The speculation is finally over: A closer look at the CV-17 or Type 001A.
First noticed by Jane’s in late February 2015 and reported by Sean O’Connor in detail on 27 September 2015, #GEOINT suggests that this “is almost without a doubt the bones of thePLAN’s first domestically-built carrier ” says @samlagrone via @USNINews
At a monthly press briefing Senior Colonel Yang Yujun, spokesman for China’s MND said “China is designing and building its second carrier “completely on its own” ”.
This is hardly a surprising announcement. Analysts have been using open-source intelligence reports and images posted on Chinese social media to come to the conclusion that the hull of a very large ship in the port city of Dalian was, in fact, that of China’s second aircraft carrier.
Further, The Pentagon’s annual report to Congress “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2015”, clearly states that “China also continues to pursue an indigenous aircraft carrier program and could build multiple aircraft carriers over the next 15 years.”
At a monthly press briefing Senior Colonel Yang Yujun, spokesman for China’s MND said “China is designing and building its second carrier “completely on its own” ”.
This is hardly a surprising announcement. Analysts have been using open-source intelligence reports and images posted on Chinese social media to come to the conclusion that the hull of a very large ship in the port city of Dalian was, in fact, that of China’s second aircraft carrier.
Further, The Pentagon’s annual report to Congress “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2015”, clearly states that “China also continues to pursue an indigenous aircraft carrier program and could build multiple aircraft carriers over the next 15 years.”
Considering the amount of coverage given to the subject by Chinese social media and other Chinese web sites, it is safe to conclude that the government is not trying to hide their plans. The pro-government @globaltimesnews has enthusiastically referred to this project inJanuary 2014 and again in February 2015 .
Zhang Junshe, a researcher with the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Naval Military Studies Research Institute told Xinhua, the state-run newspaper, “construction of China’s second aircraft carrier is normal and the scale of China’s aircraft carrier development is much smaller than that of the United States and even India.”
Zhang further clarified that “future Chinese carriers will be fitted with catapults for fighter jets to take off on deck, but the process will be gradual since catapult take-off involves more complex technology.”
Type 001A is a conventional powered carrier with a displacement of 50,000 tonnes and will deploy a ski jump for take-off. The carrier is under construction in Dalian and “will be a base for J-15 fighters”. The Shenyang J-15 also known as Flying Shark , is a carrier-based multirole fighter jointly developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and the 601 Institute. The J-15 is the only aircraft which is capable of taking off from this carrier.
Zhang Junshe, a researcher with the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Naval Military Studies Research Institute told Xinhua, the state-run newspaper, “construction of China’s second aircraft carrier is normal and the scale of China’s aircraft carrier development is much smaller than that of the United States and even India.”
Zhang further clarified that “future Chinese carriers will be fitted with catapults for fighter jets to take off on deck, but the process will be gradual since catapult take-off involves more complex technology.”
Type 001A is a conventional powered carrier with a displacement of 50,000 tonnes and will deploy a ski jump for take-off. The carrier is under construction in Dalian and “will be a base for J-15 fighters”. The Shenyang J-15 also known as Flying Shark , is a carrier-based multirole fighter jointly developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and the 601 Institute. The J-15 is the only aircraft which is capable of taking off from this carrier.
Challenges face by Type 001A
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Suggested reading:
The Pentagon’s annual report to Congress “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2015
A Comprehensive Survey of China’s Dynamic Shipbuilding Industry by Gabriel Collins and Lieutenant Commander Michael C. Grubb, via @NavalWarCollege
A Comprehensive Survey of China’s Dynamic Shipbuilding Industry by Gabriel Collins and Lieutenant Commander Michael C. Grubb, via @NavalWarCollege