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94-644: The system was first adopted by the Liaoning aircraft carrier and the Type 056 corvette in 2011. The design of the HQ-10 places it in a similar role to the American Rolling Airframe Missile , both serving as point defense missile systems . Each HQ-10 missile has a length of around 2 m and a width of around 0.12 m. The missile has a range of 9 km against subsonic targets and 6 km against supersonic targets, and

188-597: A training ship , intended to allow the Navy to experiment, train and gain familiarity with aircraft carrier operations. Following upgrades and additional training in late 2018, Chinese state media announced that the ship would shift to a combat role in 2019. Originally laid down in 1985 for the Soviet Navy as the Kuznetsov -class aircraft carrier Riga , she was launched on 4 December 1988 and renamed Varyag in 1990. After

282-439: A 100 mm artillery mount, and a hangar to hold one Kamov KA-28 ASW helicopter. In 2002, the Type 052C followed, using the same Ukrainian GT25000/DA80 gas turbines. The 052C became the first PLA warship with true long range anti-air capability. It included, for the first time, the domestic Type 346 flat-panelled AESA radar and indigenous HQ-9 long-range SAM (48 missiles, 200 km range) launched via concentric VLS ,

376-408: A 110,000 tonne 'super aircraft carrier'. Media reports also stated that the current aircraft carriers under construction were based on Liaoning , but would be larger and would displace around 80,000 tonnes. The PLA Navy planned to establish three aircraft carrier battle groups by 2020. Liaoning and China's first domestically built carrier were to be part of the battle groups. One of the battle groups

470-453: A Hong Kong business friend, spending HK$ 6 million to create Chong Lot as a Macau shell corporation . He described a harrowing negotiation in Kyiv , lubricated by bribery and liquor, which helped to arrange victory at the auction. As a precaution, he shipped 40 tonnes of the carrier's blueprints to China overland in eight trucks. The passage from Ukraine to China was even more troublesome than

564-551: A deal with Russia for the purchase of two Type 956E Sovremenny class destroyers. The first ship (renamed Hangzhou ) arrived in January 2000 and the second (renamed Fuzhou ) in January 2001. These ships significantly improved the PLAN's fighting capabilities. Each ship displaces 7,940 tons full loaded. Weaponry included ASW torpedoes and mortar launchers, AK-630 automatic CIWS cannons, two twin mountings of 130 mm rapid fire cannons,

658-540: A flight altitude as low as 1.5 meters. The guidance system is said to be an advanced matrix imaging infrared (IIR) seeker. However, it appears to have a pair of horn like protrusions at the front of the missile which may indicate the existence of passive radar seekers or semi-active radar seekers. The launcher is designed to be customisable in terms of number of missiles carried. Possible different configurations include 8, 15, 18 and 24 missiles, which can be deployed on different warships based on size and suitability. It

752-511: A fourth having been launched in December 2023. A total of eight are planned, although later units may be of the improved Type 076. For a list of smaller landing craft of the PLAN, see: List of active People's Liberation Army Navy landing craft Destroyers are the largest principal surface combatants in the People's Liberation Army Navy. The People's Liberation Army Navy had traditionally focused on

846-423: A fresh development (the Type 054B frigate ) are now entering service. Corvettes are the smallest principal surface combatants in the People's Liberation Army Navy. Traditionally the PLAN operated extensive fleets of missile and gun boats for defence of its littoral waters. However, as the PLAN moved towards developing blue water capabilities, there is a growing need to replace a larger number of smaller vessels with

940-455: A large military display presided over by Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping , and were condemned by Taiwan as "military intimidation". The Type 001 is built upon the unfinished hull of Kuznetsov -class aircraft carrier Varyag . Unlike Soviet Admiral Kuznetsov , the Chinese Type 001 ships are configured solely as aircraft carriers. The cruise missile launchers were never installed, and

1034-512: A model of the Type 056 was presented. The first ship was launched in May 2012. Though the Type 056 appears in the 21st century, the design concept can be referred to as early as the 1980s, when the PLAN were considering developing a larger patrol ship to replace the Type 037 corvette to improve the living conditions on the ship, which was firstly called by Type 038. However, this concept was not realized until

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1128-863: A new YJ-18 long range supersonic anti-ship missile. It has since been mass-produced, with 25 units produced as of 2022, 4 under construction and 8 more planned for a total of 37, more than all previous classes combined. Currently eight Type 055 destroyers - the Nanchang , the Lhasa , the Dalian , the Yan'an , the Anshan , the Zunyi , the Wuxi and the Xianyang - which are Asia's biggest warships (Aircraft carriers and Amphibious assault ship not included) since

