China Mobile offshore base

Bltizo said:

ME rebels may not have the ability to strike at such a platform, but then you have to wonder whether it will be worth building such a platform when your enemy is only a few insurgents.

China is living in the shadow of potential conflict with the US at the moment, so such a vessel just makes no sense.

Building a ship this size is much too costly, complex, and will be a massive continuous drain on resources (think how much money it costs to support a carrier, then consider how much bigger this is compared to a carrier). It's just not worth it. Better spend money on more conventional and less risky sea lift capabilities.

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The idea of mobile offshore base is not try to mimick a CV where it pack plenty of airing with massive firepower. It is trying to mimick an conventional airstrip which the floating platform might not even have its own propulsion system to move and needs towing... No massive air wing is needed to station permanently unless crisis arises. A small contengcy of personnel are needed to maintain this thing float and working. A few 054A are needed to protect this asset.

This airstrip had a massive advantage that ordinary CV can never do it. That is to allow Y-20 to land , refuel and unload/load.

advill said:

China does NOT need to build artificial islands as bases. They have friendly and economic ties with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Myanmar where they have helped build harbors. India has mentioned "String of Pearls" & their potentials for military usage by the PLA-N. Why NOT? after all China feels the containment policy of the surrounding neighbors backed by the US. It's strategic military thinking & Geopolitics. As I mentioned in other postings, what is NEED is the building of TRUST by actions not by words. Let the "OWLS" (my analogy - copyright of the respective countries particularly China, India, Japan & the US discuss/negotiate on various security issues. No place of HAWKS (warmongers) or the weak doves who are pushed aside & be bullied. That's my opinion is strategic/military thinking of the 21st Century. I stand corrected!

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Pakistan, Sri Lanka or South Asia do not offer the strategic location PRC needed. It needs a base at Arabian Sea or near Africa shore. Africa is the interest of PRC and it is also the most unstable continent where huge investment of PRC are located. Which is the very reason PRC quickly jump at the idea of sending escort warship to involve in UN plan and even toying the idea of sending forces to rout out the pirates in Somalia.

You may also need to take into the consideration of certain countries denying the airspace PRC needed due to sensitivity of the issue of allowing their airspace for military purpose. Airplane might forced to divert which prolong the flight duration and distance. This mobile offshore base will come in handy for Africa scenario.

A massive moving air strip are sitting ducks for missiles and can be easily spotted by satellites. If it floats in the water, it can be kill in the water.

Equation said:

A massive moving air strip are sitting ducks for missiles and can be easily spotted by satellites. If it floats in the water, it can be kill in the water.

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Perhaps he shall tell this to Uncle SAM about their oversea airbase.

What different does it make between a fixed overseas airbase and a mobile offshore base given your concern mention above?

Lion said:

Perhaps he shall tell this to Uncle SAM about their oversea airbase.

What different does it make between a fixed overseas airbase and a mobile offshore base given your concern mention above?

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A mobile offshore base requires too much metal and rare earth and other precious resources for construction and than to be wasted by a cheaper and more cost effective missiles. In comparison to a fix overseas base all you waste is sand and rocks .

It is possible that a large platform could be deployed off the African coast, BUT at the risk of being overrun by pirates, or alternatively, be a tgt for sabotage activities (bomb placements) by Islamic Terrorist Groups. As for the landings/stationing of aircraft on the proposed platform my take is: (1) Terrorists could also blow them up too. (2) Say if we rule out terrorist attacks, wellllll some of the African countries who feel threatened, could bomb the platforms (on their own, OR with the help of outside friendly power/s) to "thy kingdom come". I am certain the PLA military strategists are NOT naive & know the meaning of being "sittings ducks". They surely know what is good for China & its Armed Forces.

Lion said:

Pakistan, Sri Lanka or South Asia do not offer the strategic location PRC needed. It needs a base at Arabian Sea or near Africa shore. Africa is the interest of PRC and it is also the most unstable continent where huge investment of PRC are located. Which is the very reason PRC quickly jump at the idea of sending escort warship to involve in UN plan and even toying the idea of sending forces to rout out the pirates in Somalia.

You may also need to take into the consideration of certain countries denying the airspace PRC needed due to sensitivity of the issue of allowing their airspace for military purpose. Airplane might forced to divert which prolong the flight duration and distance. This mobile offshore base will come in handy for Africa scenario.

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advill said:

It is possible that a large platform could be deployed off the African coast, BUT at the risk of being overrun by pirates, or alternatively, be a tgt for sabotage activities (bomb placements) by Islamic Terrorist Groups. As for the landings/stationing of aircraft on the proposed platform my take is: (1) Terrorists could also blow them up too. (2) Say if we rule out terrorist attacks, wellllll some of the African countries who feel threatened, could bomb the platforms (on their own, OR with the help of outside friendly power/s) to "thy kingdom come". I am certain the PLA military strategists are NOT naive & know the meaning of being "sittings ducks". They surely know what is good for China & its Armed Forces.

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I can dare to effectively rule out at threat from pirates or terrorist. Unless the pirate start to arm themselves with 7000tons DDG or modern SSN. Or even swam th platoform with a whole regiment of SU-30MKK. Any countries attack of this platform will be an act of war which will bear the burden of all out conflict.

Or probably the PLAN In your eyes are still Mao era of arming with only small missile craft and torpedo boats.

Equation said:

A mobile offshore base requires too much metal and rare earth and other precious resources for construction and than to be wasted by a cheaper and more cost effective missiles. In comparison to a fix overseas base all you waste is sand and rocks .

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Fixing a floating platform is far cheaper than damaging ties with your allies and spreading uneasiness of your troops station on foreign ground. Plus you need no negotiate with anybody. International maritime water is free for everyone to use.

I never mentioned about Mao's era so don't misread my statement. Read carefully what I wrote earlier about Chinese Military Strategists i.e. their probable thinking on large platforms. I believe President Xi is a sensible & pragmatic person. He and his close comrades in the Central Committee know Geopolitics well enough, & would execute policies that are BEST for the PRC. As President Xi is also the the Chairman of China's Central Military Commission, he is in COMMAND & comprehends "Military Strategies" too - he has his Snr Military Advisors . BTW, if you are a naval person & Chinese, u would know that the PLA-N's "Hubei" small but FAST missile boats (China has about 80 - read Jane's Fighting Ships) are lethal against any opposing destroyers & frigates - BUT I am assumed China's potential adversaries would by now have counter measures as safeguards for potential conflicts. Let the Year of the "Water Snake" be a Peaceful & Prosperous one. OWLS must be influential in the countries concerned & not HAWKS. We live in a turbulent world & have to be realistic. Nations need to diplomatic without being seen as a bully. BTW - Sun Tsu's War Philosophies include "NEVER underestimate your enemies" I would add including pirates & determined Islamic terrorists in present day context. Gong Xi Fa Chai.

Lion said:

I can dare to effectively rule out at threat from pirates or terrorist. Unless the pirate start to arm themselves with 7000tons DDG or modern SSN. Or even swam th platoform with a whole regiment of SU-30MKK. Any countries attack of this platform will be an act of war which will bear the burden of all out conflict.

Or probably the PLAN In your eyes are still Mao era of arming with only small missile craft and torpedo boats.

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Lion said:

Fixing a floating platform is far cheaper than damaging ties with your allies and spreading uneasiness of your troops station on foreign ground. Plus you need no negotiate with anybody. International maritime water is free for everyone to use.

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Not if you have an artificial man made island with a huge runway is far easier to fix than a floating platform.