China Aircraft Carrier and Escorts Exercise in Pacific

The Chinese navy should not be under-estimated. The only test of a countries military prowess is when faced with the real thing, as Russia are discovering to their cost. A year ago, Russia had the second-strongest armed forces - remember that?

From my armchair, I would suggest that China does lack tradition and diverse perspectives, which would likely hinder their effectiveness. It does count that the US Navy works with allies at all levels, and that interaction helps refine and innovate doctrine and purpose. Who are the Chinese learning from, and training with? Where is the constancy of tradition?

But, my point is, don't write off China. I am sure their ships are good and made better with stolen IP and technology, but do they know how to use them?

a reply to: paraphi

They shouldn't be, but they shouldn't be over estimated either, which a lot of people tend to do. It's not an easy task going from a brown water navy to a blue water navy, and it's even harder developing carrier doctrine.

originally posted by: paraphi
The Chinese navy should not be under-estimated. The only test of a countries military prowess is when faced with the real thing, as Russia are discovering to their cost. A year ago, Russia had the second-strongest armed forces - remember that?

From my armchair, I would suggest that China does lack tradition and diverse perspectives, which would likely hinder their effectiveness. It does count that the US Navy works with allies at all levels, and that interaction helps refine and innovate doctrine and purpose. Who are the Chinese learning from, and training with? Where is the constancy of tradition?

But, my point is, don't write off China. I am sure their ships are good and made better with stolen IP and technology, but do they know how to use them?

Their subs are garbage. They haven't perfected their propeller tech, so they're loud.

So very true indeed..
a reply to: Zaphod58

So very true indeed..
a reply to: Zaphod58

I would like to know how good sonar is, surely if theres an underwater mountain ahead they would see it, so to speak.

a reply to: paraphi

Your last question is key.

Ships are one thing. Running a blue-water navy is something else altogether. Chinese propaganda aside, they don't have a long naval tradition. But hey, maybe "army navies" will become a thing.

Cheers

The primary surface power of the Chinese navy are the monstrous Type 055 destroyers which are armed with hundreds of cruise missiles.

a reply to: Scouserguy

Subs aren't generally using sonar. Active sonar is easy to detect, so they run with passive sonar going, detecting incoming noise. Active sonar is used for specific things. To navigate, they have to rely on charts and the occasional position fix. There's a computerized system on US subs that keeps track of their rough position.

somebody said a few years ago that the next Naval conflict would be decided by missiles

and better to have a lot of small platforms than a few big ones.

aircraft carriers are big easy targets. otoh they can deploy missile-firing aircraft.

the wild card is satellites. new tech uses a lot of space junk and if one side has anti-satellite weaponry, could make the difference.

I hope and pray we'll never have to find out.

a reply to: ElGoobero

A lot of people underestimate the value of a carrier. They’re relatively easy to mission kill, but those repairs can be made fairly quickly. (Note relatively is relative. You have to get through her escorts and their defenses and her defenses to do it.) Sinking one outright is a hell of a lot harder. They sank America a number of years ago for weapons tests. She was built in the 60s and saw extensive service around Vietnam and other conflicts. They hammered her with multiple weapons types, and after they were done, after four weeks of hitting her with underwater explosions, they fired the scuttling charges to sink her. A Nimitz or Ford will stand up better.

More on the "exercise"

saying its biggest in history and in direct response to US support for Taiwan. Hmmm

a reply to: Zaphod58

Witness the pu8nishment suffered by USS HORNET (CV8) at Battle Santa Cruz in October 1942

After absorbing multiple hits by bombs and torpedoes , including 2 erstwhile kamikaze crashing into her was left dead in water

After attempts to tow her clear by heavy cruiser NORTHAMPTOM failed. decision made to scuttle

2 US destroyers fired 9 torpedo at her and 400 5 inch shells , was left blazing as destroyers fled approaching Japanese

HORNET was finally put down by 4 24 inch Long Lance torpedo