1222-517: A new anti-ship cruise missile known as the YJ-62 and two Type 730 CIWS . Production was stalled after just 2 ships due to initial failures in localising the Ukrainian GT25000/DA80 gas turbines. Production was restarted in the 2010s after success in localising the gas turbines, and in the end a total of 6 were produced. Due to the stall in 052C production, the 051 series was restarted in 2003 as

1316-507: A new generation of frigate design in the PLAN, and a shifting focus on larger multi-role platforms. The air defense missile armament is no better than the Jiangwei II class although this may be upgraded later. The original Type 054 has now been superseded by the Type 054A frigate ( Jiangkai II ), which continues in series production (up to 40 units are completed and active, while another 10 are under construction or planned). The 054A features

1410-464: A number of important improvements over the original 054. The main air defense armament has been upgraded to a 32-cell VLS HQ-16 medium-range SAM system, giving area air-defence capability for the first time to PLAN frigates. In addition, the four AK630 CIWS have been replaced by two autonomous Type 730 CIWS . The Type 054A is altogether a well balanced and stealthy frigate design, with considerable firepower and multi-role versatility. The first units of

1504-429: A quadruple launcher are also available. Additionally, a single-cell launcher is available for mounting on existing naval gun mounts. The HHQ-10 naval version is currently deployed aboard various PLA Navy warships, such as the Type 056 corvettes, Type 054 frigates, Type 956E destroyers (refit), Type 052D class destroyers, Type 055 class destroyers, Liaoning aircraft carrier, Shandong aircraft carrier and in

1598-639: A second round of flight tests began on board CNS Liaoning , with personnel from the fleet air arm of the Brazilian Navy providing carrier training support to the People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force who operate the J-15s. In August 2014, based on an article from Chinese state media, Western news outlets reported that two pilots had been killed testing jets slated to operate from Liaoning . Chinese military officials stated such reports were misleading, and clarified that deaths were in fact unrelated with tests on

1692-486: A short range missile system later indigenously produced as HQ-7 . A second vessel, the Qingdao (113) was launched later in the mid-1990s. Since the 2000s, the 052 Luhu class has been through various upgrade and refit programmes. Both Harbin (112) and Qingdao (113) have undergone major refits and both now carry sixteen YJ83 Anti-ship missiles and remain in service. As a result, two subclasses of destroyers were formed in

1786-714: A smaller number of larger and much more capable vessels: Following the designing and building of the Pattani class corvette for the Royal Thai Navy in the mid-2000s, speculation of a domestic variant of the design was rife. The speculations were confirmed in November 2010 during a visit by Maj. Gen. Wang Junli, Deputy commander of the Hong Kong Garrison and the Hong Kong University 's Vice-Chancellor Tsui Lap-chee when

1880-466: A smaller number of larger, more capable and versatile ships, including destroyers , frigates , corvettes , amphibious warfare ships and large auxiliary ships . However the growing number of "blue water" capable warships has risen, and fleet numbers are projected to reach more than 500 units by the close of the 2020s. Meanwhile, according to the China Military Power Report published by

1974-419: A steam burst in the engine compartment which forced the crew to evacuate some parts of the ship, and the ship lost power. The problem was ultimately resolved and power was restored, although the time duration of the problem has not been released by military officials. On 23 September 2012, the aircraft carrier was handed over to the PLAN, and was commissioned on 25 September 2012. At the commissioning ceremony,

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2068-566: A surface attack. The ship was laid down as Riga at Shipyard 444 (now Mykolaiv South) in Mykolaiv , Ukrainian SSR , on 6 December 1985. Design work was undertaken by the Nevskoye Planning and Design Bureau . Launched on 4 December 1988, the carrier was renamed Varyag in late 1990, after a previous similarly named cruiser launched in 1989. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991,

2162-564: A twin launcher for SS-N-2 Styx anti-ship missiles. Initial attempts to fit anti-aircraft missiles to frigates resulted in a fresh design known as the Jiangdong Class (Type 053K). The first ship - the Yingtan 531 - was commissioned in 1975 carrying two twin launchers for the HQ-61B short ranged SAM, this vessel served as the sole PLAN SAM capable frigate until the 1990s. A second ship of this class -

2256-507: A variety of missiles, including land-attack cruise missiles, and a new 130 mm naval gun. Its displacement in excess of 12,000 tons and upgraded VLS capacity has led to the United States classifying it as a guided missile cruiser rather than a destroyer and as a result, analysts have compared it to the U.S. Navy's Ticonderoga class cruiser and the Zumwalt class destroyer . Frigates are

2350-511: Is Type 001. In November 2016, the political commissar of Liaoning , Commodore Li Dongyou, stated that Liaoning was combat-ready. The Kuznetsov -class ships were originally designated by the Soviet Navy as " тяжёлый авианесущий крейсер " ( tyazholiy avianesushchiy kreyser , TAKR or TAVKR), meaning "heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser ". In addition to aircraft, the ships were designed to carry P-700 Granit anti-ship cruise missiles that also form

