Rear Admiral of the PLA Navy on the possibility of building an atomic aircraft carrier in Russia

Rear Admiral of the Chinese Navy Yin Cho gave an interview to the local media, where he made a "in-depth analysis" of the statement about plans to build an atomic aircraft carrier in Russia for 2023. This message was made during the 5-th International Naval Salon in St. Petersburg, the head of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) Roman Trotsenko. As is known, this statement was almost disavowed by Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, who again reminded that the State Arms Program 2011-2020 did not provide funds for the construction of aircraft carriers.

Responding to questions from the correspondent, Yin Cho said that in Russia for almost 10 years the issue of building aircraft carriers has been debated. The new Russian nuclear aircraft carrier may have a displacement of approximately 75 thousand tons, which is slightly less than American ships of this class. The amount of fleet can reach 60-70 machines. These could be the Su-33 and MiG-29K fighters, and perhaps the fifth-generation T-50 fighter will be developed.

The only Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, according to the admiral, cannot provide "high intensity of military operations", which is "very dangerous". In his opinion, Russia should have at least two aircraft carrier strike groups. According to him, until 2030, Russia planned to build six aircraft carriers. The current naval strategy of Russia has become practically “coastal”, and the Russian Navy needs to return “to the sea”. In his opinion, the construction of aircraft carriers, attack submarines, as well as the purchase of Mistral helicopter carriers in France and the continuation of their construction at its own shipyards will allow Russia to create a navy that will be close to a military structure the fleet USA. To control the Arctic, only submarines are not enough, the Chinese naval commander believes.

Answering a question about the possibility of building an atomic aircraft carrier in Russia, Yin Cho believes that from a technical point of view, the construction of such a ship would not be particularly difficult. Russia has sufficient experience in the construction of "large-tonnage" nuclear surface ships. Most importantly, Russia needs to resolve some issues related to the creation of a catapult, including working out its application in the conditions of the emergence of "steam and ice" on the deck. The technology of arresting equipment has been developed to a sufficient degree. Thus, problems of creating a catapult capable of operating in the conditions of the northern seas should be “gradually resolved”.

Comments

[Helmut]

What is it? The admiral’s long tongue? Flattery? Trying to drag in an arms race?
But I support the point of view of the Chinese - he is absolutely right.

[Draz]

I'm more interested in where the confidence comes from that there will be a catapult, and not a springboard like Kuznetsov's?

[Helmut]

I will make a reservation that he is right that Russia needs them.
And I also don't understand the position: "that they are not needed, like one missile can be destroyed." So after all, they are created not for total war, but just to prevent it, plus drive the Papuans and other Taliban. The approach of such a ship to, for example, Abkhazia and Georgia does not have a single chance (although it does not exist anyway). Moreover, if there is such a thing in the theater, it simply puts moral pressure on the enemy. And also this is a security island in the combat zone where troops can regroup, heal, command can be placed on it, and so on and so forth. In short, a thing in military terms is simply irreplaceable.
Someone will say: "a lot of money will go away", and it is, but the construction of such a ship is a locomotive for the military-industrial complex, a lot of jobs, R&D, a lot of accompanying diversified technologies, and so on, in fact it is a "floating Skolkovo" in the military-industrial complex (without a shadow irony).
Naturally, this is prestige and an element of deterrence.
The fact that with its help it is still possible to erase entire cities from the face of the earth, I think it does not need to be mentioned, this is already understandable.
And this is so in brief about the pros.

[Draz]

Comrade Rear Admiral here is not talking specifically about aircraft carriers, but "aircraft carrier strike groups", this is a broader definition, in addition to an aircraft carrier there are escort ships, and the range of tasks, both "aggressive" and "defensive", is great. Do not forget that the main enemy of submarines is aviation, i.e. a strike group is patrolling, and anti-submarine helicopters are launched from the aircraft carrier and sonar and submarine detection sensors are lowered tens of kilometers away. Spotted a patrolling Ohio, pursuit, transmitting data to anti-submarine submarines, or taking out an anti-submarine aircraft or helicopter. Also, the Americans use their carrier strike groups in joint patrols with missile submarines, as protection.

So it’s not enough to build just an aircraft carrier.

[Helmut]

The fact that you need escort is clear as daylight. In general, I agree.

[figwam]

A statement of this level tells me that China in a future war will be our ally.

Quote: Draz

I'm more interested in where the confidence comes from that there will be a catapult, and not a springboard like Kuznetsov's?

Unfortunately, without a catapult, it is impossible to take off from a deck with a full load, but it is necessary to strike at the enemy.
Our planes can only carry air-to-air missiles, which means that their task is only to intercept and gain superiority in the air.

The catapult must be made electromagnetic, then frost and water are not terrible.

[NUT]

along the way, the only sure way to save our Navy is to confer Yin Cho the rank of vice admiral and appoint the commander of the Russian Navy
taking into account their invaluable experience in combating combat, theft, corruption and those with which we do not drink, and a two-year ticket will be more powerful and more beautiful than the Russian Navy

[vitvit123]

We have only until 2017. a decision will be made about the construction ....