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

Data Figure: China’s Navy, “Kuznetsov” aircraft carrier battle groups Imaginative

[Singapore's "Straits Times" Web site on September 5 article] title: China’s Fourth Fleet ( Author Robert Carl Niort)

as low-key state-owned media put it, China has actually shown that it intends to establish People’s Liberation Army Navy’s Fourth Fleet. But the fact may be proved that this is a temporary move.

PLA Navy currently has three fleet, by geographical area, the focus of three different fleets: North Sea Fleet, headquartered in Qingdao; the East China Sea Fleet based in Ningbo; the South China Sea Fleet, headquartered in Zhanjiang. However, last month published an article 16 suggests that the brewing reform envisaged scale than most people are great.

People’s Daily quoted an unnamed military sources as saying that China’s first aircraft carrier is expected to be delivered in the next year eighty-one Army Navy official: the direct command of the aircraft carrier ownership of the Central Military Commission, the initial plan later served in the South China Sea.

general, owned by the South China Sea South China Sea Fleet is responsible for its terms of reference also includes the Paracel Islands (which I Paracel Islands) and the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands I) based hotspots. The carrier was incorporated into the mixed fleet, but it is a command of the Central Military Commission. In view of this, the carrier now seen as a ballistic missile forces and the Second Artillery’s strategic assets have the same status.

University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation Zhangtai Ming (voice), said: “It (referring to the Fourth Fleet) or People’s Liberation Army Navy ministries must be supported either as a single and three Fleet different assets. I’d think, it will not be playing a team like the Second Artillery organizational structure as independent of outside forces. “

carrier alone can not combat, but as a carrier battle of the core elements, which is a basic common sense. Beijing has played down this point, always talk about the aircraft carrier itself. But the carrier is a valuable but vulnerable asset, it needs protection, each carrier has the operational capability of countries to understand this.

aircraft carrier battle group composition varies, but it needs more ships, aircraft carrier and its air fleet for the support, it is always the same. U.S. aircraft carrier staffing patterns generally include two guided missile cruisers, two destroyers, a frigate, two nuclear-powered attack submarine and a supply ship. Depending on the task, may also increase with troop transport, amphibious assault craft and cargo ships.

Navy aircraft carrier battle groups in other countries have different structures, but are included in a series of core combat capabilities. These combat capabilities, including air defense, anti-submarine warfare and land attack cruise missiles implementation.

the People’s Liberation Army Navy, its aircraft carrier fleet composition may include one to two “business” class 093 nuclear-powered attack submarines and one to two “modern” class destroyers.

addition may also be equipped with at least one or two destroyers and a frigate. Destroyer may be “Island Tour” class destroyer 051C or “Ocean Journey” II-class destroyer 052C, which may replace the Russian-made “modern” class guided missile destroyer position. Frigate is likely that the “Jiang Kai” Ⅱ grade 054A frigate, which started in 2008 is a multi-purpose frigate put to use. Initial supply ship may be required tonnage of 23,000 tons of “Fu Chi” class supply ship, the ship served in 2004.

all combat forces may create a powerful force, but still need years to fully complete the training.

Beijing has made clear that the country’s first aircraft carrier – that is, by large-scale renovation was recently completed after the first sea trials of the original “Kuznetsov” aircraft carrier – will be used. ” research and training. ” But no doubt, this certainly is beyond the scope of training the carrier itself, but will involve the entire aircraft carrier battle groups.

In addition, there is a question worth considering is that the Chinese may be interested in an addendum to more carriers. This shows that the “Kuznetsov” was based Fourth Fleet may be transitional measures, and then will conduct a deeper level of reform.

China’s intent is clear, is not yet clear but the scale and duration.