2444-518: Is claimed that the system can launch missiles in about 10 seconds. The FL-3000N is a missile that commonly replaces the HQ-10 on ships exported to other countries, hence it is commonly dubbed the export version of the HQ-10. However, that is not an official designation. Although the FL-3000N shares many characteristics with the HQ-10, they are not the same missile. The FL-3000N was developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), and

2538-556: Is similar to a balanced combat and support aircraft approach intended for Soviet aircraft carriers, which supported nuclear submarines, large surface combatants, and land-based strike bombers performing anti-access roles. The Soviet lineage has its limitations. The air wing lacks long-range radar and anti-submarine fixed-wing aircraft, needing support from shore-based aircraft such as Tupolev Tu-154 ASW and Shaanxi Y-8 AWACS aircraft. The U.S. Department of Defense noted that J-15s will have below normal range and armament when operating from

2632-568: Is the first operational aircraft carrier in service with the PLAN. Liaoning , previously known as Varyag , is a Kuznetsov -class aircraft carrier which the Chinese purchased from Ukraine in 1998 through a private tourist venture in Macau . At the time, Varyag was only 68% completed and stripped of all military equipment as well as her propulsion. After the purchase, Varyag was towed to Dalian , where she underwent extensive refurbishment, coordinated by

2726-452: Is undergoing refit. Hangzhou (136) has had its SA-N-7 SAM replaced with vertical-launch HQ-16 (32 missiles, 40 km range), SS-N-22 anti-ship missiles replaced by eight YJ-12 anti-ship missiles and fitted with HQ-10 CIWS. In 2001, production of the 052 line was restarted as the Type 052B after a replacement of the LM2500 gas turbines was found, in the form of the Ukrainian GT25000/DA80. It

2820-440: Is usually fully automatic without human intervention, but manual operation can be inserted when needed. An optional extra magazine with automated loading system is available for larger warships when there is enough space provided. On smaller surface combatants where space is limited, the extra magazine with the automated loading system is eliminated and the reload is done manually. To further use confined space, an 8-cell launcher and

2914-591: Is visible on satellite imagery regularly berthed at a large jetty at the Yuchi Naval Base (near Huangdao ) in China's Shandong province since 2013; this is reported as its home port. In August 2018, the South China Morning Post reported that Liaoning was berthed at Dalian undergoing its first refit since its commissioning in 2012. The radar above Liaoning ' s bridge and the air traffic control at

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3008-641: The South China Morning Post . Xu, a former military basketball player, reported that he had been commissioned by the PLAN to purchase the vessel on its behalf, with the floating hotel and casino as a cover story. He was warned that the Chinese Navy did not have the budget to buy the ship, and the Chinese government did not support the purchase. However, Xu was so impressed when touring the ship that he resolved to purchase it using his personal funds. The previous year, Xu had borrowed HK$ 230 million from

3102-621: The Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company . On 10 August 2011, it was announced that the refurbishment of the new Liaoning was complete, and that the ship was undergoing sea trials . Liaoning was finally commissioned on 25 September 2012. In July 2011, a senior researcher of the Academy of Military Sciences said China needed at least three aircraft carriers for its fleet. During the same month, another Chinese official announced that two aircraft carriers were being built at

3196-557: The Dalian naval shipyard in northeast China. The costs included $ 25 million to the Ukrainian government for the hull, nearly $ 500,000 in transit fees, and $ 5 million for 20 months of towing fees. Xu Zengping estimated in 2015 that his total out-of-pocket cost was at least US$ 120 million. He insisted that he had never been reimbursed by the Chinese government, and had spent the last 18 years repaying his debts, in part by selling properties such as his home. A source familiar with

3290-508: The Dardanelles without incident. On 4 November, Varyag was caught in a force 10 gale and broke adrift while passing the Greek island of Skyros . The ship was taken back under tow on 6 November, after one sailor died while attempting to attach the tow lines. The Suez Canal does not permit passage of "dead" ships – those without an on-board power source – so the hulk was towed through

3384-486: The General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, resulting in the Type 052 Luhu class. The first vessel, Harbin (112) (seen and commissioned by the early 1990s), was a significant shift from traditional Chinese warship design. These were the first Chinese attempt at truly modern combat vessels and there was much more focus on air defense and ASW warfare, including the installation of an 8-celled Crotale launcher,

3478-641: The Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai ; the aircraft carriers were reportedly based on a similar design to Liaoning , suggesting a displacement of approximately 65,000 tonnes. A new Chinese variant of the Sukhoi Su-33 fighter aircraft, known as the Shenyang J-15 (or Flying Shark ) was expected to fly from the new aircraft carriers. In 2013, Chinese media reported that the PLAN is designing and planning to build

