In the Chinese port of Qingdao, a naval parade was held dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the founding of the naval forces of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA Navy). It was attended by over 30 Chinese ships and 39 aircraft, as well as about 20 foreign warships from more than ten countries of the world and delegations from 60 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, America and the Pacific region. Ships also took part in the celebrations. Russian fleet led by the frigate "Admiral Soviet Union Gorshkov".
How was the formation of the fleet
- To end civil war in China (1927–1950; between supporters of the Communist Party of China, the CCP, and the Kuomintang Party), the PLA did not have a fleet, because fighting fought mainly for control over the continental part of the country. Absence powerful fleet in 1950 did not allow the PLA to take control of about. Taiwan, where the Kuomintang government was evacuated (China limited itself to Hainan Island, where army units landed on junks).
- The founding date of the PLA Navy is April 23, 1949, on this day several ships of the Navy of the Republic of China (the government of the Kuomintang party) crossed over to the side of the CPC. In November of the same year, the Naval Academy was established in Dalian (with teachers from the USSR). According to historians, in the mid-1950s, there were about 2,500 Soviet military specialists in China who assisted the country in building a modern fleet.
- As a separate branch of the armed forces, the Navy was established in September 1950, when a separate command was created under the General Staff of the PLA.
- The first combat use of the Chinese Navy was the participation of several ships in the suppression of riots in the city of Wuhan in 1967 during the "cultural revolution" (1966-1976). Subsequently, the Chinese fleet won victories in clashes with Vietnamese ships in the region of the disputed islands in the South China Sea (in 1974 near the Paracel Islands and in 1988 near the Spratly Islands).
- By 1970, China already had modern fleet. In 1974, China commissioned the first nuclear submarine (NPS, Project 091 Han), and in 1982, for the first time, it successfully launched a ballistic missile from a submarine.
In 2002, a squadron of the Chinese Navy completed the first circumnavigation of the world in the history of the Chinese Navy.
In 2012, a course was proclaimed for China to become a strong maritime power. The 2015 White Paper of the Chinese government emphasizes the need to move from the protection of exclusively coastal areas to the integrated security of both coastal areas and the high seas.
At present, the military strategy of the PRC singles out the maritime direction of the development of the armed forces as one of the four key ones (along with space, cyberspace and the nuclear sphere).
What is the fleet
- Organizationally, the PLA Navy is divided into three fleets: Northern(area of action - the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Bay), Oriental(East China Sea including Taiwan Strait) and Southern(South China Sea). The headquarters of the fleets are located respectively in the cities of Qingdao, Ningbo and Zhanjiang.
- At the beginning of 2016, three fleets were included in the commands of the same name, which were created during military reform.
- Commander of the PLA Navy - Vice Admiral Shen Jinlong.
- The PLA Navy includes submarine and surface forces, naval aviation, forces coastal defense and the marines. population personnel- near 324 thousand The PLA Navy ranks first in the world in terms of the number of diesel submarines, frigates, missile and patrol boats, landing ships (but inferior to the US Navy in terms of total tonnage and landing ship capacity).
submarine fleet
According to The Military Balance (International Institute for Strategic Studies, IISS), in 2018, the PRC had 62 submarines, equal in number to the Russian submarine fleet and second only to the American one (68 submarines). The maritime component of China's nuclear deterrent forces are four project 094 nuclear submarine missile carriers "Jin"(commissioned 2006–2015), each with 12 ballistic missiles JL-2 and anti-ship missiles. Two nuclear submarines of the project are being completed 094B, each of which will carry 16 JL-2 missiles.
To replace obsolete nuclear submarines of project 091 "Han"(three units as part of the Northern Fleet) six new ones were built - project 093 "Shan". The construction of new nuclear submarines of project 095 is underway.
The most modern of the Chinese diesel submarines are 13 submarines of the project "Yuan"(four - type 039A, nine - 039B). The construction of advanced submarines of the project has begun "Qing"(type 032, one is already being tested).
Also in service are 12 Russian-built diesel-electric submarines - projects 877, 636 and 636M ( "Varshavyanka"). In addition, there are 12 Project 039G submarines "Soon" Chinese production.
