There is another possibility. In case of war between major powers the opponent's satellite network would likely be one of the first targets to be hit. The Chinese need some kind of quick launch method which isn't easy to target to put their satellites back up.
Chinese shipbuilding industry
- Thread starter tphuang
- Start date
They would have to build a lot of these ships then. These are not converted from existing freighters. It looks specialized to me with the superstructure and the funnels all at the front, whereas merchant ships have both of these at the back or at the middle.
Okay .. I give in .. what's happening to warship (destroyer/frigate) construction?
60 Type 056 built (I was expecting 70).
All the new destroyers either launched or fitting out but no 'new' construction.
I like the way the older destroyers are being upgraded with newer weapons and sensors.
It is good to see the amphibious warfare ships in the water.
All the world is watching the new aircraft carrier.
New submarine construction is taking place behind closed doors in nice new blue buildings.
I'm holding my breath in anticipation of what comes next..
60 Type 056 built (I was expecting 70).
All the new destroyers either launched or fitting out but no 'new' construction.
I like the way the older destroyers are being upgraded with newer weapons and sensors.
It is good to see the amphibious warfare ships in the water.
All the world is watching the new aircraft carrier.
New submarine construction is taking place behind closed doors in nice new blue buildings.
I'm holding my breath in anticipation of what comes next..
72 according to Chinese (zh) wiki. 22 ea 056 and 50 ea 056A. This is not counting export ships of which there is a total of 6.
Yes. At least in terms of visibility. We don't know if modules are already being cut out, pressed and welded within factories.
I think the next shift in warship construction would be flat tops, cruisers (055), frigates and submarines.
At the end of every surge of shipbuilding, a fulfillment of a 5 year plan, there is a reevaluation and re-examination of these long term plans, and adjustments and corrections are going to be made based on a changing situation.
You might say what we are seeing is the end of an old cycle, or the beginning of a new one.
It is just that it is surprising after a quick ramp-up over the past decade to see the dry docks empty like this.
Is this a shift in priorities, waiting for new designs, or (like you said) they could be building modules outside from view to quickly assemble them once they are ready? It might be a bit of all of these things.
Once the Chinese put into service all the ships they have launched already they should have as many major surface combatants, other than carriers, as 50% of the entire US Navy fleet. They will also have a huge amount of LPD craft. Expanding their Navy further than that makes no sense unless the PLAN seeks to expand their presence around the world much more than what they are doing right now.
Is this a shift in priorities, waiting for new designs, or (like you said) they could be building modules outside from view to quickly assemble them once they are ready? It might be a bit of all of these things.
Once the Chinese put into service all the ships they have launched already they should have as many major surface combatants, other than carriers, as 50% of the entire US Navy fleet. They will also have a huge amount of LPD craft. Expanding their Navy further than that makes no sense unless the PLAN seeks to expand their presence around the world much more than what they are doing right now.
This picture of the first Type 075 at shipyard in Chongming also shows an Knutsen OAS shuttle tanker in the foreground. Is that a new build from Hudong Zhonghua or is this an FSRU conversion?
Below is LNG Croatia, an FSRU conversion done by HDZ subsidiary Huarun Dadong. That might be the Knutsen OAS ship on the back of this ship or the one on the far right of the picture, or both belong to the same firm.
Below is LNG Croatia, an FSRU conversion done by HDZ subsidiary Huarun Dadong. That might be the Knutsen OAS ship on the back of this ship or the one on the far right of the picture, or both belong to the same firm.