3572-450: The Jiangwei I were built between 1990 and 1994. Though a great versatile design, it suffered the same weaknesses in air defense, as its SAM had to be manually reloaded as well as unsatisfactory performance. The four ships have been refitted since for life extension, and continue to serve the PLAN. The HQ-61 SAM system was later replaced by HQ-7 SAM systems during refits. The first Jiangwei II

3666-516: The Liaoning aircraft carrier group was taking part in the Joint Sword-2024B military exercises around Taiwan. People%27s Liberation Army Navy Surface Force The People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force is the surface warfare branch of China 's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), consisting of all surface vessels in operational service with the PLAN. The PLAN Surface Force operates 661 ships organized into three fleets :

3760-585: The North Sea Fleet , the East Sea Fleet and the South Sea Fleet . Since the late 20th century, the People's Liberation Army Navy has been turning away from its traditional focus on coastal and littoral warfare and instead prioritizing the development of blue water capabilities. This led to a significant reduction in overall fleet numbers as the PLAN has replaced a larger number of smaller ships with

3854-638: The Siping 544, dubbed as the Jianghu IV class. Only one ship was modified, despite great optimism that most of the class would follow suit. The Siping is believed to perform more as a test ship, with a single helicopter hangar and a new single 100 mm gun mount similar to the French Creusot-Loire rapid fire main gun. Its fighting capabilities have been retained with twin SY-2 missiles and AA guns. The fitting of

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3948-717: The Strait of Gibraltar , around Pointe des Almadies and the Cape of Good Hope , past Cape Agulhas and into the Indian Ocean and through the Straits of Malacca at an average speed of 6 knots (11 km/h; 6.9 mph) across the 15,200-nautical-mile (28,200 km; 17,500 mi) journey. The tugboat fleet called for supplies en route at Piraeus , Greece; Las Palmas, Canary Islands ; Maputo , Mozambique; and Singapore . Varyag entered Chinese waters on 20 February 2002, and arrived on 3 March at

4042-523: The Type 051C , using the same hull and layout as the 051B Luhai class and domestic steam turbines. Initial construction was delayed by the slow acquisition of the Russian S-300FM long range SAM. It was intended to be a stop gap measure to provide long range area air defense to the fleet by mating the mature hull design with proven foreign SAM system that was more capable than that of the Type 052B destroyer. The ship uses concentric VLS launchers with

4136-621: The Type 054 frigate (in NATO parlance the Jiangkai I class) entered PLAN service (with hulls 525 and 526). The Type 054 is considerably stealthier than all previous PLAN frigate designs. These two ships (the Ma'anshan and Wenzhou ) are each armed with an HQ-7 octuple launcher, eight YJ83 anti-ship missiles, a 100 mm main gun, four AK630 CIWS turrets, ASW torpedoes and rocket launchers, carries one Ka-28 Helix or Z-9C, and displaces 3,400 tons. This represents

4230-704: The Western Pacific . In May 2022, Liaoning and its carrier strike group conducted drills in the East China Sea and they were sighted near Miyako Island by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force . Japanese analysts noted a very high operational tempo from Liaoning , which suggested China's growing confidence and maturity in aircraft carrier operations. On 14 October 2024, Chinese Eastern Theater Command spokesman Captain Li Xi confirmed that

4324-602: The Yellow Fleet that was stuck in the Suez Canal for eight years, and French thrillseekers even landed a helicopter on the ship. Meanwhile, Chinese officials negotiated with Turkey, offering trade and tourism concessions. In August 2001, Turkey relented and agreed to allow the ship to pass. On 1 November 2001, the Bosphorus was cleared of all other traffic as Varyag was towed through. On 2 November, Varyag also passed through

4418-713: The Zhongdong 532 - was launched in 1975 but was never completed, and scrapped after 1986. Both ships were built by Hudong, Shanghai. Their effectiveness in engaging missiles and aircraft was thought to be limited. The same hull was later used for the Jianghu class (Type 053H) class. During the 1970s the PLAN introduced the Jianghu class. Essentially, a scaled down version of the Luda class of destroyers, this large class of missile frigates would have many follow-on variants. The first hull, 515 Xiamen

4512-518: The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, construction was halted and the ship was put up for sale by Ukraine . The stripped hulk was purchased in 1998 and after much delay, towed to the Dalian naval shipyard in northeast China, arriving in 2002. The ship was rebuilt and commissioned into the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) as Liaoning on 25 September 2012. Its Chinese ship class designation

4606-402: The PLAN, namely the 051 series and 052 series. There are certain design differences between the two subclasses, such as the 051 series ships using mature indigenous steam turbine engines, compared to marine gas turbines on the 052 series, which were at the time less mature and had to be imported. Near the end of the 1990s, the Type 051B Luhai class was introduced as a new design (not based on

