China lands J-15 Flying Shark Fighter Jet on Liaoning aircraft carrier
The Chinese Fighter Jet is based on an unfinished Sukhoi Su-33 that was bought from Ukraine in 2001. The Shenyang Aircraft Corporation developed the fighter jet further and was equipped with enhanced avionics. Introduction is around 2016 according to Western Experts, but it could be well before. The very fast development of the Chinese defense and especially air defense pipeline is surprising Western Experts. Two Stealth Fighters, The J-20 and J-31 have had their maiden flight within less than two years. The J-31 is believed to be an Aircraft Carrier jet also. The region is afraid about the growing muscle of the Chinese air and sea defense. Sea row with Japan showed that China is willing to defend its interests aggressively. BBC defense correspondent says "significant moment" Jonathan Marcus, BBC defense correspondent describes the carrier landing as follows:"The images of the carrier Liaoning recovering a J-15 jet fighter using the traditional arrestor hook and cables to bring the aircraft to a rapid halt, mark a significant moment: China's public arrival as an operator of carrier-borne air power. Nonetheless the Chinese Navy still has much to do before it can be seen as having a truly operational carrier capability. Considerably more training will be needed to create a cadre of air-crew and technicians to keep its carrier-borne jets flying in a variety of sea conditions. China will also have to create the operational practices and procedures, not just to establish a carrier air-wing made up of a variety of specialised aircraft but it will also have to develop the ability to operate its carrier alongside other vessels in a dedicated battle group. The Liaoning is thus largely a training carrier but a significant pointer as to the direction China's sea-power is heading."
Liaoning Aircraft Carrier in comparison
Varyag aircraft carrier in Istanbul
China to build up huge naval fleet
In 2013, China plans to launch it's first domestically built aircraft carrier: It is planned to be commissioned in 2015. According to CNA, China will build a superb first-class Navy over 20 or 30 years. 3 aircraft carrier are planned within 10 years. Afterwards China will start to build at least 2 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The Varyag/Liaoing is a diesel-powered aircraft carrier. Further Articles and Ressources- Fifth generation fighter jets: A Chinese, Russian and US arms race
- Shenyang J-31 “Gyrfalcon” – Second Chinese Stealth Fighter made its maiden flight
- Will UAVs displace fighter jets soon?
Related Questions
What is the Chinese J-15 fighter jet?
The Shenyang J-15 "Flying Shark" is China's carrier-based fighter jet. It is derived from an unfinished Sukhoi Su-33 prototype that China obtained from Ukraine in 2001, then developed further by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation with new avionics. It is designed to operate from China's aircraft carriers, taking off and landing on their decks.
What is the Liaoning aircraft carrier?
The Liaoning is China's first aircraft carrier. It began life as the Soviet vessel Varyag, was bought incomplete from Ukraine, towed to China in 2001 and rebuilt for the Chinese Navy after earlier rumours it would become a casino. Diesel-powered and about 304.5 metres long, it serves largely as a training carrier and can embark around 50 aircraft.
How does the Liaoning compare to American aircraft carriers?
The Liaoning, at about 304.5 metres, is smaller than the roughly 330-metre US Nimitz-class supercarriers but larger than France's Charles de Gaulle and the UK's Invincible class. It carries around 50 aircraft plus helicopters. The United States remains far ahead in carrier numbers, reflecting decades more experience in naval aviation.
Why is the J-15 based on the Russian Su-33?
China acquired an incomplete Su-33 prototype from Ukraine in 2001 rather than buying the design from Russia. The Su-33 was itself a navalised Su-27 Flanker built for carrier operations, with features like folding wings. Shenyang used it as the starting point for the J-15, then fitted Chinese avionics and systems to suit the Liaoning.
What stealth fighters has China developed?
China has developed two main stealth fighters that first flew in the early 2010s: the larger J-20 and the smaller J-31 (later FC-31), the latter widely seen as a possible carrier aircraft. Their rapid arrival surprised many Western analysts. China has since pushed further into advanced designs, including tailless next-generation prototypes.
Why did China's rapid jet development surprise the West?
Western analysts were struck by how quickly China fielded advanced aircraft, with two stealth fighter prototypes flying within roughly two years and a working carrier-borne jet soon after. The pace suggested a maturing aerospace industry catching up faster than expected, a trend that has continued with China's growing fighter exports.
How big is China's aircraft carrier ambition?
China set out to build a major blue-water navy over the following decades, including several aircraft carriers and eventually nuclear-powered ones. The Liaoning, a rebuilt Soviet hull, served as the stepping stone, letting China learn carrier operations — launching and recovering jets, and running a battle group — before fielding domestically built carriers.
Actually India has two active aircraft carriers. INS Vikramaditya(Former Admiral Gorshkov) and INS Viraat
Looks like another arms race in the making… wonder if this is a prelude to another set of wars that will set us back… endless suffering .
Barcelona City and Beach appartments are available on our website: