Japanese Navy Sinks The Varyag

That's what this photo of a model the Hyuga shows in the far left center. It also shows JF-17s dumping fuel, and a pair of AAVs on the fore deck of the Hyuga. Click to enlarge.

Varyag's CIWS Firing

This photo from Asian Defense claims to show one of the Varyag's CIWS firing. I'm inclined to say that, assuming this article is of the Varyag, this is one of the Varyag's fore CIWS, due to the location of a FL-3000 next to it.

Here are a Couple of pics showing the Varyag's aft CIWSs on her port and starboard sides.

Port:

Starboard:

Photo Credit: Asian Defense, and China Defense Blog

Help Name The Varyag

     The Diplomat has a little contest ring on where you can suggest a name for the ex-Varyag. Read it:

China needs your help.

Shipwrights in Chinese yards worked wonders transforming a Soviet hulk sold for scrap into a working aircraft carrier. The flattop formerly known as Varyag has ventured out of port on sea trials several times this past year. The People’s Liberation Army Navy appears satisfied with its performance. In fact, some press outlets speculate it could be placed in commission as early as thismonth. But it needs a name. It must stop being the Prince of the naval-aviation world.

Our friends in Beijing are evidently having a hard time settling on a name, though. The vessel was reportedlygoing to bear the name Shi Lang, for a long-ago conqueror of Taiwan. When word got out, the ensuing uproar apparently convinced China’s leaders they were being a tad heavy-handed—especially when they were cultivating an era of good feelings across the Taiwan Strait. Since then the poor ship has gone by “ex-Varyag,” truly an undignified moniker to grace China’s first operational carrier.

That’s where you can help. What kind of name should the ship have? Should it overawe all who behold it, sporting a name like Indisputable Sovereign of the Sea? Should it emphasize the cuddly side of Chinese sea power, with something like Panda Bear or Hello Kitty? Or something else? Please tell us! Enter your response in the comments below. Our crack editorial team will judge the responses and publish the winner next week. The prize will be … a date with editor Harry Kazianis!! (Editor's Note: What?)

And China will thank you.

     Currently, there are names like, Missile Magnet, The Great Leap Forward, Russian Roulette,

  and The Pain Train, among many others. So hop on over there and post your suggestion.

Hat tip to Bayou Renaissance Man for spotting this.

Interior Photos Of The Varyag

     It's been some time since any photos worthy of note have come out of the Varyag. However, Alert 5 just posted some photos of the inside of the Varyag. Take a look:

Photo Credit: Alert 5

Varyag Out For Her 8th Sea Trial

    Photos from China Defense Blog.

China To Build Two More Carriers Starting In 2013

     Focus Taiwan has an article quoting "a Taiwanese security official" claiming that China will begin construction on a second carrier in 2013. 

     There have been rumblings about China building more carriers all over the internet for years now, mainly on forums. However, in 2008 a Japanese newspaper ran an article stating that the Chinese will build 4 more carriers. (see this post for more details).  This is the first time that anyone has claimed that China will begin construction in 2013. 

      As the summer rolls on, it will be interesting to see what developments come from the Chinese aircraft carrier program.

        

Ex-Varyag Begins Her Second Sea Trial

     Yesterday, China Defense Blog and Alert 5 posted new photos showing the Ex-Varyag leaving Dalian at 11:30 AM local time. This marks the second time the Ex-Varyag has sailed, the first time was back August. This time it appears that the Ex-Varyag has more of her equipment on board as she is riding a bit lower than previously.

Starting here the photos are from China Defense Blog

This photo below is from the Ex-Varyag's first time out.

Photo Credit: Alert 5 and China Defense Blog

New Varyag Photos

     China Defense Blog posted these photos. Notice that the Varyag's deck is covered with temporary equipment rather than the office trailers it used to have on it's deck.

Photo Credit: China Defense Blog

Photos Of The Varyag At Sea

     Alert 5 posted some new photos showing the Varyag out at sea during her sea trials.
     The Varyag does not appear to be underway on her own power due to the fact that there is almost no wake, but the fact that she is capable of going to sea is a big step for the future of the Chinese navy.

Photo Credit: Alert 5

Varyag Returns From Sea Trials

China Defense Blog spotted these photos showing the Varyag returning on the 13th from 3 days of sea trials. The cruise ship in one of photos is the Chinese Navy's Life Style 88 crew support ship that sailed with the Varyag on the 10th when the Varyag left for sea trials.

Photo Credit: China Defense Blog

Taiwan Announces Hsiung Feng III Is For Sinking Chinese Carriers

     Defense News reports that Taiwan designed the Hsiung Feng III for attacking aircraft carriers, specifically the ones operated by China. 

      The painting above was displayed at the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition showing the Varyag being hit by 3 Hsiung Feng 3 cruise missiles. This extremely unusual for the Taiwanese, as they usually don't explicitly say that China is the enemy. Thus, this drawing is essentially saying that Taiwan is not afraid of China, and that if attacked could inflict serious casulties on the Chinese.

     Another interesting aspect of this picture is that in the extreme left there is another ship which looks like an aircraft carrier, due to the fact that the superstructure is amidships, and on the port side, similar to an aircraft carrier. If this is an aircraft carrier, it appears to be of similar size to the Varyag, and possibly of the same design. There are reports that China is building at least 2 other carriers, with at least 2 more on the drawing board, as was mentioned here a few days ago.

     With the Varyag entering sea trials, it will be interesting to see how the Taiwanese react to having a Chinese aircraft carrier on their front door.

     

Photo Credit: Wall Street Journal, Wendell Minnick

Varyag Begins Sea Trials

     Defense news reports that the Varyag is beginning her sea trials.

     This a big milestone for Chinese sea power, as they will be able to hit targets farther away than before, and also be able to intimidate weaker countries. China Defense Blog also reported  that a no-fly zone is in effect off of China's coast where the Varyag will probably undergo her sea trials.

     One aspect of Varyag's sea trials is that will the U.S., Taiwan, or Japan launch reconnaissance flights over or near the Varyag's battle group? Will the U.S. send submarines to watch the sea trials? Other questions about the Varyag's sea trials are, how will the propulsion systems perform? Will the Chinese try to land aircraft on the Varyag? Will the Chinese test the Varyag's air defense systems against drones? Will the Chinese hold drills covering under way replenishment? 

     Either way you look at this, it is a milestone for the Chinese navy, but as I have said before the Varyag is not a large threat to the U.S..

     

Photo Credit: China Defense blog

Photos Show Z-8 Helicopter Flying Around The Varyag

     Alert 5 spotted these photos showing a Z-8 AEW (Airborne Early Warning) helicopter flying over the Varyag. It is unknown whether or not the Z-8 actually touched down.
      What is interesting about these photos is that the flight deck is cleared of construction equipment, and building supplies. Thus, it would seem that the Varyag is getting ready to sail.

Photo Credit: Alert 5

The Chinese Carrier Mockup

     Defense News spotted these photos showing China's Varyag mockup on dry land, it is located at the Wuhan Naval Facility on the shore of Huangjia Lake.
      What is interesting about these photos is that the mockup appears to be situated on a large brick building, which brings up two questions. 1. Can you land and launch aircraft from this structure? 2. Does this structure simulate the rolling motion of waves on the ocean?
     Either way this mockup shows a great deal of dedication to eventually operating an aircraft carrier(s).

These photos below are ones that China Defense Blog posted back in October 2009.

Photo Credit (top to bottom): Defense Tech, China Defense Blog

   



 

The Future Of The Chinese Aircraft Carrier Program

     

Defense News reports that Chinese Gen. Luo Yuan of the Academy of Military Sciences stated "If we consider our neighbors - India will have three aircraft carriers by 2014 and Japan will have three carriers by 2014", the General went on to say  "So I think the number [for China] should not be less than three so we can defend our rights and our maritime interests effectively.".     

     This idea is not unheard of, due to the fact that in 2008 a Japanese newspaper ran an article quoting Chinese sources saying that China would build 3 aircraft carriers (not including the Varyag) starting in 2009. Further evidence to support this claim comes in the form of a photo Alert 5 found, and was later posted here, showing the Varyag's starboard side, and a large keel in the next dry dock.

     The keel in the photo appears to be as long as the Varyag itself, and is not yet finished. The keel also appears to be for a ship larger than a destroyer, which are the biggest warships in the Chinese navy (with the exception of the Varyag), and also appears to be extremely large compared to the man in the bottom left center. If this is an aircraft carrier it is probably is of a size similar to the Varyag, and possibly of a different design.

     On top of this, Aviation Week reported that China is also planning to build 2 nuclear powered Project 1143.7 Ulyanovsk-class carriers during the 2020s. The Ulyanovsk-class was supposed to be a Soviet equivalent of the Nimitz-class carriers of the 1980s, and was designed to carry 70 aircraft, and have a displacement of 80,000 tons. However, with collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Ulyanovsk which was then under construction, was canceled and scrapped.

      If the Chinese were to build a nuclear powered aircraft carrier similar to the Ulyanovsk-class, it would mean the Chinese would have to learn a who new range of skills. 1. The Chinese have no experience dealing with nuclear reactor on a surface ship, but do have some experience with reactors on submarines. 2. Nuclear powered carriers need special refueling areas for their mid-life refueling, and special procedures for refueling a reactor of that size. 3.The replenishment need for a Ulyanovsk-class carrier is 33% larger than for the Varyag, and the Chinese do not have a large supply fleet or the skills needed for that task.