4700-601: The Pentagon , as of October 2023, China has the numerically largest navy in the world with an overall battle force of approximately 370 surface ships and submarines , including over 140 major surface combatants — in comparison, according to the U.S. Naval Vessel Register , the United States Navy 's battle force is approximately 292 ships and submarines. The PLAN Surface Force currently operates three aircraft carriers, with one more in development: The 60,900 tonne Liaoning

4794-579: The People's Liberation Army Navy considers Liaoning to be an aircraft carrier. Since China is not located on the Black Sea and thus not considered a Black Sea power under the Montreux Convention, it does not need and cannot use the tonnage exemption for non-aircraft carrier capital ships. The ship was completed as an aircraft carrier, and cruise missiles were never installed. Liaoning is equipped only with air defense weapons and must use its aircraft for

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4888-458: The Russian S-300FM air defense missile (48 missiles, 150 km range). Compromises had to be made, such as forgoing a helicopter hangar to fit the S-300FM systems, forgoing the flat panelled AESA radar for a more conventional Top Plate radar and forgoing any CIWS. It also reverted to the older YJ83 anti-ship missiles. Construction of the 051C was stopped after just 2 ships as the 052C development

4982-807: The Second World War, were in active service by the end of 2022, four with the North Sea Fleet and four with the South Sea Fleet. A second (improved) batch of eight are under construction under the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). Some or all of these may be to an improved Type 055A Class. The Type 055 destroyer is China's biggest surface combatant until now. It was designed to be a modern, multi-purpose warship, with four enormous Type 346B AESA radars and an integrated mast containing intelligence equipment, electronic countermeasures, and fire control radars. Armament includes 112-cell modular VLS able to operate with

5076-437: The South China Sea , as well as extending air control further south of the disputed region. In December 2016 the ship exercised in the Western Pacific, including passing through the Miyako Strait between the Japanese islands of Miyako-jima and Okinawa . On 18 April 2018, Liaoning took part in the navy's live-fire exercises in the South China Sea, involving 76 fighter jets and 48 warships and submarines. The drills came after

5170-447: The South East Asian region, as well as a limited capability in outer sea landings. Most vessels are only capable of transporting troops while some are capable of transporting limited numbers of armored vehicles. In late 2012, it was reported that China may be developing a class of 40,000 to 48,000 tonne landing helicopter docks (LHDs). They came to be known as the Type 075 class . Three vessels of this class are in active service, with

5264-444: The Type 051) utilising domestic steam turbines due to Western embargo on the LM2500 gas turbines. The class was an attempt at modernising naval construction, utilising more modularity and stealth, as well as refining knowledge accumulated from the earlier Type 052 such as integrating foreign subsystems more effectively. The 051B was still obsolete by Western standards, equipped with only short-range anti air capability and just one ship

5358-426: The Type 6601 frigate (NATO designation Chengdu Class), and comprised the Chengdu 507 and Guiyang 505 (both built by Hudong, Shanghai), and the Hengyang 508 and Kunming 506 (both built by the Huangpu Shipyard in Guangzhou). They were followed in 1963-69 by five frigates to a domestic design developed from the Riga class; these ships constituted the Type 65 class (NATO designation Jiangnan Class) and comprised

5452-450: The YJ82 with extended range. There are three ships in the Jianghu III class and six ships in Jianghu V class. The Jiangwei I class was launched in 1991 and represented a shift away from the old Jianghu concept. Major features included a sextuple HQ-61B SAM launcher, modernized electronics and radar, six YJ8 missiles, automatic Type 76F anti-aircraft guns and a hangar and helicopter deck for one French AS 565 or Z-9C helicopter. Four of

5546-502: The acquisition explained that the naval official, Ji Shengde, who initiated the mission had been in prison because of smuggling. Contrary to initial reports that the ship had no engines, Xu reported that all four original engines remained intact at the time of purchase, but had been shut down and preserved in grease seals. A refit restored them to working order in 2011. 701st Institute was tasked to redesign Varyag with Zhu Yingfu (朱英富) and Wu Xiaoguang (吴晓光) were assigned respectively as

5640-632: The active service, the Anshan class destroyers remain on PLAN's list and act as training ships and perform public relations duties. The Type 051 Luda class followed from the 1970s onwards, with many similarities to the Soviet Kotlin class. The Luda s were armed with six anti-ship missiles and various guns and ASW weapons. Both the Luda and Anshan were key vessels to PLAN's coastal defense doctrines, as small coastal defense destroyers. These ships were all armed with mostly manually operated air defense artillery with no surface-to-air missiles and no ASW torpedoes. One Luda class ship, Guangzhou (160),

5734-492: The carrier was officially named Liaoning , in honour of the province in which she was retrofitted. On 26 December 2012, the People's Daily reported that it would take four to five years for Liaoning to reach full capacity. As it was a training ship until 2018, Liaoning was not assigned to any of China's operational fleets. According to geopolitical analysts, China could use Liaoning and its future carriers to intimidate other countries that have territorial claims in

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5828-640: The carrier, due to limits imposed by the ski-jump takeoff system. The lack of a carrier onboard delivery aircraft like the United States Navy (USN) Grumman C-2 Greyhound also limits logistics capabilities. Liaoning would need extensive land-based support to oppose a USN carrier strike group; however, it would be potent against the Vietnam People's Navy and the Philippine Navy . Deficiencies will likely be corrected with future aircraft carriers, which are expected to be larger with conventional takeoff decks and catapult launching for heavier fighters, plus fixed-wing radar and anti-submarine patrol aircraft. Liaoning

5922-449: The carrier. The original Chinese article from Xinhua also did not link the deaths with the J-15 nor mention any loss of such aircraft. On 5 April 2021, the aircraft carrier Liaoning , destroyers Chengdu , Taiyuan , Nanchang , frigate Huanggang and supply ship Hulunhu were spotted between Okinawa and Miyako Island . In December 2021, Liaoning carrier group was deployed to Yellow Sea , East China Sea , and

6016-601: The deal since Chong Lot had no listed telephone number, was not located at its listed address, and was run by former officers in the Chinese Navy. Officials in Macau also denied Chong Lot's application to operate a casino. However, analysts noted that Varyag had deteriorated too much to be used as an operational warship and pointed out that the Chinese Navy was concentrating on submarines. The Soviet carriers Kiev and Minsk had also been sold to China as tourist attractions. In January 2015, further details emerged in an interview with Hong Kong -based businessman Xu Zengping by

6110-454: The estimated year of operational status. China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian , was begun in March 2015 and was launched on 17 June 2022. She is (start of 2024) currently undergoing trials). The PLAN operates many types of amphibious vessels of various sizes and capabilities: Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs) Amphibious Transport Docks (LPDs) Landing Ship, Tank (LSTs) Landing Ship, Medium (LSMs) Landing Craft The construction of

6204-403: The first public acknowledgement of the ship's refit. On 27 July 2011, the Chinese Defence Ministry announced it was refitting the vessel for "scientific research, experiment and training". In 2018, Asia Times reported that Sun Bo , a general manager of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation , had allegedly passed on technical details of Liaoning to the Central Intelligence Agency . Sun

6298-400: The future, the Type 075 LHD . The FL-3000N has been exported to countries such as Bangladesh and Nigeria. Aircraft carrier Liaoning Liaoning ( 16 ; Chinese : 辽宁舰 ; pinyin : Liáoníng Jiàn ) is a Chinese Type 001 aircraft carrier . The first aircraft carrier commissioned into the People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force , she was originally classified as

6392-477: The general designer and deputy general designer. Wang Zhiguo (王治国) was assigned as the general system engineer, and Yang Lei (杨雷) was assigned as the general supervisor. The workload of converting Varyag for operational use was equivalent to building ten new destroyers. Varyag was moved in June 2005 to a dry dock at Dalian ( 38°56′06″N 121°36′51″E  /  38.935°N 121.6141°E  / 38.935; 121.6141  ( Varyag ) ). Her hull

6486-421: The helicopter hangar meant the sacrifice of the aft SY-2 missile launchers. A further step for the Jianghu class was made by the appearance of the Jianghu III/V class, first commissioned in 1986. These ships are the first to have air conditioning onboard Chinese warships. They feature heavy Western influence, and instead of using the SY-2 missiles, they are armed with the YJ8 series. The Jianghu V class carries

6580-405: The large Yuzhao-class amphibious transport docks (LPDs) ( pictured ) indicated an important shift toward blue water capabilities for the PLAN. However, the Landing Ship, Tanks (LSTs) of the 072 series still constitute the core of PLAN amphibious capabilities. With approximately 26 confirmed in service, the PLAN possesses the capabilities to conduct amphibious operations in the littoral waters of

6674-527: The launcher base was removed during the refit to incorporate a larger hangar bay. The air-defense system consists of FL-3000N surface-to-air-missiles and the Type 1130 CIWS . In August 2014, the Chinese-language Shanghai Morning Post listed that CNS Liaoning would carry 36 aircraft: 24 Shenyang J-15 fighters, six Changhe Z-18 F anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters, four Changhe Z-18J airborne early warning helicopters and two Harbin Z-9 C rescue helicopters. The Chinese carrier aircraft inventory

6768-809: The main armament of the Kirov -class battlecruisers . This multirole capability allowed the ships to avoid classification as aircraft carriers, thus allowing them to pass through the Turkish Straits between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea . Under the Montreux Convention , aircraft carriers larger than 15,000 tons are not permitted to pass through the Straits, but there is no displacement limit on other types of capital ships from Black Sea powers. In contrast,

6862-471: The most numerous principal surface combatants in the People's Liberation Army Navy. In spite of the more recent trend to construction of larger warships, like destroyers, this status is unlikely to change in the near future: Frigates were the first large surface combatants made available to the PLAN. The Soviet Union sold several frigates to the PLAN in the 1950s, including kits for four Riga-class frigates . These four ships were assembled in China in 1955-58 as

6956-409: The other remaining ships continue to retain original weaponry, they had all undergone major refits to extend their surface lives, including satellite communications and navigation systems to allow them to operate beyond coastal waters. As of 2021, all Luda s have been retired. In the 1980s, the PLAN focus shifted toward blue-water multi-role operations, alongside the import of Western systems such as

7050-513: The principles of coastal defense. With this came a series of warship designs based on the Soviet Navy 's destroyers and frigates. The first PLAN destroyers were the Anshan class , directly purchased from the Soviet Union. These were armed with torpedoes and various surface- and air-warfare guns. The Anshan' s effectiveness in naval warfare was significantly enhanced with the torpedo tubes being replaced by anti-ship missile launchers. Although retired from

7144-685: The prototype Haikou 529 built at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, and four further ships all built at the Huangpu Shipyard in Guangzhou - the Xiaguan 501, Nanchong 502, Kaiyuan 503 and Dongchuan 504. These frigates became the foundation of Chinese built designs, such as the Type 053 frigates . These ships were mostly armed with naval guns, though later designs managed to replace torpedo tubes with

7238-490: The purchase. In June 2000, Varyag was taken under tow. As the tugboat approached the Bosphorus , Turkey denied permission for the ship to pass through, citing the risk that a gust of wind would turn the ship widthwise and block the entire strait. Varyag spent the next 16 months being towed around the Black Sea, accruing towing charges of $ 8,500 a day as Chong Lot stopped paying its bills. The tugboat operator compared its fate to

7332-606: The rear of the island superstructure were noted to have been removed, and scaffolding was also noted around the command center. The refit was completed in January 2019, spending about six months. The ship superstructure was modified with an improved design, and the flight deck was completely stripped and refurbished. On 4 November 2012, the People's Liberation Army's website ( Chinese : 中国军网 ) reported that Shenyang J-15s had performed carrier touch-and-go training. On 25 November 2012, China announced that J-15s had made five successful arrested landings on Liaoning . In June 2013,

7426-446: The rectangular fins of the HQ-10. The launchers come in the same 24 missile loadouts as the HQ-10, but its design is slightly different and missiles are differently arranged. The FL-3000N missile uses a combined guidance system that incorporates both imaging infrared (ImIR) guidance and millimeter wave radar (MMW) guidance. There are a pair of horn like protrusions mounted on the ImIR seeker at

7520-461: The ship because of the international diplomatic situation at the time. Unable to find a buyer, Ukraine left the ship to deteriorate in the elements. In 1998, the rusting hulk was sold at auction for $ 20 million to Agencia Turistica E Diversões Chong Lot Limitada, a company from Macau . Chong Lot proposed to tow Varyag to Macau under pretenses of conversion into a $ 200 million floating hotel and casino; Western observers were suspicious of

7614-417: The ship was only 68% complete. Construction was halted, and the ship was put up for sale. The name Varyag was then adopted by another cruiser launched in 1983. Ukraine approached China , India , and Russia as potential buyers. China sent a high-level delegation in 1992, which reported that the ship was in good condition and recommended a purchase. However, the Chinese government declined to purchase

7708-555: The short/medium-ranged SA-N-7 SAM (48 missiles, 25 km range) and the SS-N-22 Sunburn supersonic sea-skimming anti-ship missile. Two improved Type 956EM vessels (renamed as Taizhou and Ningbo ) were acquired in 2002, and include a longer range SS-N-22 missile, improved air defense, and the Kashtan CIWS. Although the software was upgraded to accommodate the improved SA-N-12, it is unclear if it entered service. The class

7802-419: The tip of the missile, and these two protrusions are the passive radar seekers. An optional ImIR only guidance is also available and the missile is a fire and forget weapon. The fire control system (FCS) of FL-3000N can simultaneously control two launchers, and can be integrated into other FCS on board ships. Alternatively, FL-3000N is also capable being directly controlled by other FCS on board ships. The system

7896-733: Was sandblasted , scaffolding erected, and the ship's island was painted in a red marine primer to treat metal corrosion. Observers have noted the installation of Type 348 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar (four arrays) and Sea Eagle radar . The air defence system consists of the Type 1130 CIWS and the HQ-10 missile system. The anti-ship missile tubes would not be used, freeing up internal space for hangar or storage use. Russia has explored similar modifications to her sister ship Admiral Kuznetsov . In 2011 an analyst of DigitalGlobe (later: Maxar ) spotted Liaoning as an aircraft carrier. On 8 June 2011, General Chen Bingde made

