Chinese aircraft carrier programme

Class overview
Builders:	Changxingdao Shipyard, Shanghai, China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation; Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company, Dalian, China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation
Operators:	People's Liberation Army Navy
In service:	2015 onwards (projected)[1][2][3]
Building:	4[4]
Planned:	5+[2][5]
General characteristics
Type:	aircraft carrier
Displacement:	90,000+ tons (nuclear: Type 085) 60,000+ tons (conventional: Type 089) 35,000+ tons (amphibious: Type 081)
Length:	300+ meters; 200+ meters for amphibious
Aircraft carried:	Shenyang J-15/Shenyang J-31?[6]

Since the 1970s, the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has expressed interest in operating an aircraft carrier as part of its blue water aspirations.^[3] In 2011, People's Liberation Army Chief of the General Staff Chen Bingde confirmed that China was constructing at least one aircraft carrier.^[7] On September 25, 2012, China's first aircraft carrier, Liaoning, was commissioned.

Since 1985, China has acquired four retired aircraft carriers for study, the Australian HMAS Melbourne and the ex-Soviet carriers Minsk, Kiev and Varyag. Reports state that two 60,000 ton Type 089 aircraft carriers based on the Varyag are due to be finished by 2015.^[2] Sukhoi Su-33s are the aircraft most likely to be flown from these carriers,^[8] but China has also developed its own multirole fighter, the Shenyang J-15.^[9]

Acquisition of retired aircraft carriers

Chinese shipyards have gained some exposure to carrier design with the acquisition of retired hulls such as the Australian HMAS Melbourne acquired in 1985. The carrier was not dismantled for many years and according to some reports she was not completely broken up until 2002.^[10]

Through various ventures, China has also purchased the ex-Soviet carriers Minsk^[11] and Kiev. These carriers have become floating amusement parks for tourists.

There had been other plans to purchase foreign second-hand carriers in the past. For example a possible deal between China and France for the sale of the Clemenceau fell through in 1997.^[12]

ex-Kiev

Several days after ex-Varyag went on its first-sea-trial in August 2011, ex-Kiev welcomed guests in its new role as a luxury hotel with a £9.6 million ($15.6 million) refit. The owners believe that China's naval ambitions as well as a general curiosity about aircraft carriers will result in public interest.^[13]

Liaoning

The 67,500 ton ex-Soviet aircraft carrier Varyag (Kuznetsov class), which was only 70% completed and floating in Ukraine, was purchased through a private Macau tourist venture in 1998. Following her troublesome tow to Dalian shipyard, the carrier has undergone a long refit. Varyag had been stripped of any military equipment as well as her propulsion systems prior to being put up for sale. In 2007 there were news reports that she was being fitted out to enter service.^[2][14]

On 10 August 2011, it was announced that the refurbishment of Varyag was complete, and that it was undergoing sea trials.^[15][16]

On 14 December 2011, DigitalGlobe, an American Satellite imaging company, announced that while scouring through pictures taken December 8, they had discovered the retrofitted Varyag undergoing trials, DigitalGlobe further stated that their images captured the ship in the Yellow Sea where it operated for 5 days.^[17]

In September 2012, it was announced that this carrier would be named Liaoning, after Liaoning Province of China. On 23 September 2012, Liaoning was handed over to the People's Liberation Army Navy, but is not yet in active service.^[18]

In November 2012, the first landing was successfully conducted on Liaoning with Shenyang J-15.^[19]

Acquisition of designs

In addition to the acquisition of retired aircraft carriers of foreign navies, the PLAN has been actively purchasing foreign aircraft carrier designs as well. One such example was its effort to purchase the blueprints for proposed conventional take off/landing ships from Empresa Nacional Bazan of Spain; the 23,000 ton SAC-200 and the 25,000 ton SAC-220 designs. Negotiations started between 1995 – 1996 but did not result in any purchase. However, the Spanish firm was paid several million US dollars in consulting fees, indicating the probable transfer of some design concepts.^[12]

After the Spanish firm had submitted its findings, Russian warship designer Nevskoye Design Bureau completed an aircraft carrier design for China in the late 1990s to meet the Chinese requirement but neither Russia nor China disclosed the price. Neither did the two countries reveal any information on whether China was satisfied with the design or not. In any case, no aircraft carriers based on the design were built, as limited Chinese industrial capabilities in the late-1990s made it impractical for China to start any construction of aircraft carriers.

A complete set of blueprints of a foreign aircraft carrier design was obtained by China when it purchased the decommissioned Soviet aircraft carrier Kiev. Russia insisted on China buying the blueprints as well for a higher price, but neither country has revealed the exact dollar value. However, based on the official information released by the Chinese government on aircraft carriers, all of which dictates conventional design, the V/STOL design does not appear to fit the Chinese requirement.

The complete set of blueprints of a foreign aircraft carrier design obtained by China when it purchased the incomplete Soviet aircraft carrier Varyag is the most recent purchase. Ukraine urged China to increase the original $18 million bid to include additional purchase of the complete set of blueprints of the design, and after negotiations, China agreed to pay another $2 million to purchase the complete set of blueprints. According to the memoir of Chinese embassy staff members who participated in the process, the blueprints reached China before the ship. This conventional design offers more capability.

Early plans

The first official plan of PLAN aircraft carrier development dated back on March 31, 1987 when the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense approved the plan on the aircraft carrier and the next generation nuclear submarine for PLAN submitted by the then commander-in-chief of PLAN, Liu Huaqing. The original plan was to be progressed in stages, with basic research to be completed by the end of the 7th 5-year plan, and development of the platform and aircraft to be completed by the end of the 8th 5-year plan. By 2000, construction was to begin when ordered.

To prepare the commanders needed for the future aircraft carriers, the Central Military Commission approved the program of training jet fighter pilots to be future captains in May 1987, and the Guangzhou Naval Academy (Chinese: 广州舰艇学院; pinyin: Guǎngzhōu jiàntǐng xuéyuàn) was selected as the site.^[12]

However, Liu Huaqing’s plan proved to be too ambitious as the domestic Chinese industry at the time could not meet the goal demanded by the plan. As a result, the plan was drastically scaled back to basic research level and the date for an aircraft carrier entering PLAN service was postponed and eventually put on hold. In the meantime, pilot candidates for warship captain training was also altered, with candidates switched to ship-borne helicopter pilots, because it was considered that naval helicopter pilots with much more ship-borne aviation experience would be better prepared than the land-based jet fighter pilots who lack ship-borne aviation experience.

Current status

In mid-2007, Chinese domestic sources revealed that China had purchased a total of four sets of aircraft carrier landing systems from Russia^[20] and this was confirmed by Russian manufacturers. However, experts disagreed on the usage of these systems: while some have claimed that it is a clear evidence of the construction of an aircraft carrier, others claim these systems are used to train pilots for a future ship. In August, 2008, Mr. Huang Qiang (黄强), the speaker of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense announced to the public at a news conference that China had mastered all of the technologies for an aircraft carrier, and would build aircraft carriers in the future when time was deemed right.

There are media reports of a possibility of China building nuclear-powered aircraft carriers,^[21][22] however the U.S. Department of Defense 2011 Chinese military assessment makes no mention of possible nuclear-powered aircraft carrier development.^[23] According to the Nippon News Network (NNN), research and development on the planned carriers is being carried out at a military research facility in Wuhan. NNN states that the actual carriers will be constructed at Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai.^[24] Kanwa Intelligence Review reports that the second carrier to be constructed will likely be assigned to Qingdao.^[25]

According to a February 2011 report in the The Daily Telegraph, the Chinese military has constructed a concrete aircraft carrier flight deck to use for training carrier pilots and carrier operations personnel. The deck was constructed on top of a government building near Wuhan (Wuhan Technical College of Communication campus next to Huangjiahu).^[26]

On 7 June 2011, People's Liberation Army Chief of the General Staff Chen Bingde confirmed that China was constructing its own aircraft carrier. He stated he would provide no further details until it was complete.^[7] These vessels (at least two are being built) are amphibious assault carriers of 35,000 tonnes displacement, similar to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship.^[5]

On July 30, 2011, a senior researcher of the Academy of Military Sciences said China needed at least three aircraft carriers. "If we consider our neighbours, India will have three aircraft carriers by 2014 and Japan will have three carriers by 2014, so I think the number (for China) should not be less than three so we can defend our rights and our maritime interests effectively." General Luo Yuan.^[27] In July 2011, a Chinese official announced that two aircraft carriers were being built at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai.^[28] On 21 May 2012, Taiwan's intelligence chief Tsai Teh-sheng told the Legislative Yuan that the PLA Navy plans to build two carriers, scheduled to start construction in 2013 and 2015 and launch in 2020 and 2022 respectively.^[29] On 24 April 2013 Chinese Rear Admiral Song Xue confirmed that China will build more carriers and these will be larger and will carry more fighter-planes than Liaoning.^[30] In December 2013 China's Central Military Commission told Duowei News it planned to commission two Liaoning-pattern aircraft carriers by 2020, designated as Type 001A. Contracts have been awarded to China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation to build the two carriers. The cost is projected to be US$9 billion.^[31] A waist catapult could be fitted to one or both vessels to facilitate airborne early warning aircraft operation and air control. Presently Liaoning combines unassisted ski-jump launched aircraft with helicopters for antisubmarine and air defense operations.

