PLAN invited to participate in RIMPAC for first the time (2014)

asif iqbal

asif iqbal

Lieutenant General
What China sends is not important but what is important is that they do take part

If its one warship fine, it's a start, Americans didn't have to send a invite but they did, it's a positive step, they have obviously recognised Chinas rise other wise why invite! we shouldn't get into this who asked first thing anyway because that is the start of a bad relationship

Don't start pointing fingers even before nothing has happened, if US and China get together it will only benefit everyone, they got the invitation is like someone drawing his hand to shake yours, your job is to extend your and shake it


Really happy for this, what should China send? Eh well I think Type 071 is out of the question I would like to see Type 052C, it's a big ship for big boys club which China is part of, sending in a Type 054A is way conservative but that might be the vessel that ends up going

Type 052C DDG is the class one would expect PLAN to send nothing less, not doubt a fleet will go with her along with a replenishment tanker but for the excercise the DDG will do fine
 
Jeff Head

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
vesicles said:
It would be sooooo exciting to see the Liaoning and the CSG at Pearl Harbor! However, is it enough time for the PLAN to train up the entire CSG?
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Well, it depends on what they do between now and then. They have over a year to prepare.

If they take the extended cruise they are talking about this summer, with several vessels accompanying the Liaoning, then I see no reason why they couldn't make the voyage next year to Hawaii. We are talking about training in manuevering, which they should be able to accomplish between now and then.

Heck...you may even see them send 3-4 J-15s on board for doing some launches and traps while they visited Hawaii.

mr.nean said:
I agree jeff. this is the first time PLAN participate so they will send something that can make a positive impression but yet modestl like you said a FFG 054A and a DDG 052C plus a replenishment ship would be likely. since they are over there they might do some friendly port visits in the western hemisphere after rimpac. as they build up trust and cooperative relationship with the USN and others then we may see PLAN sending a larger fleet.
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For the exercises, yes...one or two vessels if the US agrees to two.

However, for the trip over they will also need a replenishment ship that would resupply the vessels, but would not take part in the exercises. If I were them, I would also add in the Liaoning, to be present in Hawaii with the rest of the group, but not a part of the exercises. That would make a HUGE impression, and could be viewed very positively.

Then that whole group could visit two or three other ports. I know I would pesonally drive down to San Diego, or over to San Francisco, or up to Seattle to see them, and hopefully have a chance to get on board. What a blast that would be for this old cowboy. The old Cannon camera will be busy in any case if something like this comes about.

asif iqbal said:
Type 052C DDG is the class one would expect PLAN to send nothing less, not doubt a fleet will go with her along with a replenishment tanker but for the excercise the DDG will do fine
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Yes! BTW, Asif, congrats on your 2000th post!
 
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joshuatree

Captain
Jeff Head said:
I would imagine that the PLAN could send an entire CSG to Hawaii if it do desired...and certainly a replensihment ship.

It's the exercises out in the ocean off of Hawaii where the restriction would come in...and my guess is that if China requested to have, say, two ships involved in those exercises, it would be granted.

So, if the PLAN and PRC really wanted to make an impression, I would pick a couple of vessels, say a FFG and a DDG to be involved in exercises, but show up there with a larger group, even centered on the Liaoning, to make as positive and impressive a show as possibe.
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As an enthusiast, I would love to see a CSG sail to Pearl. But given the restrictions and conditions of the invitation, the pragmatic side of me is hedging on a lone type 054A, which has been the new ambassador of late. It is a proper balance of showing the latest equipment without giving away everything.

Regarding impression, it's a double edged sword. Sailing in a CSG to Pearl may be viewed positive in terms of transparency and demonstrating potential capability. But it can also be viewed, definitely by the regional competitors, as a bogeyman.
 
Jeff Head

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
joshuatree said:
As an enthusiast, I would love to see a CSG sail to Pearl. But given the restrictions and conditions of the invitation, the pragmatic side of me is hedging on a lone type 054A, which has been the new ambassador of late. It is a proper balance of showing the latest equipment without giving away everything.

