CV-18 Fujian/003 CATOBAR carrier thread

[Aniah]

China does not need nuclear powered ACs, because China is not invading the Middle East or Africa. At the same time, China does not have nearly enough the military bases around the world to support long term deployment. Just because the AC has nuclear power, does not mean all the destroyers have magical power source.

A war in Taiwan does not require nuclear powered ACs. So it is all cost, very little benefit.

If China decides to build nuclear-powered ACs then it is for the long term. Making one sooner than later will help gain experience in optimizing and fixing any quirks for future ACs as well. You are thinking too short term and not the long-term benefits.

 

[BoraTas]

Logically it would make sense if they build 2 more 003 simultaneously at Dalian and Jiangnan to acquire and retain skills needed for 004.

The real chad move would be building 2 CVNs simultaneously. Think about it. Step by step approach was chosen because of competence concerns not tech. China has been building nuclear powered vessels for decades.

 

[charles18]

If China decides to build nuclear-powered ACs then it is for the long term. Making one sooner than later will help gain experience in optimizing and fixing any quirks for future ACs as well. You are thinking too short term and not the long-term benefits.

I think we are all in agreement China will ultimately build a nuclear carrier. That is a guarantee. I don't know of anyone here who is of the opinion China will never build a CVN. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the debate is not if but when. This is not a big disagreement, but rather a small one.

 

[charles18]

The real chad move would be building 2 CVNs simultaneously.

The first Chinese CVN will be called the "Taiwan" and it will have a robot bubble tea vending machine in the mess hall.

 

[Lethe]

I think we are all in agreement China will ultimately build a nuclear carrier. That is a guarantee. I don't know of anyone here who is of the opinion China will never build a CVN. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the debate is not if but when. This is not a big disagreement, but rather a small one.

I am of the opinion, articulated here previously, that China should produce a further three conventional Fujian-type carriers at short (3 year) intervals, in order to arrive at six operating carriers at relatively low cost by 2035, which is not to say that I think China will do this. Indeed, if we don't hear news of steel-cutting on the next carrier by end 2023 I think we can say that notion is dead. Nonetheless I do think that nuclear-powered carriers both should be and are likely to be in PLAN's future. The question, as you say, is when.

 

[kurutoga]

I think we are all in agreement China will ultimately build a nuclear carrier. That is a guarantee. I don't know of anyone here who is of the opinion China will never build a CVN. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the debate is not if but when. This is not a big disagreement, but rather a small one.

Everyone does things for a reason.

China military is expanding, that does not mean China will spend resources irrationally. Nuclear carriers can only serve in two possible scenarios in which their cost is justified by extra benefits, when China invades either US or a European country. It's my opinion that should not be China's plan.

The military expansion so far is mainly for defense purposes, including for the Taiwan strait war. Outside of the above two scenarios, nuclear carriers are no longer cost-effective solutions. Becoming another US, then intervene other countries, was never China's intention. Even if the gov somehow pursues that, it is a hard sell to the population

 

[plawolf]

I honestly don’t know why or how people seemed to have formed the consensus that CVNs are inherently offensive weapons and only useful for attacking far away places.

The biggest advantage offered by nuclear propulsion is range and endurance. But for long range combat perseverance, you still need a large network of overseas bases and/or significant UNREP capabilities because no amount of range on your carrier can magic up bombs or missiles for your airwing out of thin air.

For defensive operations, CVNs offer China significant benefits that are seriously worth looking into in the form of enhanced range, speed and endurance, which is very important given the geographical realities facing the PLAN since it takes a lot of time and effort to get a carrier past the first island chain and out into the open waters of the pacific.

 

[sunnymaxi]

The military expansion so far is mainly for defense purposes

i don't think so.

PLA modernization entered in offensive mode. clearly visible. Chinese government has global ambitions. which is their right as the world largest economy , trading partner and world's factory.

H-20 , type 95/096 , nuclear expansion.

that does not mean China will spend resources irrationally

without knowing civil industry development in China you cannot overview of PLA development.

China spend less than 2 percent of its GDP on military. China spend only 3 percent of industrial output on weapons production. just peanuts. cost is not the problem for China.

The biggest advantage offered by nuclear propulsion is range and endurance.

and why you emphasis much on Taiwan. island game is over. China is now preparing for entire indo-pacific.

 

[ansy1968]

The biggest advantage offered by nuclear propulsion is range and endurance.

and why you emphasis much on Taiwan. island game is over. China is now preparing for entire indo-pacific.

Bro more on the Second Island Chain. The Chinese won't overextend themselves like the American, having Escalatory Dominance within its sphere of influence is enough.

 

[alfreddango]

in the form of enhanced range, speed and endurance

is that beneficial if you outrun your escort and supply ships?