PRC Peoples Liberation Army Navy

swerve

Super Moderator
That may be the experimental catapult they're reported to have installed on land. It had been unused & not maintained for 3 1/2 years when the Chinese got their hands on her in 1985.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
Steam catapults aren't proven in China. They've been working on adapting it to catapults for carriers (not a trivial problem, but they have lots of resources) for a long time, & are thought to have had an experimental one working for a few years.
Well, I mean on proven is that steam ones is a proven tech. They have one in ex Melbourne for some time that they can toying around. However they are not developing further on that area, and as you have point goes to electro-magnetic tech.

Yes, they have abundance resources being committed on the area, but no catapult on their own being proven besides showing they have test facility.
For that their first Catobar, this type 002 will have long period of development and prove of concept period trials. Perhaps even longer that Liaoning trial periods.

That's why I have doubt they can field 5-6 Catobar carrier..and that includes the nuclear type 003, by 2030.
The 'fan boys' in Chinese forums (which that article seems based upon), seems to forgot that even Liaoning actually still in trial concept until now. And they think by a decade China can master successfully 5-6 Catobar ?
Too much 'what-if' scenarios can happen..they think since their shipyards now proven has capacity to build 'carrier'..then it's a same thing with capabilities to successfully operated a new completely 'type' carrier that PLAN has no experience before ?

I do believe by 2030 they have Catobar Carriers in operational status. But 5-6 on two type Catobar (conventional and nuclear) by that time period ?..even with China resources..it's just too much 'fan boys' fantasy.
 
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swerve

Super Moderator
Yes, it does seem ambitious. That's one of the reasons why I'm skeptical about the stories of Liaoning being sold or given to Pakistan. I think the PLAN won't want to get rid of a functional carrier in a hurry.
 

hauritz

Well-Known Member
Yes, it does seem ambitious. That's one of the reasons why I'm skeptical about the stories of Liaoning being sold or given to Pakistan. I think the PLAN won't want to get rid of a functional carrier in a hurry.
The only reason I can think of for wanting to get rid of it is that it is a lemon. It is after all their first venture into building aircraft carriers and the ship it was based on an outdated Soviet design with a hull that was effectively just rescued from the breakers yard. The Chinese government originally stated that it was simply for research and training purposes and maybe that wasn't too far removed from the truth.
 

seaspear

Well-Known Member
It was originally stated it was going to be a casino and as they rolled the dice and put a lot of money in it perhaps it was lol

@seaspear Lift your posting behaviour or else. You have been making to many one line posts that do not add anything to the discussion.
 
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Ananda

The Bunker Group
For a couple of days, already circulating on some blog and media in here on articles based on Chinese sources that by period of 2030-35, PLAN will have four Nuclear Carriers (which mean Type 003). While the conventional one, the type 002 will be build only one as transition CATOBAR carrier to Nuclear powered Type 003.

From what I read on Chinese online sources and media, they plan to used modified reactor design from the one being used in Type 094 SSBN.
Well, French also used modified SSBN reactor design on Charles de Gaule. And that's what my problem in believing on That 4 nuclear powered carriers by 2030-35.

French have problem in integration of that SSBN reactor based to their carrier. Even after sort it out, if not mistaken, it still considered bit underpowered.
Now, I don't have enough info and the reliability of type 094 reactors. However with the amount of patrols that still less than contemporary US, UK, French, and Russian SSBN, raised a question for me on the reliability of the reactor.

They should rely more on this type 002, build couple more, before goes to type 003 after a decade on successfully operating type 002 CATOBAR carriers. Thus give time on developing more realizable reactors for a 'Nimitz' size carriers that this Type 003 plan to be.

Despite their fast pace on development, PLAN so far seems only build proven design in big numbers. This talk on building and operating 4 Type 003 nuclear carriers with just around slightly more than a decade, seems not in line with more conventional progressing path that PLAN do so far.

On the topic of Liaoning transfered to Pakistan...If what those Chinese analysts statement can be used as cue on what PLAN planning for carriers force.. Then they don't really need Liaoning for much longer.
Despite my reservation on believing they will able on operating the first Type 003 Catobar Carriers by some time in mid 2020's (if they plan to stick on schedule of 4 type 003 in 2030-35 period)..if they somehow manage to do that..the type 001A and 002 will be used at their trial and transition Carriers.

Thus the type 001/Liaoning.. if based on that schedule, can be released after Type 001A and Type 002 fully operational within 2-5 years period. Not 2020 as the article mentioned, but somewhere between 2023-25.

Again this based on assumption that their Type 002 is successful as Catobar Carriers, and they have developed reliable reactors as propulsion for their Type 003 on schedule.

The question is..can Pakistan afford operating Liaoning ? It might be not as USN standard..but still can match India's modified ex Russian carrier, and that much delayed domestically build Italian design Carrier.
 
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Stampede

Well-Known Member
For a couple of days, already circulating on some blog and media in here on articles based on Chinese sources that by period of 2030-35, PLAN will have four Nuclear Carriers (which mean Type 003). While the conventional one, the type 002 will be build only one as transition CATOBAR carrier to Nuclear powered Type 003.

From what I read on Chinese online sources and media, they plan to used modified reactor design from the one being used in Type 094 SSBN.
Well, French also used modified SSBN reactor design on Charles de Gaule. And that's what my problem in believing on That 4 nuclear powered carriers by 2030-35.

French have problem in integration of that SSBN reactor based to their carrier. Even after sort it out, if not mistaken, it still considered bit underpowered.
Now, I don't have enough info and the reliability of type 094 reactors. However with the amount of patrols that still less than contemporary US, UK, French, and Russian SSBN, raised a question for me on the reliability of the reactor.