Regarding impression, it's a double edged sword. Sailing in a CSG to Pearl may be viewed positive in terms of transparency and demonstrating potential capability. But it can also be viewed, definitely by the regional competitors, as a bogeyman.
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Well, for that length of trip, I would expect a Type 054A would need replenshiment and so such a vessel would have to be included. So, if you are going to send that, if you are ready, sending more would not hurt.

For my money, if I could, I would send the Liaoning. It is not ready for prime time anyway, so they would not be giving away very much, particularly if they were wise in the emissions while there. I mean, they are not going to be involved in the exercises anyway.

As to bogeyman...they cannot avoid that in any case. Best, IMHO, to be upfront and as not threatening as possible to help diffuse that...and what better way than to be present at a party that you are invited to where all of those players are present anyway.

Anyhow. time will tell. I do not actually expect it...but it would be cool if it happened.
 
plawolf

plawolf

Lieutenant General
The PLAN is not going to send the Liaoning out of Chinese waters without an escort, and the US only invited one ship, so even if the Liaoning was ready to make the trip with a full airwing, the PLAN would still not send her.

The thing to remember is the PLAN bought the Liaoning for a reason, and that reason isn't to show off. When Liaoning sails again, she will be busy training up pilots and crews, and I doubt the PLAN would want to break with their busy training schedule to send the Liaoning all the way to Pearl to do basic search and rescue exercises that any FFG or DDG can do just as well in her stead.

This is the first time the PLAN has been invited and would take part, so both sides don't really know what to expect from the other. In that context, I think the PLAN will play it safe and send a capable ship so as not to seem discourteous to the hosts, but they would most certainly not send their sole carrier on the first time they participate.

I would expect an 054, 054A or 052B to be sent, hell, they may even end up sending one of the refurbished 052s, their double hanger would certainly be more useful for search and rescue than any of the other PLAN ships, and they should have the endurance to make it to Pearl without needing a supply ship to tag along.
 
A

advill

Junior Member
There are lot's of perceived or actual accusations about 'bashings". China, US, Japan or any other nation can make assumptions or rhetorics. However, here is a wonderful opportunity for the PLA-N to show its willingness be part of the "brotherhood of the sea" and friends with the others by joining RIMPAC, as invited by the USN.




Jeff Head said:
That bashing is a two edged sword and it has been cutting both ways.

The fact remains...the US invited the PRC to attend. It did not have to do that.

It is something that at least provides an opportunity that would not exist if no invite had occurred. It was a proactive step taken by the United States It can lead to positive outcomes, even if taken only in small steps...which are better than no steps.
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joshuatree

Captain
Jeff Head said:
Well, for that length of trip, I would expect a Type 054A would need replenshiment and so such a vessel would have to be included. So, if you are going to send that, if you are ready, sending more would not hurt.

For my money, if I could, I would send the Liaoning. It is not ready for prime time anyway, so they would not be giving away very much, particularly if they were wise in the emissions while there. I mean, they are not going to be involved in the exercises anyway.

As to bogeyman...they cannot avoid that in any case. Best, IMHO, to be upfront and as not threatening as possible to help diffuse that...and what better way than to be present at a party that you are invited to where all of those players are present anyway.

Anyhow. time will tell. I do not actually expect it...but it would be cool if it happened.
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I had also initially thought the type 054A or any other warship CN would send based on the invitation's restriction would require a replenishment ship to accompany it. That's what prompted me to ask earlier on whether the rules only applied to ship participating in exercises or whether it applied to the entire visiting force.

But then on second thought, if the US invitation is based on friendship, most certainly Pearl would gladly replenish any visiting CN warship so a type 054A can make the voyage solo. Looking at the roster for RIMPAC 2012, Singapore sent RSS Formidable on her own with no replenishment ship. About the same sized vessel. Hopefully, it won't be something awkward such as requiring the CN vessel to be moored at Honolulu Harbor instead of Pearl Harbor like what happened with New Zealand.
 
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