I agree. I probably should have added this particularly point in my post above. This was exactly the biggest reason I believed that PLAN should build at least two Type 003 even if the Type 003 turned out to be a 70,000-ton class carrier, if there would be some wait time before the CVN would be ready. The experiences and the availability that PLAN would gain by operating two CATOBAR carriers far more outweigh the deficiencies and additional cost of somewhat less ideal first-time CATOBAR carriers.
CV-18 Fujian/003 CATOBAR carrier thread
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
I agree. I probably should have added this particularly point in my post above. This was exactly the biggest reason I believed that PLAN should build at least two Type 003 even if the Type 003 turned out to be a 70,000-ton class carrier, if there would be some wait time before the CVN would be ready. The experiences and the availability that PLAN would gain by operating two CATOBAR carriers far more outweigh the deficiencies and additional cost of somewhat less ideal first-time CATOBAR carriers.
If china uses her carriers in a conflict with taiwan, then these carriers will not be used as a raiding force that go in, launch a strike, and then go out, like japanese attack on pearl harbor. They will have to engage in persistent operation, either to provide air cover and close support for landing forces, or to provide a defensive screen seaward of taiwan against intervention by US led forces, or both.
Either way, the force needs to persistently assert its presence for weeks.
For a carrier force engaged on persistent operation, nuclear power is a force multiplier regardless of how far the operation is from the carrier’s home port because the carrier does not need to refuel herself, and need to replenish her aviation stores much less often. Therefore the carrier can remain on station for longer at a stretch and depart to resupply more quickly.
In other words, a force of three nuclear carriers could well be able to always supply as much presence in the battle area as 4-5 conventional carriers each with the same air complement.
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Intrepid
Major
Liaoning and Shandong are "one-third" aircraft carriers from an operational perspective. They have only a small number of "workhorses" (combat aircraft) on board, no significant number of support aircraft.
003 will be a "two thirds" aircraft carrier with a still reduced number of "workhorses" (combat aircraft) but all supporting components.
Only the aircraft carrier draft after 003 will have its full size and capability. The plans for this have long been drawn, and components have certainly already been ordered or in production. The ability to build and operate such a ship has long existed. But the Chinese are thoughtful and wise and want to have made their own experiences on the way there. The Chinese want to understand why things are the way they are.
Hats off to such a well-structured approach and such a long breath!
I see it as three parts of an education of the highest quality: the goal is not to pass the exam at the end, but to master every single exercise on the way with flying colors.
003 is the second of three parts, not the exam at the end!
003 will be a "two thirds" aircraft carrier with a still reduced number of "workhorses" (combat aircraft) but all supporting components.
Only the aircraft carrier draft after 003 will have its full size and capability. The plans for this have long been drawn, and components have certainly already been ordered or in production. The ability to build and operate such a ship has long existed. But the Chinese are thoughtful and wise and want to have made their own experiences on the way there. The Chinese want to understand why things are the way they are.
Hats off to such a well-structured approach and such a long breath!
I see it as three parts of an education of the highest quality: the goal is not to pass the exam at the end, but to master every single exercise on the way with flying colors.
003 is the second of three parts, not the exam at the end!
中国的军用核反应堆不会像acp100那样公开。
Intrepid
Major
China’s military nuclear reactors will not be made public like acp100.
Thank you, there is a problem with the translation software.
11-12 carriers in my opinion is not realistic and PLAN will instead settle for 6 carriers for forseable future. Due to China’s non interference policy, lack of allies and economic constrains, China will try to limit the number of carriers to half of USN.
Intrepid
Major
My opinion is, China will have more carriers than the western world (USA, UK, F, ...).
This again, goes back to my opinion that people too often think of the value of carriers lying in their ability to project power around the globe in low/medium intensity scenarios -- while not recognizing carriers are a vital component in a regional open ocean/blue water range high intensity air/naval/missile conflict, including for the PLA/PLAN.
If one thinks about what the PLAN and PLA's overall conventional warfighting requirements are likely to be, and given the likely capabilities of the US and USN going into the next two decades, that sort of projection feeds into my vision for carrier requirements going into late 2030s.
I was going to add that guessing on likely carrier fleet size is pointless without reference to expected posture/doctrine. I missed it on the first reading of your post, thanks for restating it.
I agree ... "we're going to find out soon enough". Would be nice of the PLAN to issue a white paper though