They should rely more on this type 002, build couple more, before goes to type 003 after a decade on successfully operating type 002 CATOBAR carriers. Thus give time on developing more realizable reactors for a 'Nimitz' size carriers that this Type 003 plan to be.

Despite their fast pace on development, PLAN so far seems only build proven design in big numbers. This talk on building and operating 4 Type 003 nuclear carriers with just around slightly more than a decade, seems not in line with more conventional progressing path that PLAN do so far.

On the topic of Liaoning transfered to Pakistan...If what those Chinese analysts statement can be used as cue on what PLAN planning for carriers force.. Then they don't really need Liaoning for much longer.
Despite my reservation on believing they will able on operating the first Type 003 Catobar Carriers by some time in mid 2020's (if they plan to stick on schedule of 4 type 003 in 2030-35 period)..if they somehow manage to do that..the type 001A and 002 will be used at their trial and transition Carriers.

Thus the type 001/Liaoning.. if based on that schedule, can be released after Type 001A and Type 002 fully operational within 2-5 years period. Not 2020 as the article mentioned, but somewhere between 2023-25.

Again this based on assumption that their Type 002 is successful as Catobar Carriers, and they have developed reliable reactors as propulsion for their Type 003 on schedule.

The question is..can Pakistan afford operating Liaoning ? It might be not as USN standard..but still can match India's modified ex Russian carrier, and that much delayed domestically build Italian design Carrier.

My gut feeling is that the PLAN would want to make the Liaoning work.
The unknown is if there are some issues with this old ship that preclude it form its intended role as an aircraft carrier, be that as a training ship or an operational vessel. If fixed wing is problematic, Liaoning still has a lot to offer as a general training platform or alternatively as a dedicated helicopter platform to compliment the yet to be built Type 075 LHD's.
Not the first time an aircraft carrier has being used as a marine asset.
Just speculation, but if the ship has mechanical issues that are not worth persevering with, then I doubt the Pakistan navy or any other country would want such a large ship, requiring a large crew, offering a questionable return on investment.


Regards S
 

KiwiRob

Well-Known Member
You can’t really call Liaoning an old ship, she was a zero hour hull, completely unused, unstressed, they gutted her, all that’s basically left from her days as Varyag is the hull and engines.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Are the engines the same smokers as Russia’s sole carrier? I recall the numerous photos of the Russian ship transiting to Syria a couple years ago.
 

Stampede

Well-Known Member
You can’t really call Liaoning an old ship, she was a zero hour hull, completely unused, unstressed, they gutted her, all that’s basically left from her days as Varyag is the hull and engines.
Hi KiwiRob

I was wondering the correct words to use as your correct the ship has had a lot of work done to it and should be in good nick, but then again we probably both know something of its history.
Are our APC's 50 years old or 10 years old; probably depends how you look at it?
Only an uninformed guess, but I'd say it's in good condition and will serve the PLAN for many years ahead within the constraints of it's design.

Regards S
 

KiwiRob

Well-Known Member
Nope, Chinese steam plant. AfAIK she arrived in China without any installed engine.
The 4 original Russian engines were still installed, just never used, they were entombed in greace to preserve them. The Chinese recommissioned then in 2011 and made them work properly, she doesn’t smoke like her sister.
 

StingrayOZ

Super Moderator
Staff member
As with anything, if you throw enough money and manpower anything is possible.
I would believe the Chinese have been throwing both at her. She is probably in much better material condition than her Russian kin. The Chinese weren't just looking for a cheap carrier, they wanted to make their own, so would have a very extensive refurbishment, as to be able to build clones.
 

seaspear

Well-Known Member
What the article mentions is that Xu who completed the deal was told that his deal had saved China fifteen years of Naval research ,which is likely to be showing in the new class of P.L.A.N carriers
 

Stampede

Well-Known Member
Exposed: How China Purchased Its First Aircraft Carrier
This article provides some interesting background ,and also on the negotiating tactics employed at the time
Interesting story.

Maybe we could learn something about the art of negotiating "the deal" from MR Xu.
Allegedly the key is to get those your negotiating with very drunk and receptive of US Dollar handouts.
As to the truth .....................well the PLAN did get a aircraft carrier from the Ukraine so something must of transpired.
I'd suggest "The Deal " would make a good movie. A comedy of course!
Now does anyone know of any carriers on the market today?
Cheers ;)

Regards S
 

seaspear

Well-Known Member
For a carrier the R.A.N would prefer something with low manning levels ,capable of hosting the F35 only a few miles on the clock ,perhaps one of the Queen Elizabeth class carriers could be got for a cheeky bid
 

KiwiRob

Well-Known Member
As with anything, if you throw enough money and manpower anything is possible.
I would believe the Chinese have been throwing both at her. She is probably in much better material condition than her Russian kin. The Chinese weren't just looking for a cheap carrier, they wanted to make their own, so would have a very extensive refurbishment, as to be able to build clones.
From what I understand the Chinese also acquired the blueprints for the partially completed than scrapped on the slipway Soviet nuclear powered aircraft carrier Ulyanovsk. She was built in the same yard.
 

Stampede

Well-Known Member
From what I understand the Chinese also acquired the blueprints for the partially completed than scrapped on the slipway Soviet nuclear powered aircraft carrier Ulyanovsk. She was built in the same yard.
Probably not for the PLAN forum but if the cold war kept going for a few more years the Soviets would may of had maybe three large carriers and also four of the existing Kiev class carriers.

Quite a force.

The PLAN in six years time will have?


Regards S
 

seaspear

Well-Known Member
The P.L.A.N has commenced building the type 003 carrier it has a claimed weight of up to 110,000 tons nuclear propulsion is also planned ,Emal system is also claimed to be incorporated , Im not sure which aircraft is to be used because the aircraft showed some design issues with reliability
 
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