China To Launch Carrier This Year: Taiwan

[razgriz19]

TAIPEI - Taiwan's spy chief on April 25 said China could bring its first aircraft carrier into service before the end of the year, kindling fears in Taipei over Beijing's continued naval buildup.

Tsai Teh-sheng, head of the island's National Security Bureau, said Varyag - a half-completed Soviet-era aircraft carrier Beijing obtained from Ukraine in 1998 - is expected to make its maiden voyage before the end of 2011. The warship has been docked in China's Dalian harbor, where it has undergone extensive refurbishing work since 2002.

Varyag has restored its sailing capability, and is expected to start providing training missions before the end of 2011," Tsai said in response to a parliamentary question by Lin Yu-fang of the ruling Kuomintang party.

Tsai said the warship will have "certain combat capability" and will serve as a base for an unknown number of China's home-grown fighter jets, which are modeled on Russian-made Su-33s.

Taiwan's defense ministry has expressed alarm at China's naval buildup although experts say it may still take time for the People's Liberation Army to operate its first carrier group complete with fighter jets.

"The Chinese communists' acquisition of their first aircraft carrier will threaten not only Taiwan but the stability of Asia," said David Lo, spokesman for Taiwan's defense ministry.

Taiwan plans to build a new "stealth" warship armed with guided missiles next year in response to China's naval build-up, military officers have said.

An aircraft carrier group would potentially double the military threat posed to Taiwan by China by allowing the Chinese to approach from directions other than across the strait, experts warn.

Ties between China and Taiwan have improved significantly since Ma Ying-jeou became the island's president, vowing to adopt a nonconfrontational policy toward the mainland. But China still regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting to be reunified by force if necessary, although the island has governed itself since 1949, when a civil war ended.

China To Launch Carrier This Year: Taiwan - Defense News

 

[Akasa]

So they admitted they sent spies over to China.

 

[S10]

They need intelligence to tell them that Varyag would be entering service? I arrived at the same conclusion after looking at a few photos on the internet. It's not like they're hiding the ship.

 

[aimarraul]

 

[no_name]

It's really a sad state, the ROC military was actually surprised about the unveiling of J-20 as they first learned about it via the morning newspaper

 

[conworldus]

It's really a sad state, the ROC military was actually surprised about the unveiling of J-20 as they first learned about it via the morning newspaper

Chen Shui Bian pretty much turned in the entire ROC spy network when he made the comment that some Chinese missiles were duds. I heard that he was very very hated by the intelligence department.

 

[Dragon Emperor]

For a big country like China, a navy with less than 4 carrier battle groups is a disgrace to the ancestors of the Chinese civilization. China must have 5 or more CVBGs!

 

[Pak_Sher]

We are proud of our Chinese Friends technological advances. Great Job China.

 

[acetophenol]

china deserves a clap

 

[acetophenol]

For a big country like China, a navy with less than 4 carrier battle groups is a disgrace to the ancestors of the Chinese civilization. China must have 5 or more CVBGs!

i am sure that varyag is just a beginning. Once the technology is at hand,they will be bringing out
Carriers as if out of a conyeor
Belt.

 

[gambit]

china deserves a clap

Say what? China deserve the clap? That is not a nice thing to say...

 

[Qasibr]

It's been a tradition that big countries with huge resources manipulate smaller ones. The string of western superpowers took it to the extreme, US, England, even Spain lecturing about morality while brutally raping and stealing the resources of defenceless 3rd world countries all over the world, South America, all over Asia and Africa, etc.

China's been pretty different. Despite all the propaganda about China in the western media, it's history shows it to be a considerate and dependable ally. It's always stepped in and helped Pakistan, even in places it didn't have to, throughout our history. I hope China's economic and military strength don't westernize it too much, because China's traditional eastern culture is much better.

 

[Saifullah Sani]

 

[rcrmj]

this varyag is going to be the training carrier, ski jump isnt the good choice unless u develop somthing like F-35 STVL kits`

 

[DelhiDareDevil]

How many carriers does Russia have?

By 2020, I assume India will have 3 carriers and China around 5 maybe ...