7990-677: Was a general manager at the Dalian shipyard where the ship's refurbishment was done. The ship undertook her first sea trials from 10 August 2011 to 15 August 2011. On 29 November 2011 the carrier left port for her second set of trials. The carrier completed her eighth sea trial between 7 and 21 June 2012 and returned to Dalian. In July 2012, the ship set out for the longest trials thus far, 25 days. The carrier completed sea trials in early August 2012 and loaded Shenyang J-15 aircraft and KJ-88, YJ-83K and YJ-91 missiles in preparation for weapons systems trials. During sea trials, Liaoning experienced

8084-634: Was built - the Shenzhen 167 (originally 115), built by Dalian in 1996-99; it has since undergone major refits. Similar to the 052 Luhu class, it carried sixteen YJ83 anti-ship missiles, improved HQ-7 short-range SAM (Based on the Crotale), and had enhanced electronic, sensor and weaponry capabilities. A major refit in 2015 upgraded it with medium-range anti-air capabilities via vertical-launch HQ-16 (32 missiles, 40 km range), sixteen supersonic YJ-12 anti-ship missiles and two Type 1130 CIWS. In 1996, China signed

8178-454: Was completed in 1975, and mass production followed until 1996. All Jianghu class ships are armed with four SY-2 anti-ship missiles (indigenous and improved versions of initial Soviet SS-N-2 Styx). Gun armaments vary across the class, including a single 100 mm mount or a more modern Type 79 100 mm twin mounts. The latest eight hulls (built during the early 1990s) feature automatic twin 37 mm Type 76A AA guns. One Jianghu , hull 516,

8272-552: Was finalised in 2008 and continued production. In 2012, the Type 052D destroyer started construction, with a design largely based on the 052C, but equipped with a universal VLS system that can fire 64 missiles of different variety, an updated Type 346A flat-panelled AESA radar and a new missile-based HQ-10 CIWS. The 052D represents the ultimate culmination of the 051 and 052 series of destroyers, with all key systems such as gas turbines, flat-panelled AESA radars and HQ-9 long range air defence missiles fully localised, as well as

8366-674: Was initially planned to be the PLA's first modern long range anti-air destroyer featuring a new stealthy design, the domestic Type 346 flat-panelled AESA radar and HQ-9 missiles but development of the missile was not ready in time. Hence, it instead adopted many Russian and indigenous weapons and sensors. Just two units were produced. Its armament included two indigenous Type 730 CIWS (first of its kind in China), sixteen YJ83 anti-ship missiles, two Russian SA-N-12 Grizzly medium-range SAM (48 missiles, 32 km range), torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets,

8460-436: Was intended to be a competitor to the HQ-10, which was developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The FL-3000N lost the tender to the HQ-10 and thereafter obtained export authorisation, leading to its current status as a de facto export version of the HQ-10. There are some notable differences between the FL-3000N and the HQ-10. It has different missile fins which are triangular in shape compared to

8554-501: Was launched in 1997. This has a similar design layout to the Jiangwei I but has incorporated major improvements. These included eight (not six) YJ82/3 missiles, octuple HQ-7 SAM (replacing the HQ-61B), improved fully automated main gun, and a redesigned aft structure. Ten Jiangwei IIs were built, the last ship commissioned in 2005. All Jiangwei s have since been refitted with a stealthier gun casing for their 100 mm main guns. In 2005,

8648-439: Was lost in an accident. By the mid-1990s, all Anshan class destroyers were retired. Since the late 1980s, the older 051 Luda went through various upgrade and refit programmes. One vessel was refitted with a double hangar and helicopter deck. At least four others were upgraded with HQ-7 short range SAM, new automatic air defense artillery (as opposed to the old manual mounts), torpedoes and sixteen YJ83 anti-ship missiles. Though

8742-408: Was refitted recently to carry a battery of 122 mm rockets, fixed on stabilized launchers. A total of 27 Jianghu Is were built, and they remain in use today with various upgrades and refits to extend their service life. The vessels are deficient in modern anti-aircraft, anti-ship and anti-submarine fighting capabilities. The first Chinese frigate to carry a helicopter was a modified Jianghu II,

8836-610: Was to be deployed in the East China Sea, while the other two were to be deployed to the South China Sea. On 31 December 2015, it was announced that China was building a second carrier in STOBAR configuration, displacing around 50,000 tonnes, with a length of 300m and an estimated capacity of 50 aircraft. The hull was launched on 26 April 2017 and was estimated to be operational by 2020. This carrier—PLAN's second aircraft carrier, Shandong —was put in commission on 17 December 2019, prior

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