Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

will become China’s first aircraft carrier Kuznetsov is converted in the Gorshkov aircraft carrier

[Canada," Chinese Defense Review, "the August (early publication) reported that] question: “Admiral Gorshkov” was the “Kuznetsov” aircraft carrier converted more

Russia, India modified “Admiral Gorshkov” was modified with China, “Kuznetsov” aircraft are in a particular period may not only choice. Conversion between the two is worth a lot of similarities and differences compared.

works very hard

“Admiral Gorshkov” aircraft carrier in the Soviet era known as the “Baku” was, in 1991 the Soviet Union After the disintegration, was renamed the “Admiral Gorshkov” was.

ship started from the service not so lucky, it was launched in April 1982, commissioned in 1987, when close to the Soviet Union, and therefore the hull life, it was launched in November 1988 than the “Kuznetsov” was to a large six years and seven months. In 1992, Jacques 38 VTOL fighter retired, so the “Admiral Gorshkov” was in fact also in a semi-unemployed, or as helicopter carriers. Really served only six years, the Soviet aircraft carrier serving the shortest. Until 1994, it has been in the repair shop in a semi-surface ship maintenance, semi-abandoned condition. Starting from 1994, Russia and India began a formal discussion “Admiral Gorshkov” was sold to the Indian Navy’s problems. After several twists and turns, the 2010 supplemental agreement to determine the final cost of conversion was 23.4 billion U.S. dollars. November 2012 to pay shipping.

Northern Shipyard in public on several occasions told the media: as we open the hull, found that conversion work so vast, that all places need to be replaced! The latest news shows, 77% of the parts to completely re-production.

2011 February, “Admiral Gorshkov” was picture shows the hull of the transformation was basically completed, and the Indian Navy’s hull paint colors, new name of the vessel also marks the end. Construction of the superstructure is still among the most radar has not been installed, not painting color on the whole over the same period in Dalian, “Kuznetsov” aircraft carrier superstructure reconstruction progress slow. Overall plan: August 2011, “Admiral Gorshkov” was all the modifications should be completed, heading for Murmansk ship repair dock No. 35 for further modification, sea trial activities about one year. The end of 2012 the transfer of the Indian Navy.

look at the “Kuznetsov” was. In March 2002, “Kuznetsov” was towed to Dalian, 2006, “Kuznetsov” was basically a small change in the process of re-coating for the hull, partial restoration of electricity. Really started the transformation of the greater time should be after 2008. This calculation from 2002, “Kuznetsov” was transformed into the sea from the trial nine years to accelerate the transformation of at least 3 years. In accordance with China’s current shipbuilding capacity, nine years is sufficient to build a new aircraft carrier. Why must transform the “Kuznetsov” was? Because they do not do this, can not get their construction experience. As we all know, a shipbuilding country, must be from the ship-breaking, ship repair begin, so as to better understand the internal structure.

a totally different way

main reason is the basis of the transformation is not the same. “Kuznetsov” was the original design is taking off and landing as a fixed-wing aircraft carrier to complete, so the basic structure does not change, only need to replace the power, weapons and combat system, fully restored inside and so on. In this sense, the deck, superstructure shape is almost in use. So is the transformation of “guts” of the main.

“Admiral Gorshkov” was making major changes must bones. The ship had just taking off and landing VTOL fighter Yak-38, the deck length of 274 meters wide and 51 meters (“Kuznetsov” was to 304.5 meters, 70 meters wide). Modified “Admiral Gorshkov” was actually the biggest project is to install a ski-jump platform, modular ski-jump platform is “cover” to the front of hull, very clear traces of modification. This increased to 283 m length, width is still 51 meters. MiG-29K carrier-based fighter has never been tested on a ship deck, which is after November this year, the work must be completed, this issue that the MiG-29K is 283 meters in length on deck of aircraft carrier landing, risk is greater than the “Kuznetsov” was the F-15.

look at the comparison of the number of aircraft, “Kuznetsov” was the “Admiral Gorshkov” was originally not a level of aircraft carriers, full load displacement of 67,500 tons, respectively, and 44,570 tons. So different of course fighting. “Kuznetsov” was carrying at least 24 F 15,24 shelf “card” helicopter, which should include at least four cards 31 and 20 early warning helicopters Ka-28 anti-submarine helicopters. Therefore, using the same two anti-submarine aircraft, early warning helicopters, of course, India’s “card” type of helicopter is more advanced equipment, in particular, data link processing, the key technology sold to China is not Russia.

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