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By: - 30th January 2011 at 08:22 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Unlikely. Firstly, there's no mention of nuclear propulsion for the Chinese carrier.
Secondly, the Ul'yanosk was designed by a Russian design bureau and was scrapped when only 30% complete, so there isn't much in the way of blueprints, propulsion designs or technical assistance the Chinese can get from Ukraine.
Lastly, if it's a fleet of carriers the Chinese want, they'll probably go for something Varyag-sized, being a safer and more affordable option.
By: - 30th January 2011 at 09:05 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
What would be the objective of PLA-N carriers?
I doubt there is much that can hold PRC providing funds for development of whatever size and type of carriers and escorts that PLA-N needs, if they can justify that need that is, however if the PRC military and political leadership does not see a need for carrier groups meant for providing air power to military operations in distant lands, they will never fund a USN type super aircraft carrier, or for that matter multiple aircraft carriers groups, to become the sort of power USN is required a wealthy nation like USA to extend its influence throughout the world, something that will not happen in the coming decade or two.
I think a great advantage in PRC is that there can be actual long term planning supported through decades, the sort of time required to build a huge navy, and as the future is bright and filled with money they will aim big.
By: - 30th January 2011 at 09:48 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
China has been refitting the ex-Varyag for sometime and has openly said it is developing Large Aircraft Carriers for the PLAN. So, I have no idea what you are referring to. As Chinese Leadership has made it clear that it has a role for such ships...........
Varyag is a very specific type of aircraft carrier, it is not meant to provide an ability to conduct strike operations over land, sea based surface strike is also a secondary role, primary role of the fixed wing aircrafts is providing air cover and air superiority (Su-33).
The role for larger ships would have to be carefully planned and developed, there is no point positioning a large carrier with its escorts in the south china sea, some stated roles are protecting PRCs SLOCs which does not need a super carrier with near hundred planes meant for supporting operations on ground (instead of sea).
To develop carriers that support operations on land, they will need to have operations on land to support, or at-least geo-political moves towards such a policy.
By: - 30th January 2011 at 09:48 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Sound reasoning Scooter, as the Ulyanovsk would be similiar in configuration and build to the Varyag so the Chinese builders will be familiar with the structure when it come to building the ship(s ?) and teh PLAN when it comes to using them.
Don't forget the design must be 20yrs old so no doubt it will have to be updated to match modern standards, Chinese fixtures & fittings. Wonder if the Russian have suggested any revisions in light of operating Kuznetsov as it was only really on sea trials when the iron curtain dropped.
Considering that Ulyanovsk was enlarged to incoprporate a waist catapult to handle Yak-44, will the chinese also develop an AEW aircraft and more importantly catapults, if so will they do away with the ski jump to change the design to full CATOBAR ? We know they studied the old British steam catapults on carriers they scrapped and no doubt they have been watching EMALS development closely, so quite possible that they could develop a similar system.
As to why, well the Chinese are getting closely involved in developments around the globe helping small countries develop their infra structure in return for natural resources, so i suspect they are looking to have the sea power to protect those trade routes as any other major power would do.
By: - 30th January 2011 at 14:08 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The only reason for China to acquire Varyag was/is time. It's available faster than the home brew. And it will do as a training carrier.
Defining a requirement sheet for a PLAN carrier isn't so easy. Actually I think they need 2.5 types:
-- One fast, rather large, tasked with air superiority and fighter-based long-range ISTAR.
-- And a second one, smaller, cheaper, tasked with escort ASW.
-- And a version of the second one, tasked with amphib 3D helicopter assault and for ISR UAVs.
By: - 30th January 2011 at 18:09 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Clearly, the ex-Varyag is not the best solution for China. Yet, it was the best and only solution available at the time. The same could be said for India and the ex-Gorshkov.
Not accurately, in the case of Gorshkov. It's arguable whether it was the best solution, & it certainly wasn't the only one.
By: Anonymous (not verified) - 30th January 2011 at 08:12
With much talk about Ukraine helping China with it's Carrier Development. Could the Ulyanovsk Class be the basis for China's New Carriers. Which, are rumored to be just about ready to start construction????
Project 1143.7 Orel Ul'yanovsk class
Specifications
Designer: Nevskoye Planning and Design Bureau
Builder: Nikolayev South
Length 1065 feet overall
995 feet waterline
Flight Deck Width 248.5 feet
Beam 130.6 feet
Draft 35.4 feet
Displacement 79,758 tons Full Load
60,000 tons Standard
Propulsion PWR nuclear reactors
4 turbines 240,000 shp
Endurance
Max Speed 30+ knots
Crew 2,300 Navy
1,500 Naval Air
Armament •6 x 30mm/65 AK 630
•24 VLS ADAM launchers w/192 RZ-130 Kinzhal/Klinok/SA-N-9 Gauntlet missiles
•8 CADS-N-1/Kortik each with 1 twin 30mm Gatlingcombined w/ 256 3M-88/SA-N-11 Grison
•12 cell VLS installed under the upper deckw/12 P-500 Granit/SS-N-19 Shipwreck missiles
•2 RPK-5/Udav-1 Liven integrated ASW
Countermeasures •Sozbezie-BR suite
•Wine Glass intercept
•Bell Push intercept
•Flat Track
•Bell Nip
•Cross Loop D/F
Radar Air/Surface Search
•MR-710 Fregat-MA/Top Plate 3D
•2 MR-320M Topaz/Strut Pair 2D
Navigation
•3 Palm Frond Fire Control
•4 MR-360 Podkat/Cross Sword SA-N-9 control
•8 3P37/Hot Flash SA-N-11 control
Aircraft Control
•Fly Trap B
Sonar •Zvezda-2 suite
•MGK-345 Bronza/Ox Yoke hull mounted
Aircraft 70 aircraft total
•27 Su-27K Flankers
•10 Su-25 Frogfoots
•Yak-44 radar picket aircraft
•15-20 helicopters
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