The Chinese military has confirmed that it has a new aircraft carrier. The yet unnamed vessel is actually an unfinished Soviet-era aircraft carrier originally named the Varyag, bought from the Ukraine about a year ago for $20 million, and now being refitted. It is widely believed that the Chinese are in the process of building two more aircraft carriers on their own.
Here then, is the Chinese aircraft carrier fleet, along with its specifications:
Unnamed Chinese aircraft carrier--Displacement: 66,400 tons; Length: 1000 feet; Diesel; Carries 50 aircraft
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Here is the US aircraft carrier fleet, along with its specifications:
USS Enterprise--Displacement: 93,284 tons; Length: 1,123 feet; Nuclear; Carries 70 aircraft
USS Nimitz--Displacement: 100,000 tons; Length: 1,092 feet; Nuclear; Carries 90 aircraft
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower--Displacement: 101,600 tons; Length: 1,092 feet; Nuclear; Carries 90 aircraft
USS Carl Vinson--Displacement: 101,300 tons; Length: 1,092 feet; Nuclear; Carries 90 aircraft
USS Theodore Roosevelt--Displacement: 104,600 tons; Length: 1,092 feet; Nuclear; Carries 90 aircraft
USS Abraham Lincoln--Displacement: 100,000 tons; Length: 1,092 feet; Nuclear; Carries 90 aircraft
USS George Washington--Displacement: 104,200 tons; Length: 1,092 feet; Nuclear; Carries 90 aircraft
USS John C. Stennis--Displacement: 103,300 tons; Length: 1,092 feet ; Nuclear; Carries 90 aircraft
USS Harry S. Truman--Displacement: 103,900 tons; Length: 1,092 feet; Nuclear; Carries 90 aircraft
USS Ronald Reagan--Displacement: 101,400 tons; Length 1,092 feet; Nuclear; Carries 90 aircraft
USS George H. W. Bush--Displacement: 102,000 tons; Length: 1,092 feet; Nuclear; Carries 90 aircraft
Ten of the eleven aircraft carriers in the US fleet are Nimitz-class carriers. Three more carriers of a new design (Gerald R. Ford class) are in the pike. These are expected to replace three of the ones currently in use, though this may change depending upon naval requirements.
Related articles
- U.S. responds to Chinese aircraft carrier with pointed question (hotair.com)
- China Turns Soviet Aircraft Carrier Into Luxury Hotel (bigpeace.com)
- First Chinese Aircraft Carrier of the Day (geeks.thedailywh.at)
- China’s New Aircraft Carrier (delamagente.wordpress.com)
Wonderful post John, Militarily it will be many years before China catches us. I wonder if they have plans to use theirs to retake Taiwan since they have been building up their forces in the area? If they are intending to do so, do you think the Mr. Obama would keep our promises to the people of Taiwan? We still have an aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan off the coast of Japan, don’t we? If China were to take advantage and try to retake Taiwan would Obama order them to protect Taiwan? Forgive me for changing the subject here, but one thing generally gets me thinking of other possibilities. I guess you could say that I am a “What if?” person!
There are no doubt many people within the Chinese military and the Chinese Communist Party who are committed to retaking Taiwan by force if other means cannot be found. The general consensus of old China hands and most people in Taiwan is that this is pure bluff, and that China would never do this as the Taiwanese and mainland economy is so intertwined. The consensus of nearly every mainland Chinese is that this conflict is inevitable, and that this conflict will involve the US.
I doubt that any move would be made within the next several years, as the Chinese military is not yet strong enough. Thus, this is likely something Obama would not face. As for future administrations, it may neither be militarily nor politically feasible for the US to uphold its commitments in Asia–at least with the kind of full-throttled response envisioned and war-gamed in the past.
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I found this this morning John and I thought that you might find it interesting, too.
“China sells its drones using videos of them destroying US aircraft carriers” It is from Libradex and here is the link:
http://www.libradex.com/viewArticle.aspx?id=104
It’s a fascinating article!
Thanks for the link.
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GOD BLESS THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED.STATES.OF AMERICA.dfeal
GOD BLESS THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED .STATES.OF AMERICA. D.FEAL.