First Chinese Aircraft Carrier Makes Waves
The Start Of Another Long March?
The People's Republic of China's first aircraft carrier was bought in 1998 for $20m. Her life started as a Soviet 'aircraft carrying heavy cruiser', with building starting in the mid 1980s. She never became operational, and by the time she was auctioned off, she had been eviscerated, and carried the name 'Varyag'. Over the next decade, China fitted her out in the Dalian Shipyard.
Early August 2011 saw her first open-sea trials, under the name 'Shi-Lang'.
A few commentators doubted that China would finish the project, but those who can begin to understand the Chinese mentality know that the huge country wants to overtake the US politically and militarily - they are already forging ahead economically, and have been driving hard to build their strengths in all these aspects.
The stance of the PLA Navy has been changing from that of a low-key coastal defence force to that of a superpower with global oceanic reach. Projecting power with a global reach requires air-power platforms. Carriers are very visible, and offer a powerful picture of naval and airborne strength.
Fast jet carriers need a quantum leap in sophistication and systems integration than do Harrier carriers. Hence the doubts over China's plans.
The country's long march to joining the aircraft carrier club demands huge investment - the UK and US have been building carriers for nearly a century, and the industry to build large carriers takes a long time to establish. The Chinese are kick-starting - with a basic carrier shell they can learn the fitting-out stage and replicate it, just as they have done with so many consumer items. Ships hulls are not difficult to build, and they do have a set of plans ready for the next one.
Those who have been watching developments in China have known for some time that China was serious about this investment. There have been plenty of jokes about the Concrete Carrier they constructed in the Oriental Park in Shanghai, but the fact is that building a carrier is one thing, operating one efficiently 24 x 7 in all weathers when under attack is quite another. The pilots, aircrew and flight ops controllers have to be trained. That requires schools and teachers. But first you have to train the teachers. A whole logistics capability is needed. It really is a huge task, and China is taking it seriously.
China already has the Dong Feng 21-D carrier-busting ballistic missile, and now it has a carrier. China plays a long game, with strategic planning which may look a century ahead.
Shi Lang - The Taiwan Link
The Ming-Qing dynasty admiral, Shi Lang, invaded Tungking (now known as Taiwan) 300 years ago. Will the first aircraft carrier's identity prove to be prophetic?
It is clear that naval tensions in the Far East are increasing, and with the continuing dispute with Japan and Taiwan over island chains in the South China Sea such as the Spratley Islands, further announcements are expected.
About the Author
James Marinero ( http://www.jamesmarinero.com/Publications/ ) writes topical thrillers with maritime and espionage themes. Widely travelled, having worked in many countries and industries, he smoothly blends fact, fiction and forecasts into his stories. Gate of Tears ( http://www.jamesmarinero.com/Publications/Gate-of-Tears.html ) looks at China's naval growth and territorial ambitions.
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