Naval War College Review. Volume 65, Number 1, Winter 2012
Abstract
In what must certainly count as the most newsworthy naval development of 2011, the People's Republic of China obtained its first aircraft carrier. The as yet unnamed vessel-previously Varyag of the Ukrainian navy (and originally the Soviet navy)-which began sea trials in the Yellow Sea last August, clearly represents an important milestone in the ongoing modernization and expansion of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Less clear is what it tells us about the future trajectory of Chinese sea power. In "Beijing's 'Starter' Carrier and Future Steps: Alternatives and Implications," Andrew S. Erickson, Abraham M. Denmark, and Gabriel Collins explore this question through a detailed analysis of what we know about ex-Varyag, how the Chinese may be intending to employ it, and what implications follow for the PLAN generally, as well as for the United States and its friends and allies in Asia and the Pacific.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA619230
Entities
Organizations
- Naval War College