CV-18 Fujian - Type 003 Aircraft Carrier News & Discussions

[Deino]

This should end the discussion on CV vs CVN due to the clearly visible funnel!

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

This should end the discussion on CV vs CVN due to the clearly visible funnel!

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CV is cheaper to service and deactivate. Makes sense it is CV not CVN.

 

[obj 705A]

CV is cheaper to service and deactivate. Makes sense it is CV not CVN.

IMO it's highly unlikely it had anything to do with money since China has all the money they want to spend and we do know they will probably build a CVN in this decade, instead it was probably just for the sake of time because the PLAN needs to have carriers as soon as possible, if they would have made the type 003 a CVN then it would have taken longer to finish and fix any possible problems that may arise due to all the new technology being introduced.

In fact speeking of introduction of new technology the type 003 is already almost 100% different from the Shandong, it's a completely new kind of ship so while they could have definitely made it nuclear that would have just complicated things even further and with the rather deteriorating geopolitical situation with the US the PLAN probably decided they don't have the luxury of wasting time by making the building of the new carrier more complex than it already is.

 

[ZeEa5KPul]

It's good that we debunked the nuclear 003 idea, but there are plenty of other ideas - believed by many self-appointed "China experts" - that also need debunking. Like the idea that China would build a nuclear-powered icebreaker before it builds a nuclear carrier. That's always struck me as a ridiculous idea; like if I were going to design a race car I should first design a motorcycle. They've got nothing to do with each other.

 

[Deino]

By the way, besides all that more than understandable focus on the dry dock and the Type 003's construction, but do we have any recent information, what's currently going on at the construction site, where the modules have been prepared all the years before?

After a quick search this - 22. December 2020 - was the most recent image in my collection.

 

[kungfugymnast]

IMO it's highly unlikely it had anything to do with money since China has all the money they want to spend and we do know they will probably build a CVN in this decade, instead it was probably just for the sake of time because the PLAN needs to have carriers as soon as possible, if they would have made the type 003 a CVN then it would have taken longer to finish and fix any possible problems that may arise due to all the new technology being introduced.

In fact speeking of introduction of new technology the type 003 is already almost 100% different from the Shandong, it's a completely new kind of ship so while they could have definitely made it nuclear that would have just complicated things even further and with the rather deteriorating geopolitical situation with the US the PLAN probably decided they don't have the luxury of wasting time by making the building of the new carrier more complex than it already is.

You are absolutely right. Type 003 is home defense aircraft carriers and China needed at least 4 ships ASAP complete with fighters squadrons to protect its fleet in South China Sea and East China Sea with furthest operation up to entrance of Pacific Ocean in case of war where China's current strategy is to hold the line, destroy incoming enemy fighters, bombers, ships before they get into effective range of friendly ships & shore.

China doesn't have much time therefore they chose conventional first then only nuclear powered on newer ships for true offensive operations. Type 001 & 002 might be switched role to helicopter & VSTOL carriers like British Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers.

 

[Polestar 2]

You are absolutely right. Type 003 is home defense aircraft carriers and China needed at least 4 ships ASAP complete with fighters squadrons to protect its fleet in South China Sea and East China Sea with furthest operation up to entrance of Pacific Ocean in case of war where China's current strategy is to hold the line, destroy incoming enemy fighters, bombers, ships before they get into effective range of friendly ships & shore.

China doesn't have much time therefore they chose conventional first then only nuclear powered on newer ships for true offensive operations. Type 001 & 002 might be switched role to helicopter & VSTOL carriers like British Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers.

The times of carrier vs carrier are over the moment WWII ended. Aircraft carrier nowadays are just allowed u to project air defense and certain precise surface attack over the continent. It is important for bigger countries with important worldwide trade route to protect against smaller and proxy interference. If China want to sink a aircraft carrier or major warship. The first selected choice will be ASBM.

If China is really urgent for aircraft carrier. They would have build 3-4 simultaneously in Dalian and Jiangnan shipyard.

 

[waja2000]

You are absolutely right. Type 003 is home defense aircraft carriers and China needed at least 4 ships ASAP complete with fighters squadrons to protect its fleet in South China Sea and East China Sea with furthest operation up to entrance of Pacific Ocean in case of war where China's current strategy is to hold the line, destroy incoming enemy fighters, bombers, ships before they get into effective range of friendly ships & shore.

China doesn't have much time therefore they chose conventional first then only nuclear powered on newer ships for true offensive operations. Type 001 & 002 might be switched role to helicopter & VSTOL carriers like British Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers.

Also 003 operation mostly in china water & South china Sea, distance not too far, 1 year just need re-fuel 2-3 time, cost refuel each year should be not more than 100 million rmb

 

[casual]

Also 003 operation mostly in china water & South china Sea, distance not too far, 1 year just need re-fuel 2-3 time, cost refuel each year should be not more than 100 million rmb

sounds around right. cheaper then the cost to refuel a nuclear reactor after 20 years.

 

[ZeEa5KPul]

sounds around right. cheaper then the cost to refuel a nuclear reactor after 20 years.

And decommissioning costs as well.

 

[kungfugymnast]

The times of carrier vs carrier are over the moment WWII ended. Aircraft carrier nowadays are just allowed u to project air defense and certain precise surface attack over the continent. It is important for bigger countries with important worldwide trade route to protect against smaller and proxy interference. If China want to sink a aircraft carrier or major warship. The first selected choice will be ASBM.

If China is really urgent for aircraft carrier. They would have build 3-4 simultaneously in Dalian and Jiangnan shipyard.

Future carrier vs carrier, the fighters would have ability to fly long range to take the fight further away from fleet. China's policy now is aiming for combat radius. Type 003 fighters wings, the J-15B/D has better aerodynamic and large fuel tank allowing it to cruise at higher speed and exceed further combat radius. China would build 3-4 newer carriers simultaneously after Type 003 proven successful on the EMALS.

 

[waja2000]

Future carrier vs carrier, the fighters would have ability to fly long range to take the fight further away from fleet. China's policy now is aiming for combat radius. Type 003 fighters wings, the J-15B/D has better aerodynamic and large fuel tank allowing it to cruise at higher speed and exceed further combat radius. China would build 3-4 newer carriers simultaneously after Type 003 proven successful on the EMALS.

I believe 5 Gen stealth Fighter (J-31 or J-35) will join 003 too.

 

[kungfugymnast]

Also 003 operation mostly in china water & South china Sea, distance not too far, 1 year just need re-fuel 2-3 time, cost refuel each year should be not more than 100 million rmb

Yes you're right. China military analysis predicted US fleet would come from South China Sea & East China Sea. If China had at least 6 Type 003, they could take Guam and few islands near entrance of Pacific Ocean to hold line of defence there.

Their intrusion lately took off from airbase in Chengdu then slowed down to 29*knots seems like they are projecting airdrop in Guam as the distance match. Guess they intended to take Guam and hold like there with carrier fleet should there be war with US

 

[kungfugymnast]

I believe 5 Gen stealth Fighter (J-31 or J-35) will join 003 too.

It's already underway

 

[Deino]

The first clearer image of the Type 003 aircraft carrier's island.

(Image via @supercatknight)