PLAN Fleet supply vessels

asif iqbal said:

all good on the replenishment side but i would think they need alot more than just 4 x Type 903

Click to expand...

I agree and it just depends on what their plans are.

They have five large replensihment ships now...and with four more that will make nine. I believe nine or ten is a good number right now for the large vessels...but will they build more 903As to replace the older vessels? Or will these four do that for the next while meaning the total number will drop as the older vessels ultimately are decommissioned.

I do not think so.

I believe as the older vessels come of age they will build replacements for them and maintain this higher number.

With their growing fleet and the growing tempo of operations, they will pretty much have to.

True, but that's current 5 plus 2 more not 4, to give 7 tankers

asif iqbal said:

True, but that's current 5 plus 2 more not 4, to give 7 tankers

Click to expand...

Oh, I thought they were going to build two more. I see now on this thread that was just a suggestion...or well, I agree with that suggestion.

I believe two 903As are almost ready for delivery, and two brand new 901 designs are ordered which will be more suitable for supplying CVBGs, and then 903A production will resume. I think the oldest ships, 881 and 882, will eventually retire when the two 901s are ready.

hmmwv said:

I believe two 903As are almost ready for delivery, and two brand new 901 designs are ordered which will be more suitable for supplying CVBGs, and then 903A production will resume. I think the oldest ships, 881 and 882, will eventually retire when the two 901s are ready.

Click to expand...

That would certainly be a good plan for the medium future. Then they could build towards that nine or ten AOR vessel fleet.

Jeff Head said:

Oh, I thought they were going to build two more. I see now on this thread that was just a siggestion...or well, I agree with that suggestion.

Click to expand...

No that was just me getting over excited see the next post by Franco-Russe who corrected it

from Hudong Shipyard...

These tankers are taking a while to get commissioned, what's taking them so long, first two were launched and commissioned within a year these two units are taking forever, priority might not be so high for them right now

Hope they have the ability to transfer live weapons and ammunition storage and the capability to replenish aircraft carriers

889 Taihu is on its way

Guangzhou was the first to launch a Type 903A, and it looks as if it is also the first to hand it over to the Navy. 889 is TAIHU, while Hudong's is 890 CHAOHU.