http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/first-chinese-aircraft-carrier-nears-completion/story-e6frg6so-1225956776506
First Chinese aircraft carrier nears completion From: The Times November 20, 2010 12:00AM CHINA'S first aircraft carrier, built on the hull of an abandoned Soviet warship, is nearing completion, according to Western analysts. The arrival of China as a member of the carrier club would be the most potent symbol of the country's burgeoning military power, even if its first model is based on a rehashed version of a warship that was never finished by its original owners. The Soviet Union collapsed before work could be completed. The Varyag is expected to make its maiden voyage next year or 2012. "Photos regularly reveal an increasing tempo of work on the Varyag," Richard Fisher, an authority on the Chinese military at the International Assessment and Strategy Centre in Alexandria, Virginia, said yesterday. "The island (control tower) is being much modified and a new Chinese radar system has been installed. We know little about its engine but it appears work has been proceeding on that as well." The 300m warship was bought from Ukraine, which had acquired ownership when the Soviet Union was dismantled, and in 1998 it put the ship up for auction. China bought it for $US20 million and it was expected that the vessel would be turned into a casino. For decades, China had disavowed any ambition to build aircraft carriers, but in more recent years, as the nation's economy has been transformed and Beijing has adopted a more muscular approach on the world stage, military officials have acknowledged the possession of a carrier fleet is crucial for the country's status. It is likely the Varyag will be used as a training platform. It is believed China is planning to have multiple carriers by 2020. Beijing is also ramping up production of unmanned aerial vehicles in an apparent bid to catch up with the leaders US and Israel in developing technology that is considered the future of military aviation. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Post message: [email protected] Subscribe : [email protected] Unsubscribe : [email protected] List owner : [email protected] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