China has also developed a carrier-based fighter aircraft, the Shenyang J-15. On 25 November 2012, it was announced that at least two Shenyang J-15's had successfully landed on Liaoning.^[19][32] The pilot who achieved the first landing was named as Dai Mingmeng (戴明盟).^[33] The Shenyang J-31 is a fifth generation fighter aircraft being developed by China that may in future be adopted for carrier use.

See also

• List of aircraft carriers in service
• Jiangnan Shipyard
• DF-21D – Chinese anti-ship ballistic missile

References

External links

• China / Aircraft Carrier Project, GlobalSecurity.org

Ship classes of the People's Liberation Army Navy (List of active ships) Submarines (list) Nuclear ballistic missile Type 096 Tang class* Type 094 Jin class Type 092 Xia class Nuclear attack Type 095 ??? class* Type 093/G Shang class Type 091 Han class Conventional ballistic missile Type 032 Qing class Modified Project 629 Golf class: Type 6631/031+ Conventional attack Type 039A/AG/B/C Yuan class Type 039/039G Song class ES5C+/D+/E+/F+ and Type 035+/035A+/035G+/035B+/035ET+/035G Ming class Modified Project 633 Romeo class: ES5A+/B+ and Type 6633+/033+/033G+/033G1+ Wuhan class+ Project 636 Kilo II class Project 877EKM Kilo I class Principal surface combatants Aircraft carriers Chinese aircraft carrier programme Liaoning (16) Destroyers Type 055 class* Type 052D class Type 052C Luyang II (Lanzhou) class Type 052B Luyang I (Guangzhou) class Type 052 Luhu class Type 051C Luzhou class Type 051B Luhai class Type 051DT Luda IV class Type 051G1/G2 Luda III class Type 051 Luda II class Type 051 Luda I class Project 956EM Sovremenny II class Project 956 Sovremenny I class Anshan class+ Frigates Type 054B class* Type 054A Jiangkai II class Type 054 Jiangkai I (Ma'anshan) class Type 053H3 Jiangwei II class Type 053H2G Jiangwei I class Type 053H1G Jianghu V class Type 053H1Q Jianghu IV class Type 053H2 Jianghu III class Type 053H1 Jianghu II class Type 053H Jianghu I class Coastal warfare vessels Corvettes Type 056 Jiangdao class Missile boats Type 022 Houbei class Type 037-II Houjian class Type 037-IG Houxin class Type 021 Houdong class Type 021 Huangfeng (Soviet Osa-I) class Type 021 Hola class C 14 China Cat class Type 024 Heku/Hegu/Houku/Hougu class Torpedo boats Type 025 Huchuan class P4 class Gunboats Type 062-I Shanghai III class Type 062 Shanghai II class Type 062 Shanghai I class Type 206 Huludao class Shantou class+ Beihai class+ Huangpu class+ Yulin class+ Submarine chasers Type 037-IS Haiqing class Type 037-I Haijiu class Type 062-I Haizhui class Type 037 Hainan class Project 122bis Kronshtadt class Amphibious warfare vessels Landing helicopter dock Type 075 LHD* Landing platforms Type 071 Yuzhao class amphibious transport dock Landing ships Type 072 Yukan class LST Type 072-II Yuting I class LST Type 072-III Yuting II class LST Type 072A LST Type 079 Yuliang class LSM+ Type 079II Yuliang class LSM Type 074 Yuhai (Wuhu-A) class LSM Type 074A Yubei class LSM Type 073-I Yudao class LSM+ Type 073-II LSM+ Type 073-IIY LSM Type 073-III LSM Type 073 IV Yunshu class LSM Air-cushioned Landing Craft Type 726Yuyi class LCAC Type 722-II Jinsha II class LCAC Type 722-I Jinsha I class LCAC Type 716-II Dagu B class LCAC Type 716-I Dagu A class LCAC+ Type 724 LCAC Type 711 LCAC+ Songling LCAC+ Project 1232.2 Zubr class LCAC* Landing craft Type 271 Yupen class LCU+ Type 271II LCU+ Type 271IID LCU+ Type 271III LCU Type 271IIIA LCU Type 067 Yunnan class LCU Type 363/363A/55 