First Chinese carrier would possibly join Southern Fleet

12.04.2011 The first Chinese aircraft carrier most likely will be commissioned into China's Southern Fleet which is responsible for the South China Sea, reported Chinese news agencies referring to ex-director of Taiwanese Navy's intelligence department.

"First carrier can join Southern Fleet", stated the expert. As for the Taiwanese expert, with acquiring a capable aircraft carrier Chinese Navy would have an opportunity not only to operate in the Taiwan Strait but to attack poorly-defended east coast of the island. On the other hand, it is still uncertain when the Chinese carrier would become operable, pointed out the expert.

China's official media sources have recently started to publish photos of the first national aircraft carrier, which had not been officially recognized before. Regularly updated amateur photos of ex-Soviet aircraft-carrying cruiser Varyag being built at Dalian shipyard have being posted on Chinese forums for over a year, although official media agencies ignored existence of the ship. Chinese authorities have been refusing from any comments on the carrier.

Xinhua News Agency became the first official source published the ship's photo last Wednesday referring to the Internet forum. According to the agency, the ship may be completed in the current year. Representatives of Chinese foreign ministry withheld comments again. Nevertheless, photos of the carrier became the matter of extensive discussion amid Chinese and foreign media agencies.

Earlier in 2011, the world learned about the first China's 5-generation fighter J-20 in the same manner, i.e. via Internet forums. The photos emerged on Chinese websites in Dec had came into view of western journalists early in Jan and were reposted by foreign media agencies, and then – by Chinese sources referring to western colleagues. Soon after, the aircraft performed the first flight which aroused public resonance worldwide.

According to Pentagon's report on Chinese military power published in Aug 2010, China has formed a 50-man team of pilots for deck-based aviation. Presumably, the Chinese would use retrofitted Varyag to practice deck takeoffs and landings for 4-5 years, and try to shape more than one carrier strike group by the year of 2020.

Shenyang Aircraft Corporation is developing deck-based fighter J-15 for the future aircraft carrier; Soviet deck-based fighter Su-33 was the prototype for J-15. Media learned about J-15 program in 2010 – again from amateur photos posted on forums.

Aircraft-carrying cruiser Varyag was launched at Nikolayev shipyard in 1988. After breakup of the USSR the uncompleted ship was handed over to Ukraine and sold to a company from Macao in 1998. Formally, the ship was supposed to be refitted into floating casino. In 2001 the ship was towed to China; in 2003 Varyag was transferred to a shipyard in Dalian in order to undergo fitting-out works. According to photos posted on Chinese forums during recent months, works are at closing stage; arms and most of radio electronic equipment has been already mounted.

Official name of the first Chinese aircraft carrier has not been reported so far, Chinese websites assumed several versions of the carrier's name including Shi Lang (in honor of known Chinese naval commander).