Chinas nuclear carrier

I read this on another forum... it suggests China has plans for a full size supercarrier to be launched by 2020 at the latest. This has big implications for the neioghbouring countries and also puts US bases and interests in the area within range.

That makes the Varyag, a conventionally powered carrier and a further nuclear powered carrier all on the cards.

China's Secret Nuclear Carrier

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The Korean newspaper Hankyoreh is reporting that it's obtained information on a top-secret dossier that claims China plans to build a nuclear-powered carrier by 2020. Those claims, if true, would certainly have big implications for China's mlitary power -- extending the reach of China's navy out to Guam as the article notes:

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A source close to Chinese military affairs said on March 27 that China has been promoting the construction of a 93,000-ton atomic-powered carrier under a plan titled the "085 Project." The nation also has a plan to build a 48,000-ton non-nuclear-powered carrier under the so-called "089 Project," added the source.

The source made such remarks based on government a dossier that reveals that China ¡s Central Military Commision recently approved the two projects. The dossier also contained specifications of the aircraft carriers.

[edit on 29-3-2007 by Lucretius]

mod edit: cut down length of quote to within limits and changed to external quote tags

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[edit on 29-3-2007 by UK Wizard]

What size are those compared to the US's and our ally's? Wonder who else is planning new carriers?

Its apparently the Ulyanovsk class nuclear carrier or a similar one based on the design of the Ulyanovsk class nuclear carrier.


Like every other revelation, take it with a pinch of salt and lots of water


Interesting thing from the original Korean article

According to the dossier, China plans to construct a non-atomic-powered carrier as a transition stage to building the larger nuclear-powered one. The non-atomic-powered carrier, due to be completed in 2010, will be a mid-sized carrier with a standard displacement of 48,000 tons and a full-load displacement of 64,000 tons and will be able to carry 30-40 Chinese-built J-10 fighters, which China fielded in December last year. The Chinese authorities are reportedly overhauling J-10 fighters to be loaded onto the new aircraft carriers. Until the work is complete, the new carriers are going to handle 10-20 Russian-made Su-33 fighters.

The non-nuclear-powered carrier is reported to be a revised version of Ukraine’s Varyag, which China purchased in 1998. A shipyard in Dalian is in charge of its design and construction. After the new carrier is completed, Varyag will be used for military training only.

Link


The date of 2010 seems to stand out with a number of claims about chinas aircraft carrier deployment. Still a long way off through, but the finishing touches on the Varyag flight surfaces are all but done

Originally posted by SenHeathen
What size are those compared to the US's and our ally's? Wonder who else is planning new carriers?

The Kitty Hawk is the smallest US carrier, being conventionally powered. She comes in at roughly 85,000 tons. Enterprise is next in the 95,000 ton range. The Nimitz class ships come in at 102,000 tons and CVN-21 (the US next gen carrier) comes in right at the 100,000 ton mark. Most other carriers are in the 20-40,000 ton range.

When Australia sold off it's carrier HMAS Melbourne the Chinese towed her to the pearl river and slowly dismantled her catapaults and arresters to understand the technology.

Hmm maybe they should hav just turned it into a fish reef ?