PLAN Aircraft Carrier programme...(Closed)

thunderchief said:

Well, as I said I'm not insider, but it seems to me that Chinese leadership decided to put a little brake on development of aircraft carriers . Remember how last year we were discussing about second and even third carrier, with some members claiming they were already laid down . And now, everything seems to stand still with Liaoning in port , but on the other hand increasing number of Type 054A frigates and diesel-electric subs are joining PLAN . These are primarily green-water ships, so IMHO looks like old school again has upper hand , at least temporarily .

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Maybe we're concluding different things based on our interpretation of the news. From what I recall the talk last year was that by 2020 they would have started working on two indigenous carriers, bumping their overall count to three. That means that until we don't see two hulls being worked on by 2020 it's hard to gauge whether that news item has changed. As for whether they would have started laying keel as early as last year, I personally disregarded those rumours as no more than overeager jingoism. Given the window of time we were discussing 2013 and 2014 seemed unlikely, especially the more solid news indicated that they were still setting up the logistics for carrier construction.

Also Keep in mind that the additions of Type 054As and more Type 039s have been expected and known for some time now, since way before last year. I wouldn't suspect the PLAN has switched priorities until we see far more green water assets than we were already anticipating.

Admiral Wu requested to visit US carrier to learn about technical details of carrier operations.

Not Sure It Is For Carriers or 055?

probably carrier, as it looks far too complete while the 055 in service is someyears away. plus, it has a shield insignia on tail, just like the aew variant for carrier.

Totoro said:

probably carrier, as it looks far too complete while the 055 in service is someyears away. plus, it has a shield insignia on tail, just like the aew variant for carrier.

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That particular bird is probably going to be assigned to the carrier, or maybe it's a preproduction test plane.

Whether the design itself is exclusive to carriers is another matter.

Absolutely, we may see it in other units, not just for carrier air wing. Considering the change of insignia over the previous images, i do think it's possible these are already serial standardized aircraft.

Maybe by year's end we'll see first images of partial air wing, with 12 j15 and perhaps 3+3+2 helicopters (aew, asw, sar) while then in another year or two the air wing may be completed to its total 36 aircraft.

I wonder if the Lego J-20 is that big when you buy it.

Wow just wow!! To me it looks like the Chinese people and I mean the mass Chinese people are embracing this carrier culture just like the Americans

THAT is very very interesting we don't see that from any other country outside the US not even UK, all we get here is "oh £6.2 billion so expensive ship we should have built a space ship to Mars for that price tag"

Wow, a Lego fan who is also a PLAN Navy watcher! It wasn't even in my wish list, and five months out from Christmas! There is a Santa Claus after all! Ho Ho Ho!

... although I don't think the Chinese (Navy) is game enough to land a Il-76 based KJ-2000 on the Liaoning's deck, let alone two! However, that didn't spoil the fun for me.

Thanks for sharing!

Jovian