A couple of comments by the Guancha Gang on this new large AOE that is under construction at Guangzhou in their recent podcast:
1. The 901 AOE is the PLAN's first venture into procurement and operation of CSG-specialized AOE-type replenishment ships.
2. However, the 901 can be described as an "enlarged 903/A AOR" instead of a brand-new, from-scratch design.
3. The 901s are perfect for Kuznetsov, but barely enough/perfect for the Liaoning and Shandong (especially after reaching FOC/after MLU), and certainly insufficient for Fujian (and 004 onwards).
4. The positioning difference between the delivering (on the 901) and receiving (on Fujian) stations during underway replenishment is pretty evident when compared to the Liaoning/Shandong.
5. The length of the starboard side hull walls on Fujian is pretty long (as Fujian is essentially a stretched Liaoning/Shandong), which somewhat hinders the effective underway replenishment efforts when paired with the 901 AOEs.
6. The number of delivery stations alongside the length/span of distribution stations in between delivery stations on the 901A is shorter. This is in direct contrast with the Sacramento and Supply AOEs, where there are replenishment stations on both sides of their respective ship's funnels for both these AOE classes.
7. Combining #5 and #6 (among some other factors), this certainly results in a major deficiency, as slower underway replenishment rates meant that Fujian would be left vulnerable for longer durations than is desirable.
Feel free to add new key points from the podcast, or rectify any mistakes.
1. The 901 AOE is the PLAN's first venture into procurement and operation of CSG-specialized AOE-type replenishment ships.
2. However, the 901 can be described as an "enlarged 903/A AOR" instead of a brand-new, from-scratch design.
3. The 901s are perfect for Kuznetsov, but barely enough/perfect for the Liaoning and Shandong (especially after reaching FOC/after MLU), and certainly insufficient for Fujian (and 004 onwards).
4. The positioning difference between the delivering (on the 901) and receiving (on Fujian) stations during underway replenishment is pretty evident when compared to the Liaoning/Shandong.
5. The length of the starboard side hull walls on Fujian is pretty long (as Fujian is essentially a stretched Liaoning/Shandong), which somewhat hinders the effective underway replenishment efforts when paired with the 901 AOEs.
6. The number of delivery stations alongside the length/span of distribution stations in between delivery stations on the 901A is shorter. This is in direct contrast with the Sacramento and Supply AOEs, where there are replenishment stations on both sides of their respective ship's funnels for both these AOE classes.
7. Combining #5 and #6 (among some other factors), this certainly results in a major deficiency, as slower underway replenishment rates meant that Fujian would be left vulnerable for longer durations than is desirable.
Feel free to add new key points from the podcast, or rectify any mistakes.
Last edited:
