China preping the Varyag to be first carrier

Not really a great surprise but it looks like China is prepping the Varyag to become an operational (of some form) carrier


According to Jane's

Chinese shipyard workers have been repairing a badly damaged ex-Russian aircraft carrier and have repainted it with the country's military markings, raising the question once again of whether China is pursuing longer-term plans to field its first carrier.

In the latest developments, images show that workers at the Chinese Dalian Shipyard have repainted the ex-Russian Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier Varyag with the markings and colour scheme of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy (PLAN). Additional new photographs show that other work, the specifics of which could not be determined, appears to be continuing and that the condition of the vessel is being improved.

JDW believes that PLAN technicians have also conducted thorough studies of the basic structure of the Varyag during the past few years to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the carrier's structural design. Former PLAN commander General Liu Huaqing stated in his memoirs that China had purchased blueprints for the carrier - a fact that Russian sources confirmed to JDW. Moreover, Gen Huaqing added: "The competent departments of the defence industry employed Russian aircraft carrier designers to come to China and give lectures."

Well, as I already said... It really looks like they are building up their military...

A Chinese company Chong Lot Travel Agency bought the Soviet-made Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier VARYAG (Viking), still lacking an engine and a rudder, from Ukraine for US$20 million in 1998, and wanted to tow it to Macau from the Black Sea and convert it into a floating casino.

Construction of the Varyag began in 1985. After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, ownership of the carrier was transfered to newly independent Ukraine. Ukraine halted construction in 1992, when the vessel was about 70% complete. The total estimated cost of the ship was about US$2.4 billion, and more than US$500 million was needed to complete her construction.

Discussion
Chinese investors see the Varyag as a giant pleasure craft. To some military analysts, it's an aircraft carrier which would weight 67,000-tonnes when complete. For many observers, it's a rusted heap of junk.

The mystery of the hapless Varyag begins here with the stream of conflicts.

• Chinese officials examined the Varyag in 1992, but failed to agree with Ukraine on a price for use as an aircraft carrier.
• A satellite image taken by the U.S. in 1995 showed that the ship's ammunition elevator was open to the elements, which may have further damaged the interior.
• The Varyag was sold for US$20 million. That price is about three times the normal scrap price for similar large ships (1).
• Portuguese officials in Macau refused permission for Chong Lot to anchor the huge ship off the enclave in 1998.
• Macau was governed by Portugal for 442 years before it was returned to China in December 1999.
• Macau's coastal waters are much too shallow for a carrier to be anchored.
• Chong Lot's offices in Macau does not exist. Chong Lot is a subsidary of another firm based out of Hong Kong called Chinluck (Holding) Co. Ltd. Directors of Chinluck, had ties to Chinese navy (2).
• Chinluck (Holding) Co. Ltd. denied any People's Liberation Army involvement in the sale of the Varyag.
• For several years, the Chinese navy has been attempting to obtain aircraft carrier technology, anxious to expand its naval power (3). China already has obtained at least three other carriers for study. They are the Melbourne, Kiev and her sister ship Minsk (4).
• Chinese military have used the flight deck of Melbourne as a training ground (5). Kiev and Minsk have been turned into floating amusement parks and China preserved their names. Surprisingly, the Varyag (ex-Riga) was renamed to the Chinluck.
• The Varyag was designed to carry the naval variant of the Sukhoi Su-27, a fighter the Chinese now produce under license.
• Chinluck (Holding) Co. Ltd. accused Turkey of causing more than US$100 million in direct losses to their company by not giving passage permission for the Varyag. Turkey had insisted the Varyag would pose too a great danger to Istanbul but gave the final go-ahead on November 2001.
• China offered to send tourists to countries including Turkey (31,995 Chinese arrived in Turkey in 2002), Greece and Singapore who have allowed the passage of the Varyag. On the other hand China offered to send tourists to Egypt who doesn't let Varyag pass through the Suez Canal.
• Chinluck (Holding) Co. Ltd. does not have anything for public, moreover Chinluck does not have a web site.
• Macau dealt out three new gaming licenses on February 08, 2002. 21 companies, among them many of the world's top gaming firms, submitted bids for the licenses last November. Chinluck was not among bidders.
• The purchase and towing of the Varyag has cost about US$30 million, probably making it too expensive for use as an entertainment centre.
• A recent look through the Hong Kong Yellow Pages shows that a new firm is added to Hotel & Motel Management pages with the name of Chinluck International Hotel Mgt Ltd. (removed)
• The Varyag is now moored under high security in a Chinese naval base Dalian after a towage lasted 627 days.



