China plans to build aircraft carrier

Moscow, July 6 (UNI) China is close to beginning construction of its first aircraft carrier to expand the operational and strategic capabilities of the people's liberation army navy (plan), the Ria Novosti news agency said quoting the chinese media reports.

Several companies had received contracts for the development of systems and components for the future aircraft carrier, the reports said, adding that a shipbuilding company based in shanghai could be chosen as the main contractor for the project.

So far,the Chinese shipyards have been only building fast-attack missile patrol boats, dock landing ships, frigates and destroyers, many with stealthy, high-tech features resembling its western counterparts.

Although Beijing has consistently denied these reports that China could build its first aircraft carrier as early as 2010, Chinese officials said in march that China was conducting research work in this area.

Alexander Denisov, the head of Russia's weapons procurement agency, said last year at Airshow China 2006 that such assistance would not violate international norms in the light of the EU embargo on exports of military equipment to China, after the famous repression of student demonstrations in the Tiananmen Square in 1989.

Regional media attention has recently been focused on the Varyag, an incomplete Russian made carrier which was towed to China in 2002.

The ship, which lacked any electronic equipment and weaponry, was brought by the Chinese at an auction in Ukraine and put in a plan dry-dock in Dalian.

Although the carrier arrived in a dilapidated condition, it was cleaned and painted in 2005, and experts believe the chinese are seriously considering completing the ship.

Russia has provided many of China's new ships and has been continously helping in the development of its own aircraft carrier, including the Sovremenny-class destroyers and Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines, and there are indications that China would continue to rely on Russian naval construction capabilities, Ria Novosti said.

Moreover, Moscow might also provide aircraft for the future chinese carrier. Rosoboronexport, Russia's state arms export monopoly, is reportedly in talks with China over 50 Su-33 naval flanker ship-borne fighters, worth 2.5 billion dollars.

UNI