By John Galt
July 27, 2011
Perhaps the Chinese Communist Party has dusted off some of their old news writers for this story out of the state controlled media this morning where the claim has been made that the aircraft carrier they purchased from the Ukraine which is readying for sea trials is being set up for “scientific research.” That reminds me of some of the old time stories you would hear on shortwave via Radio Tirana, Radio Moscow World Service, and currently on Radio Habana Cuba as they attempt to explain things like mass slaughters of civilians as “disease outbreaks” and other such nonsense.
If anyone thinks this carrier is being refitted for scientific research then they are the same kind of moron that believes that Democrats and Republicans are fiscally responsible. The nation of Taiwan is taking the threat of this addition to the People’s Navy of a ChiCom aircraft carrier by realigning their coastal and naval defenses to focus on anti-ship missiles and programs to sink this threat should hostilities occur. Perhaps the United States should considering selling some of our older diesel subs to Taiwan for “scientific research” but that would require getting permission from our Central Bankers in Beijing first.
Here is the story from this morning’s Shanghai Daily:
China refitting aircraft carrier body for research, training
(XINHUA) July 27, 2011
CHINA’S Defense Ministry said today that the country is making use of an imported aircraft carrier body for refitting to be used for scientific research, experiment and training.
Geng Yansheng, spokesman of the ministry, made the remarks at a regular press conference. It was the first time for China to officially confirm it is in pursuit of an aircraft carrier program.
“The warship has no problem with sailing since it has been docked in the sea, and the time for its maiden experimental voyage depends on the schedule of the refit,” said Senior Colonel Geng.
“As an important part of the whole research and training program, training for carrier-borne aircraft pilots is also in progress,” he said.
The spokesman said that the pursuit of an aircraft carrier program would not change Chinese navy’s strategy of inshore defense.
The vessel was an empty aircraft carrier shell bought from Ukraine which disarmed it and removed its engines.
The carrier’s original builder, the Soviet Union, named the warship Varyag yet failed to complete its construction before it collapsed in 1989.
I see Baghdad Bob has found a new job.