Iran's new adorable submarine...

[Guest Derek L]

Cept the Dreadnaughts were the top of the line Battleships at the time and these boats are second-rate by the standards set by the US and UK.

Not initially……….A Dreadnought commissioned in 1910 was obsolete by 1917 due to rapid technological advancements and operational considerations found during the initial sea battles of the war (the Falklands, Jutland etc)

The same applies to aircraft carriers…….The Americans, like I said earlier started with the USS Langley (basically a freighter with a flat top), then just over twenty years later developed the USS Midway (Which was still relevant into the early 90s), and ten years after the Midway, the USS Forrestal (The first modern “Super Carrier”), and several years later, the Enterprise (first nuclear powered carrier)……….

The Chinese will be able to skip many of the major developmental paths undertaken by previous carrier operators once they have a cadre of personal to define “the book” on carrier operations in their navy……..In a decades time, those personal operating the carrier today will be senior officers, NCOs and instructors for the next generation……….As such, the only limiting factor on the number of carriers the Chinese will have then will be money.

As I’ve said, this is only the first step on a longish journey for the Chinese, but it is a step, a step that a great many other nations choose not to take or are unable to make……….This illustrates that the Chinese feel the ability to project power overseas and control the sea lanes is a worth while future investment.

Edited December 3, 2012 by Derek L

[Guest Derek L]

And with all the talk of the Chinese carrier, I forgot to mention the now named future USN CVN 80........The USS Enterprise:

[bush_cheney2004]

....As I’ve said, this is only the first step on a longish journey for the Chinese, but it is a step, a step that a great many other nations choose not to take or are unable to make……….This illustrates that the Chinese feel the ability to project power overseas and control the sea lanes is a worth while future investment.

The Chinese have clearly stated that they want the capabilities of a superpower, and all that entails. This even includes landing a man/woman on the Moon. Some things cannot be leapfrogged, but that is just the price of admission to the superpower club.

[DogOnPorch]

This even includes landing a man/woman on the Moon.

Nothing about getting 'em back.

China: They preferred to stay.

[Guest Derek L]

The Chinese have clearly stated that they want the capabilities of a superpower, and all that entails. This even includes landing a man/woman on the Moon. Some things cannot be leapfrogged, but that is just the price of admission to the superpower club.

Indeed, but:

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

~Lao-tzu

The Chinese will undergo a learning curve for sure, but it won’t be as steep as the one traveled by the USN and Royal Navy……….Their starting point is about that of Midway post SCB-110, and rest assured, the next two carriers (that they’ve apparently laid down) will build upon lessons learned with this one, and be somewhere between the dirt burners and Enterprise in terms of size…….

I think one has to take this into context, I wouldn’t consider the Chinese a world superpower like the US today or the Soviets and United Kingdom before, but one as regional Super Power, in a region that will be very economically important through this century………What will be interesting is if an invite is given (and accepted) to the Chinese for RIMPAC 2014.……..

[bush_cheney2004]

...I think one has to take this into context, I wouldn’t consider the Chinese a world superpower like the US today or the Soviets and United Kingdom before, but one as regional Super Power, in a region that will be very economically important through this century………

Regional wannabe isn't good enough, as tiny Taiwan continues to thumb its nose at China. China will have to copy more than American economic and military means....it will have to copy the American will to act. Then things will get very interesting.

[Guest Derek L]

Regional wannabe isn't good enough, as tiny Taiwan continues to thumb its nose at China. China will have to copy more than American economic and military means....it will have to copy the American will to act. Then things will get very interesting.

China doesn’t need a carrier to launch air strikes against Taiwan………..But I agree, the American and Chinese psyche is night and day……

Do the Chinese have another Zheng He amongst their billion plus population? Who’s to say………

[bush_cheney2004]

...Do the Chinese have another Zheng He amongst their billion plus population? Who’s to say………

A Chinese billion will be of little value over/on/under blue water. Japan proved that.

[Guest Derek L]

A Chinese billion will be of little value over/on/under blue water. Japan proved that.

Ahh, but would that be the case with say the Indians?

[bush_cheney2004]

Ahh, but would that be the case with say the Indians?

Same book...different chapter. Both these nations lost valuable time in the Soviet sphere of influence, only now catching up with domestic capabilities. They even fought each other with regularity. The American / Japanese / Aussie pivot is on and we will have to see how these newbies meet the challenge. India may fall in to counterbalance China.

[Guest Derek L]

Same book...different chapter. Both these nations lost valuable time in the Soviet sphere of influence, only now catching up with domestic capabilities. They even fought each other with regularity. The American / Japanese / Aussie pivot is on and we will have to see how these newbies meet the challenge. India may fall in to counterbalance China.

Exactly my point………..The region is going to be a key focal point in the 21st century………With my original sidebar being that “conventional naval forces” will be very relevant in this century.

[bush_cheney2004]

Exactly my point………..The region is going to be a key focal point in the 21st century………With my original sidebar being that “conventional naval forces” will be very relevant in this century.

Good...I want to see more blue water exercises. Playing small ball in the littorals is not what sells tickets.