     One other aspect of the Chinese aircraft carrier program is whether or not they will put anti-ship missiles (ASMs) on their carriers like the Soviets/Russians. When the Varyag was designed, it was supposed to carry 12 SS-N-19 (P-700) Shipwreck ASMs. The Ulyanovsk-class was also designed to carry 12 SS-N-19s, and/or 12 SS-N-12 (P-500) Sandbox ASMs. What is interesting about this is that in the photos showing the Varyag, there has been no sign of VLS (Vertical Launch System) cells that would hold ASMs. However, if there are VLS cells in the photos then there is a possibility that they might be loaded with surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) rather than ASMs.

     As the Chinese continue to overhaul the Varyag, it will be extremely interesting to find out more about the Varyag's weapons system, and equipment as more information comes out. On top of this it will be facinating to see how China designs their future aircraft carriers, and associated systems.

Photo Credit: China Defense Blog, Alert 5



Smoke Coming From The Varyag's Funnel

     China Defense Blog spotted this photo showing a large amount of smoke coming from the Varyag's funnel.

     This is not the first time exhaust has been seen coming from the Varyag's funnel. Back in May China Defense Blog posted a photo showing heat waves coming from the Varyag's funnel.

     If these photos are authentic, then it shows that the Chinese are quickly getting the Varyag ready for sea trials.



Photo Credit: China Defense Blog

Varyag Powering Up

     China Defense Blog found these photos showing the Varyag with lights on. Defense Tech also noticed that in the photo with the white/yellow lights, there is a JBD (Jet Blast Deflector) in the raised position.

     This is not the first time the Chinese have shown signs that they are nearing the Varyag's sea trials. Back in May, photos emerged showing exhaust coming from the Varyag's funnel, and more recently there were photos showing constrution equipment being removd from the Varyag.

      All this points towards the Varyag being almost ready for sea trials, and then maybe some intimidation in the South China Sea.                                     

Photo Credit: China Defense Blog

New Information About The DF-21D

     Last week the Taipei Times, ran an article quoting Chinese Gen. Chen Bingde confirming the existence of the DF-21D, this would be the first time a Chinese official confirmed it's existence. 

     Further down in the article Chen Bingde stated that the DF-21D has a range of  of 2,700km, which is is almost twice as much as the estimate of 1,500km given by the Navy. Chen Bingde also stated that the DF-21D is still in the development stage and that such high-tech devices were difficult to bring to bring to maturity. Earlier this year the company which produces the DF-21D claimed that it would field a 4,000km IRBM (Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile), along with that Chen Bingde stated that a 2,700km range is easy for them. 

     However, I am skeptical about a 2,700km range for the DF-21D because the Chinese have had problems with high-tech equipment (aircraft engines for example), and the fact that MARVs are not simple things to produce and are very complicated. On top of this the Chinese will be depending on a series of satellites to to feed information to the DF-21D, and satellites can be damaged by flashing lasers at them. Back during the Cold War the Soviets flashed lasers at the Space Shuttle, which caused some problems on the shuttle and discomfort for the crew.

     Overall, the DF-21D is an interesting question, but there still are many kinks to work out in the DF-21D, but, given time the DF-21D could mature into a threat.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Taiwan Fires Homemade Submarine Launched Cruise Missile

     Taiwan late last month launched an unknown number of Submarine Launched Cruise Missiles (SLCMs) in a drill, as Defense News reports.

     The missiles launched were Hsiung Feng II anti-ship missiles (Brave Wind II), and were launched as part of a 5 year project to enhance the capabilities of Taiwan's 2 Hai Lung-class submarines. The Hsiung Feng II has a range of 80 kilometers, a max speed of Mach 0.65 (482 MPH, possibly as high as Mach 0.85 or 630 MPH), and a warhead weighing 180 kilograms (possibly 225kg).

     If the Taiwanese Navy was able to fit cruise missiles into the Hai Lung-class submarines, it would pose no small threat to the Chinese, because diesel-electric submarines are extremely quiet. If this threat is real then it would pose a threat to any Chinese attempts to invade Taiwan, the threat would be especially high for relatively small ships like frigates and possibly destroyers. 

     However, as the photo above shows, the Hai Lung-class is a bit narrow, with a beam of only 8.4 meters. Thus, I would be curious to see how they managed to fit a cruise missile(s) into a submarine that narrow. 

Photo Credit: Republic of China Navy

Grainy Videos Showing Officials Touring The Varyag & The Varyag's Weapons Systems

     Alert 5 spotted these two videos showing a group of officials on the Varyag's deck, and below, a video showing a HQ-10 (FL-3000), a 10 barrel gatling gun, and an unidentified rocket launcher.

Here is the video showing the tour.

And here is the video showing the Varyag's weapons.

If you made the mistake of not turning the sound off for the first video, here is the real song.

Video Credit: Alert 5 & Hans Zimmer