|
Chinese navy eyes
major expansion
By J. Michael Cole / Staff reporter
China is not satisfied with a single refurbished aircraft carrier and has plans
to build two conventional and one nuclear-powered aircraft carriers by 2020, as
well as 200 more vessels, a Russian military analystsˇ¦ Web site says.
The Peopleˇ¦s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy will also continue developing its
submarine and missile forces, with the principal objective of breaking out of
the first island chain, the Russian Military Review said.
In the view of Chinese strategists, the first island chain, an invisible line
that extends from the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan and the Philippines into the South
China Sea, has kept China bottled in and prevents it from assuming its role as a
major regional power.
Another stated aim for the PLA Navy is preventing a formal declaration of
independence by Taiwan as well as preventing or delaying a US Navy deployment in
the region.
Although China has also set its eyes on the Indian Ocean, Beijing maintains that
naval deployments in that region will be principally to address piracy.
If the numbers cited in the report are true, the PLA Navyˇ¦s fleet of modern
vessels, which currently numbers about 200, would double in size by 2020.
Chinaˇ¦s first aircraft carrier, the former Varyag, which is still being
outfitted, is expected to enter service on Aug. 1 to coincide with the
anniversary of the establishment of the PLA.
The number of aircraft carriers Beijing intends to build is the subject of
debate, with some analysts putting the number of nuclear-powered carriers at two
rather than one.
Amid its naval modernization, the PLA will continue to focus on developing
Shenyang J-15 carrier-based fighter aircraft, as well as Z-8 transport
helicopters and airborne early warning and control aircraft.
China is currently developing an early-warning and anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
twin turboprop aircraft similar to the E-2 aircraft used by the US Navy.
Military analysts believe the marine surveillance aircraft will operate from
Chinaˇ¦s aircraft carriers.
An ASW version of the Shaanxi Y-8 is also believed to be in production.
|
