Chinese navy takes delivery of first aircraft carrier

The Chinese navy will never match the US Navy.

Not because they can't, it's simply not practical, it has little use, it costs a lot of money, the catch up time while the US is light years ahead is ridiculous.

China's interests are it's territory in regards to it's Navy

You have to realize, to hit America you can use distance weapons in the event of the most unlikely scenario in the world, war with the USA. If they have any interests in regards to war or acquisition of territory or resources they have 1.5 Billion people, they are connected by land to all of Asia, The Middle East and Europe with... 1.5 billion people.

In the event of any "rouge" china hell bent on take over of nations, it is infinitely cheaper and easier to arm your populace with assault rifles and point to a neighbor and yell attack and if they want 20 million guys can Rush Kyrgyzstan. To attack America you have to hold supply lines across the largest ocean in the world, it's full retard

They aren't even going to ever try to attempt force projection on our level over seas there will never be any need for them...there is Us and Canada, frankly considering they are both Nations fastest growing minority they have quite another method to extend influence over here. Dropping off 12 million men by boat over 7,000 miles would be ridiculous.

Now for America to take territory, well 95% of the world is over there... we need that navy to be aggressive because an invasion of Mexico would yield us good tequila and not much more. If china wants oil they can walk to get it

reply to post by GarrusVasNormandy


The Japanese have two small "helicopter" carriers that are quite capable of handling VSTOL aircraft such as Harriers or F-35's. Admittedly, they are tiny even compared to the British Invincible class.

As for this Chinese one, not much of a worry. As has been stated by those far more learned than myself, this is just the first step of many for China in carrier ops, while their rivals have pretty much finished the race and sat down for squash.

reply to post by stumason

As for this Chinese one, not much of a worry. As has been stated by those far more learned than myself, this is just the first step of many for China in carrier ops, while their rivals have pretty much finished the race and sat down for squash.

And I agree.

But, the fact still remains, that China is pursuing an active expansion of their military projection capabilities. This might not be much to be concerned about - today - and it might still lack the capabilities that other countries have. However, making these little steps towards being a military super-power is a matter for concern. Not so much to the West, because we have NATO - which includes the U.S. power, able to surpass anything China has - but to the regional countries in Pacific-Asia.

Japan considers this a big threat because it's a sign that China might take the more offensive role. We are talking about an aircraft carrier, but China is also developing several other vessels. I don't think the chinese are stupid enough to build up a task force without a reasonable (quality/number) escort fleet to protect their carriers.

Personally, I think this is all a response to the shift of attention of the U.S. Navy to the Pacific - that caused some concern in some asian countries, including China -, they seem to desire a balanced military power struggle, where the U.S. doesn't dictate all events and decisions because they have the decision hammer.

Indian Ocean... Hormuz...

reply to post by GarrusVasNormandy


There's little doubt that they're trying to just that. But developing a worthwhile carrier force is going to take years, perhaps decades. I wouldn't be shocked to see, somewhere down the road, them decide it's just not worth the aggravation, or the expense.

They've other issues that are going to need addressing in the very near future. Carrier aviation, were it me making the decisions, would be way, way, way down on the list of priorities.

reply to post by seagull


And, by the time that the Chinese could build, learn how to operate and become proficient in Carrier ops the Carrier will have gone the way of the Battleship. This is no way to play catch-up.