LCM+ Type 066/066K/066A Yuzhai class LCM+ Type 068/069 Yuch'in class LCM Auxiliary vessels Buoy tenders Type 066 Type 744 Yannan class Type 911I Type 985 Type 994 Type 999 Type 999G Type 999HG Cable layers Type 890 Youzheng class Type 911II Type 991I Type 991II Youdian class Degaussing / deperming ships Type 911 Type 912 Type 912I Type 912III Yanbai class Type 912IIIA Type 912IIIAH Type 915+ Type 916+ Type 918+ Type 601+ Sea Fish 16 class+ Yan Fang class+ Yerka class+ Icebreakers Type 071 Yanha class icebreaker Type 071A Type 071G Type 210 Yanbing class Ammunition ships Yantai class General stores issue ships Type 904 Dayun class Type 904A Type 081 Red Flag class Cargo ships Danlin class Dandao class Galati class Qiongsha class Replenishment ships Type 903 Fuchi class Type 903A Type 905 Fuqing class Type 908 Fusu (Nancang) class Tankers Fulin class Shengli class Fuzhou class Jinyou class Leizhou class Weather ships Type 614I Type 614II Hydrographic survey ships Type 068/069 Yuch'in class Type 625C Type 635 A/B/C Yanlai class Type 635II Type 636 Type 636A Type 646 Kan Yang class Type 988 Oceanographic research ships Xiangyanghong 5 Type 614III Type 625A/B Type 645 Ocean surveillance ships Type 6610 Shuguang class Type 595 Type 639 Spy ships Type 813 Type 814A Dadi class Type 815 Type 815G Tracking ships Yuan Wang 1+ Yuan Wang 2+ Yuan Wang 3 Yuan Wang 4+ Yuan Wang 5 Yuan Wang 6 Yuan Wang 21 Yuan Wang 22 Sonar trials ships Beidiao 993 Torpedo trials ships Type 906 Type 907A Torpedo retrievers Type 917 torpedo retriever Weapon trials ships Type 909 Wuhu-B class Type 909A Target ships Chinese target ship Experiment 216 Training ships Type 679 Daxing class Type 0891A Shichang class Troopships Beidiao 990 Qiongsha class Barracks ships Xu Xiake Hospital ships Qiongsha class Zhuanghe Type 920 hospital ship Rescue and salvage ships Type 917 Type 922 Type 922II Dalang class Type 922III Dalang II class Type 922IIIA Dalang II class Repair ships Type 648 Submarine rescue ships Type 930 Hudong class Type 946 Dazhou class Type 946A Dadong class Submarine tenders Type 925 Dajiang class Type 926 Dive tenders Type 904I Type 904II Tugs Type 802 Gromovoy class Type 830 Type 837 Hujiu class Type 852 Roslavl class Tuozhong class Daozha class Submersibles Jiaolong class submersible Osprey class submersible Type 7103 DSRV Sea Pole class bathyscaphe Harmony class bathyscaphe Mobile diving bell QSZ-II submersible Diver propulsion vehicles QX-50 QY-18 QY-40 QJY-001 Unmanned underwater vehicles 8A4 ROUV RECON-IV ROUV 7B8 ROUV Goldfish class ROUV HR-01 ROUV HR-02 ROUV JH-01 ROUV SJT-5 ROUV SJT-10 ROUV SJT-40 ROUV Seahorse ROUV Sea Dragon-I ROUV Sea Dragon-II ROUV Arctic class ARV Explorer AUV WZODA AUV CR-01 AUV CR-01A AUV CR-02 AUV Intelligent Water class AUV Submerged Dragon 1 AUV Petrel I HUG Petrel II HUG Mine warfare vessels Minelayers Type 918 Wolei class minelayer Minehunters Type 081 Wochi class minehunter/minesweeper Type 081A Type 082 Wosao class minehunter/minesweeper Type 082II Wozang class minehunter/minesweeper Minesweepers Type 057K Lianyun class minesweeper+ Type 010 oceangoing minesweeper Type 6605 oceangoing minesweeper+ Type 6610 oceangoing minesweeper+ Type 05 oceangoing minesweeper T-43 class oceangoing minesweeper+ Type 058 minesweeper+ Type 7102 minesweeper+ Type 062 Fushun class coastal minesweeper+ Minesweeping drone Type 529 mine hunting/sweeping boat/drone Type 312 Futi class minesweeper / minesweeping drone * = Under construction or procurement + = Retired