CONSTRUCTION HAS ALREADY BEGUN ON CHINA'S SECOND AIRCRAFT CARRIER

American Admiralty Books Safety & Privacy Policies  

The Hong Kong Commercial Daily is a Chinese language daily published in Hong Kong. In early March 2015 the paper reported the government's industrial and manufacturing agencies have already begun construction on China's second aircraft carrier. The paper cited information from a former political commissar of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. China's first carrier the LIAONING was commissioned in September 2012 and has been under going trials and training ever since. The Chinese according to AAIS (AMERICAN ADMIRALTY INFORMATION SERVICES) sources are now able to conduct flight deck operations, though not yet at typical combat tempos. We have unconfirmed reports that the LIAONING has successfully completed under way replenishment exercises. All reports indicate that even with a second aircraft carrier on the way the LIAONING will be  in full service mode with a few experienced flight deck hands to spare for the commissioning of a sister ship. But all reports indicate that the new carrier will not exactly be a sister ship. The Dragon's second Carrier will not be another Russian rebuild but a first from the keel up Chinese build. 

 It is reported that there will be significant differences between the two Dragon carriers but Chinese sources maintain that only a small official circle know what they will be.  While the construction of the second carrier is being carried out by civilian concerns, it will be turned over to the PLA Navy immediately upon completion for final outfitting and crew training. According to the Hong Kong Commercial Daily, European press reports indicating a possible launch date for the new carrier in late 2015 are simply not true. The reporter did not speculate on an alternative launch date. We think a 2017 launch is likely which provides ample time for design changes, construction adjustments, and delivers the ship just about the time that the LIAONING flight deck has produced a slight surplus of experienced carrier qualified aircraft pilots and flight deck plane handlers and ordinance men. 

 While the U.S. has ten super carriers it is unable to mass more than three in any one place or time. This has been more than enough to deal with the post Cold War world so far. Things change. The U.S. is engaged around the world, especially with European partners in the Middle East and Mediterranean. When the Dragon have three carriers manned by trained and experienced crews we expect the Chinese PLA NAVY to begin its long stated goal of "pushing the U.S. back to Pearl Harbor."  

 This year as we have been doing for the past decade we are again shrinking the naval budget. By 2020 the Chinese could be a match for our Pacific fleet based on their constant build up and our matching build down. It doesn't help matters that the public never has its attention focused on these developments via the national media. Only those who follow maritime and naval blogs and trade journals are aware of what is going on. Consequently a White House that we are convinced is treasonous, and the Congress which is at least ineffectual are not being subjected to real public scrutiny as our national naval capacity is being scrapped.

 China by contrast has publicly stated its intent to build at least three carriers, but doesn't draw the line there. As one PLA Navy wag is quoted; "I think if we need carriers , the more is better". 

 MA Weiming, an expert cited in the Hong Kong Daily in electrical and electronic engineering has publicly speculated that the new carrier's plane launching system is proceeding smoothly and is definitely expected to be more efficient than the "Ski Jump" system on the LIAONING. There are hints that the new system will be electro magnetic and possibly more efficient that those used by the U.S. Navy. 

 While we sleep, the swimming dragon is hatching flying pups. 

American Admiralty Books Safety & Privacy Policies  

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Deciphering Chinese Strategic Deception: The Middle Kingdom's First Aircraft Carrier 

The study examines China’s employment of strategic deception in the acquisition and development of its first aircraft carrier —the Liaoning in 2012. By examining China’s national goals, strategy and propensity to employ deception, this study aims to: 

1. Explain how China’s national goals and strategy drove it to develop an aircraft carrier. 
2. Explain the aircraft carrier’s role in China’s maritime strategy. 
3. Explain how China employed deception in the acquisition and development of the aircraft carrier. 
4. Assess the implications of China’s use of strategic deception in developing its first aircraft carrier. 
5. Assess the future role of China’s first aircraft carrier.  CLICK ON THE BOOK ICON FOR MORE INFO: