Beijing’s decision to build its first aircraft carrier battle group may trigger a “carrier race” in Asia, military experts say.
Andrei Chang, the editor-in-chief of the Canadian-based Kanwa Asian Defence Monthly, said the project would provide good reasons for China’s neighbours - especially Japan and South Korea - to build blue-water-capable ships which can accommodate aircraft.
Japan was the first country in Asia to build and use an aircraft battle group during the Second World War, he noted.
At Pearl Harbour Japan deployed a super battle group led by six aircraft carriers.
Since then, Japan has been forbidden by its post-war constitution from having a traditional military.
But it is “capable of building aircraft carriers and other super weapons when the United Nations allows it to do so”, Mr. Chang said. Japan launched the first of two planned helicopter-carrying destroyers, the Hyuga, in August 2007. The 13,500-tonne vessel can carry at least 11 helicopters, and is expected to begin service in the Maritime Self-Defence Force this year, after sea trials.
South Korea launched its first 13,000-tonne multipurpose ship, a light aircraft carrier, in Pusan in 2005. It has announced plans to build an aircraft carrier group supported by six Aegis destroyers, 15 cruisers and other auxiliary vessels by 2020.
India, which already has three aircraft carriers, has also announced plans to build a new aircraft carrier by 2012, with Russian help.
Mr. Chang said he expected President Hu Jintao to announce the aircraft carrier project this year, to mark the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic.
Beijing has repeatedly stressed its aircraft carrier battle groups will be deployed in the South China Sea to protect oil routes and its territories, and that the PLA Navy does not intend to become a global power like the US and Russian navies.
But there is no doubt the carriers are intended to project China’s pride and power. The project would be a “face project” like the Shenzhou space mission, Mr. Chang said, in keeping with the “traditional character of Communist Party leaders”.
Military experts believe the aircraft carrier is not intended to be a threat to Taiwan, because the 1,000 missiles now aimed at the island are enough to deter any formal independence moves by Taipei. “But the ocean will become crowded because even Indonesia plans to produce a helicopter carrier,” Mr. Chang said.
Alexander Huang Chieh-cheng from Taipei’s Tamkang University said Beijing’s aircraft carrier plan also served as a warning to the US not to intervene in any cross-strait conflict.
The US had regarded the high seas as its “private playground” for a long time, he said, and a new Chinese aircraft carrier might be unwelcome news.
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Carrier Could Trigger Arms Race
Minnie Chan
12 January 2009
Beijing’s decision to build its first aircraft carrier battle group may trigger a “carrier race” in Asia, military experts say.
Andrei Chang, the editor-in-chief of the Canadian-based Kanwa Asian Defence Monthly, said the project would provide good reasons for China’s neighbours - especially Japan and South Korea - to build blue-water-capable ships which can accommodate aircraft.
Japan was the first country in Asia to build and use an aircraft battle group during the Second World War, he noted.
At Pearl Harbour Japan deployed a super battle group led by six aircraft carriers.
Since then, Japan has been forbidden by its post-war constitution from having a traditional military.
But it is “capable of building aircraft carriers and other super weapons when the United Nations allows it to do so”, Mr. Chang said. Japan launched the first of two planned helicopter-carrying destroyers, the Hyuga, in August 2007. The 13,500-tonne vessel can carry at least 11 helicopters, and is expected to begin service in the Maritime Self-Defence Force this year, after sea trials.
South Korea launched its first 13,000-tonne multipurpose ship, a light aircraft carrier, in Pusan in 2005. It has announced plans to build an aircraft carrier group supported by six Aegis destroyers, 15 cruisers and other auxiliary vessels by 2020.
India, which already has three aircraft carriers, has also announced plans to build a new aircraft carrier by 2012, with Russian help.
Mr. Chang said he expected President Hu Jintao to announce the aircraft carrier project this year, to mark the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic.
Beijing has repeatedly stressed its aircraft carrier battle groups will be deployed in the South China Sea to protect oil routes and its territories, and that the PLA Navy does not intend to become a global power like the US and Russian navies.
But there is no doubt the carriers are intended to project China’s pride and power. The project would be a “face project” like the Shenzhou space mission, Mr. Chang said, in keeping with the “traditional character of Communist Party leaders”.
Military experts believe the aircraft carrier is not intended to be a threat to Taiwan, because the 1,000 missiles now aimed at the island are enough to deter any formal independence moves by Taipei. “But the ocean will become crowded because even Indonesia plans to produce a helicopter carrier,” Mr. Chang said.
Alexander Huang Chieh-cheng from Taipei’s Tamkang University said Beijing’s aircraft carrier plan also served as a warning to the US not to intervene in any cross-strait conflict.
The US had regarded the high seas as its “private playground” for a long time, he said, and a new Chinese aircraft carrier might be unwelcome news.
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