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All-Chinese jets to serve on nation's first carrier
By Yang Jian |
September 28, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA'S first aircraft carrier will be equipped with aircraft developed from fighters made in China, Ministry of Defense spokesman Yang Yujun said yesterday.
At one time it had been thought Russia's Su-33 fighter might be used on the Liaoning.
However, domestic military officials and analysts are predicting that Chinese J-15 fighters, which they say are a match for US F-18 Hornet fighters, will be used as many photographs had been published showing the plane on the Liaoning's deck.
The current weak point of the J-15, also known as the Flying Shark, is its Russia-made Al-31 engines which are less powerful than those of the American F-35 fighter, said Hu Siyuan, a professor with the National Defense University PLA China.
"However, the J-15 will be more competitive with the F-35 in future when the Chinese jet is equipped with made-in-China engines because the US jet has only a single engine," he said.
The twin-engined Chinese fighter made its maiden flight in 2009 in northeastern Shenyang.
China's J-31 stealth fighter may also be used on the carrier in future, analysts said.
The J-31 attracted wide public attention in June when some online pictures showed the cutting-edge fighter fully wrapped but with its futuristic shape still discernible.
"Both fighters have twin engines and will have great potential to upgrade weapons load and fighting ability in future," said military analyst Qu Yanbing.
Qu said the Liaoning would have about 40 fixed-wing aircraft on board.
Though the carrier could be combat ready at any time, it will continue to be used for scientific research and experiments as well as military training, Yang told a regular press conference in Beijing yesterday, two days after the Liaoning had been officially commissioned in its home port of Dalian.
"Aircraft carriers can be used for both attack and defense as well as to safeguard the peace and for rescue works in disasters, but, for the Liaoning, experiments and training are its major task," he said.
The carrier is a milestone in China's military history and a major achievement in the nation's naval development, Yang said. "But this is only the first step of our aircraft carrier development. We still have a long way to go," he said.
When asked to confirm reports that the Chinese Navy will create an aircraft carrier formation in the future and build an aircraft carrier base in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao, Yang said: "The formation is generally made up of the aircraft carrier itself, escort vessels, submarines and aircraft. China will study the issue in accordance with the development and real needs of the aircraft carrier."
Yang dismissed media reports that a second aircraft carrier was being built in Shanghai for launch later this year. "Such reports are inaccurate," he said.
As for the Liaoning's impact on China's surrounding areas, Yang stressed that the country adheres to the path of peaceful development, independent foreign policy and pursues a defensive national policy.
At one time it had been thought Russia's Su-33 fighter might be used on the Liaoning.
However, domestic military officials and analysts are predicting that Chinese J-15 fighters, which they say are a match for US F-18 Hornet fighters, will be used as many photographs had been published showing the plane on the Liaoning's deck.
The current weak point of the J-15, also known as the Flying Shark, is its Russia-made Al-31 engines which are less powerful than those of the American F-35 fighter, said Hu Siyuan, a professor with the National Defense University PLA China.
"However, the J-15 will be more competitive with the F-35 in future when the Chinese jet is equipped with made-in-China engines because the US jet has only a single engine," he said.
The twin-engined Chinese fighter made its maiden flight in 2009 in northeastern Shenyang.
China's J-31 stealth fighter may also be used on the carrier in future, analysts said.
The J-31 attracted wide public attention in June when some online pictures showed the cutting-edge fighter fully wrapped but with its futuristic shape still discernible.
"Both fighters have twin engines and will have great potential to upgrade weapons load and fighting ability in future," said military analyst Qu Yanbing.
Qu said the Liaoning would have about 40 fixed-wing aircraft on board.
Though the carrier could be combat ready at any time, it will continue to be used for scientific research and experiments as well as military training, Yang told a regular press conference in Beijing yesterday, two days after the Liaoning had been officially commissioned in its home port of Dalian.
"Aircraft carriers can be used for both attack and defense as well as to safeguard the peace and for rescue works in disasters, but, for the Liaoning, experiments and training are its major task," he said.
The carrier is a milestone in China's military history and a major achievement in the nation's naval development, Yang said. "But this is only the first step of our aircraft carrier development. We still have a long way to go," he said.
When asked to confirm reports that the Chinese Navy will create an aircraft carrier formation in the future and build an aircraft carrier base in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao, Yang said: "The formation is generally made up of the aircraft carrier itself, escort vessels, submarines and aircraft. China will study the issue in accordance with the development and real needs of the aircraft carrier."
Yang dismissed media reports that a second aircraft carrier was being built in Shanghai for launch later this year. "Such reports are inaccurate," he said.
As for the Liaoning's impact on China's surrounding areas, Yang stressed that the country adheres to the path of peaceful development, independent foreign policy and pursues a defensive national policy.
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