Conclusion
This on-going story is a different version of the never-ending carrier theme (Tradition, know-How, Experience, Message, Entertainment) of China and an excellent material for movies.

Chinluck (Holding) Co. Ltd. may try to buy stakes in a Macau casino licence from one of three casino operators but apparently not before close study of the Varyag by People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).



Its a shame though for a promising warship

Originally posted by Figher Master FIN
Well, as I already said... It really looks like they are building up their military...

its not a build up. its replacing the very obsolete subs and destroyers in chinas fleet. many of the subs are designs from the 50s. and will have to retire soon

Jezza
• Macau was governed by Portugal for 442 years before it was returned to China in December 1999.

- Thats one old ship!

It seems this ship has being around for awhile, and its still not even operational.

Originally posted by Jezza


A Chinese company Chong Lot Travel Agency bought the Soviet-made Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier VARYAG (Viking), still lacking an engine and a rudder, from Ukraine for US$20 million in 1998, and wanted to tow it to Macau from the Black Sea and convert it into a floating casino..............

This is an interesting post. But some of it also sounds like some "Internet hoaxes" I've read.

Personally, I wouldn't jump to any conclusions as yet. The ship was bought as a casino/hotel. The Chinese have two similar ones already built from the Kiev and Minsk. The new paint job could just be to keep it from turning into a pile of rust. And all the work could just be workers putting in swimming pools and blackjack tables.

I still don't see how the PLAN is going to get nuclear engines of sufficient size to drive the ship. If someone posts a picture of large heat exchangers and reactor cores sitting next to it on the docks, then things'll get interesting.

[edit on 16-8-2005 by LemonAide]

Originally posted by Murcielago

Jezza
• Macau was governed by Portugal for 442 years before it was returned to China in December 1999.

- Thats one old ship!

It seems this ship has being around for awhile, and its still not even operational.

I'm sure you know that he's talking about the city/province Macau and not the a/c carrier

So is a casino or a carrier??

china already has carriers....

[/U RL]

[URL=http://img292.imageshack.us/my.php?image=minskdock4wf.jpg]

The lengths people go to falsify info...
Is that a J-7Ha there?? Whats with the soviet designations??

Originally posted by Daedalus3
The lengths people go to falsify info...
Is that a J-7Ha there?? Whats with the soviet designations??

it was a joke.

seriously how stupid could someone be.

PS: i never post any false information

[edit on 16-8-2005 by chinawhite]

I was talking about the ppl who MADE those photos.. not you..
But then again there's something called guilty conscience!!
Which a/c though anyways??

oh ok. sorry about that


mirsk and some unknown chinese one. its from mirsk world

I agree with the post that said that china is modernising not building up. They just want the ability to defend themselfs. Just leave them with there carriers i say. They wont attack anytime soon with there economy doing so well.

Actually, China does have an aircraft carrier, but it's only a trainer and carries only helis

www.globalsecurity.org...

The first 'carrier' in those photos is actually more of a building than an aircraft carrier. I've seen photos of it being built and it has a relatively normal metal building structure with just the outside made to look like carrier.

Daedalus3, the a/c in front is a mig23ub. the ones in back are j6.

Originally posted by balrog
The first 'carrier' in those photos is actually more of a building than an aircraft carrier. I've seen photos of it being built and it has a relatively normal metal building structure with just the outside made to look like carrier.

because it was a joke. it is a model of a carrier. no engine no electric gear not weapons and no working aircraft

Originally posted by balrog
Daedalus3, the a/c in front is a mig23ub. the ones in back are j6.

correction they are Q-5 attack planes

Originally posted by LemonAide

Originally posted by Jezza


A Chinese company Chong Lot Travel Agency bought the Soviet-made Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier VARYAG (Viking), still lacking an engine and a rudder, from Ukraine for US$20 million in 1998, and wanted to tow it to Macau from the Black Sea and convert it into a floating casino..............

This is an interesting post. But some of it also sounds like some "Internet hoaxes" I've read.

Personally, I wouldn't jump to any conclusions as yet. The ship was bought as a casino/hotel. The Chinese have two similar ones already built from the Kiev and Minsk. The new paint job could just be to keep it from turning into a pile of rust. And all the work could just be workers putting in swimming pools and blackjack tables.

I still don't see how the PLAN is going to get nuclear engines of sufficient size to drive the ship. If someone posts a picture of large heat exchangers and reactor cores sitting next to it on the docks, then things'll get interesting.

[edit on 16-8-2005 by LemonAide]

I would tend to agree with you, Except this is a story on Janes.

Janes is THE military intellience news source. They are rarely wrong or overly speculative. If they think something is up, then it is likely that something IS up.