everybody wear flak jackets that say,"I <3 PLA Funship!" L33T L337 and many people can experience snow. yes, the snow! unheard of. it'll be a winter wonderland in the sky. fun fun

What are you trying to say? I wanted to hear some intelligent responses not your futile input. Can you explain to me how will spending billions of dollar in building or buying an aircraft carrier then turning it into a amusement park benefit China?

This post has been edited by J5im8yo: Aug 10 2004, 01:28 AM

[MING-LOYALIST]

Of cause China should have aircraft carriers.
But its not a priority right now. maybe in 30 years we will have a fleet comparable to the US navy.

[浪淘音]

Of cause China should have aircraft carriers.
But its not a priority right now. maybe in 30 years we will have a fleet comparable to the US navy.

we need several aircraft carriers now, they are integral in a potential war with Taiwan independence. depending how quickly they try to declare independence that is.

[MING-LOYALIST]

Of cause China should have aircraft carriers.
But its not a priority right now. maybe in 30 years we will have a fleet comparable to the US navy.

we need several aircraft carriers now, they are integral in a potential war with Taiwan independence. depending how quickly they try to declare independence that is.

War with Taiwan isn't going to happen soon, if it were then the PLA would have had a massive military build up(Building ships and planes in the thousands). We are playing for time, economics comes first.

[Hakka]

I say buy or make that aircraft carrier!! Turn it into an amusement park and call it The Funship... In. The. Sky. Wow! How about riding a 80 mph rollercoaster... while you're over Disneyworld!! And then like give cloud exhibits and check out the many different birds that get stuck in the turbines and you can score some free complimentary feathers! And when it begins to rain, you can have like a rainy theme and everybody wear flak jackets that say,"I <3 PLA Funship!" L33T L337 and many people can experience snow. yes, the snow! unheard of. it'll be a winter wonderland in the sky. fun fun

Thank you that made my day (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/embarassedlaugh.gif)

On a more serious note, by having an aircraft carrier it would allow China to play a bigger role on the international scene in more peacekeeping missions and aid missions perhaps, though I guess this is very low on the list of China's concerns, but would help raise it's profile.
Personally the money could be better spent on other aspects of the country that aren't necessarily to do with the "forceful reunification" of Taiwan.

[Pureblood Warrio...]

I don't think that China should acquire aircraft carriers. The sole purpose of carriers are to project force. If china gains the carriers, then the whole security of asia will be destabilised. Face it, would any democratic nation or ANY other nation feel secure with communist china behind the wheel of its very own carrier battle group? THen there is the support. Think of it, the CBG of the US are deployed with at least 2 cruisers, 4 ship destroyer squadron and a pair of nuclear attack subs. It's like saying taiwan should acquire a squadron of strategic bombers to defend against china. Both are not feasible.

[Mantis]

Remember that carriers are designed PURELY for power projection, there is absolutely no clear need for China to build such an offensive platform. Taiwan itself too close to the mainland to require naval airpower to support an invasion, but it WILL allow China to extend its striking arm to include the Korean peninsula and Japan and intimidate both respective neighbours. And the LAST thing China wants is a paranoid, and rapidly re-arming Japan who just might field a carrier of her own in response. IMO, I don't think China should build an aircraft carrier unless in response to the Japanese building an aircraft carrier first. Either that, or if China feels the urge to follow the American example and travel the five oceans kicking third-world country @$$

[Byron]

I'm surprised China doesn't have an aircraft carrier. Even Thailand has one which was delivered to them in 1998.

[MING-LOYALIST]

I'm surprised China doesn't have an aircraft carrier. Even Thailand has one which was delivered to them in 1998.

How is that surprising??
Chinese are peace loving people, we don't want weopons of war.

[EmSkittles19]

I'm surprised China doesn't have an aircraft carrier.  Even Thailand has one which was delivered to them in 1998.

How is that surprising??
Chinese are peace loving people, we don't want weopons of war.

Which is precisely why the PLA Funship should be implemented the next time they look for an aircraft carrier.

[Nam Quoc Son Ha]

I'm surprised China doesn't have an aircraft carrier.  Even Thailand has one which was delivered to them in 1998.

How is that surprising??
Chinese are peace loving people, we don't want weopons of war.

Yes Chinese are a bunch of peace-loving people (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/icon_rolleyes.gif)

[bombs_over_tokyo]

took you long eough to show up ... hahahaha (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/embarassedlaugh.gif)

[Nam Quoc Son Ha]

Jibberish (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/embarassedlaugh.gif) What's the implication?

[I_Wong]

China should build one. It should cost less than 4 billon.