Project 035 submarines remain combat-ready "Ming"(11 units).
surface ships
- Aircraft carriers
The only one on this moment Chinese aircraft carrier "Liaoning"(in the fleet since 2012) is a former Soviet aircraft-carrying cruiser "Varyag" of project 11436, acquired in 1998 in Ukraine unfinished. The ship can accommodate up to 24 Shenyang J-15 fighters (copied from the Su-27K bought in Ukraine) and up to 17 helicopters (Russian Ka-31 radar patrol, anti-submarine Ka-28 and Chinese transport Z-8).
In April 2017, a second aircraft carrier was launched, similar to "Liaoning"(project 001A). It is expected to be put into operation in 2020.
A third aircraft carrier (type 002) is currently under construction. This is new project. There have been suggestions that the aircraft carrier could be equipped with a nuclear power plant and several steam catapults.
"TASS/Reuters/CCTV"
- destroyers
The PLA Navy, according to Chinese media, operates 28 destroyers(according to The Military Balance, for 2018 - 23; third place after the US Navy and Japan, 64 and 32, respectively):
- four ships Russian projects 956E (two units) and 956EM (two units) delivered to China in the late 1990s and early 2000s;
- three ships of projects 051C and 051B built in the same period;
- ten ships of projects 052, 052B, 052C.
In 2014, the first destroyer of project 052D was accepted into the Chinese fleet. "Kunming"(According to Chinese media, 11 ships have been put into service, another 15 are in varying degrees of readiness).
- Frigates
The most numerous class of surface ships of the PLA Navy (59 units) are frigates. Six of the oldest of them - project 051 type "Luida"(modifications of Soviet projects of the 1950s, built from the early 1970s to the early 1990s).
The PLA Navy also operates 26 Project 053H ships of various modifications (created on the basis of the Soviet patrol ship project 50 "Ermine"). These frigates (except for the most modern modification 053H3) are gradually withdrawn from the Navy, some of them are sold to other countries or transferred to the Coast Guard. Since the mid-2000s, two Project 054 frigates and 25 Project 054A frigates have been built to replace them. The installations for the vertical launch of anti-aircraft guided missiles on Project 054A frigates were created on the basis of the Russian anti-aircraft missile system "Shtil".
- Corvettes, boats and minesweepers
In 2012, China began construction of project corvettes 056 . At present, 37 ships of this type have already been commissioned, of which 16 are anti-submarine 056A. It is planned that the total number of such ships will be at least 50 units.
The PLA Navy ranks first in the world in terms of the number of combat boats (more than 200). There are about 100 missile boats (projects 022, 037-II, 037-IG) and about the same number of patrol boats (projects 037-I, 037, 062-I).
Mine-sweeping forces are represented by the only mine layer of the project 918 Volley and 42 project minesweepers 081, 082 and 082A.
- Landing ships
Includes four Project 071 type amphibious assault helicopter carriers "Qinchenshan", 30 large landing ships of project 072 of four modifications, 11 medium landing ships of project 073, about 60 small landing ships (projects 074A, 074, 079-II), as well as eight landing ships of type 726 (including two units of the Zubr type, built in Ukraine) and 12 type 724 hovercraft.
Naval aviation
Organizationally, it consists of six air divisions, two in each of the fleets. According to The Military Balance, the Naval Aviation of the Navy is armed with 374 air force units (the second in the world in this indicator after the American), among them:
- 27 bombers "Xi'an" H-6G(own modification of the Soviet Tu-16);
- 120 fighters "Xi'an"JH7 and JH-7A.
Fighters are represented by 24 sides Su-30MK2 Russian-made and copies of the Su-27SK - 72 sides "Shenyang"J-11V and J-11 BS. At least 20 carrier-based fighters are also in service. "Shenyang"J-15 .
In addition, naval aviation has 23 multi-role fighters. "Chengdu"J-10 and 24 units "Shenyang"J-8 . Production J-11 and J-10 continues, their number will increase.
Anti-submarine aviation is represented by three amphibious aircraft of our own production SH-5 and 28 helicopters (14 Russian Ka-28, 14 Chinese "Harbin"Z-9 C based on French AS365 ).
The PLA Navy also has about 30 multipurpose aircraft. Y-8 . Of these, seven boards are used in the version of electronic intelligence aircraft, four - as early warning aircraft (AWACS) Y-8 J. Also has 36 transport aircraft Y-7 and more than 100 training aircraft.
The PLA naval aviation also includes at least ten AWACS helicopters (nine units Ka-31 and at least one type "Changhe"Z-18 ), 38 transport helicopters (eight Russian Mi-8, 22 Chinese Z-8 created on the basis of the French SA-321; eight proper SA-321 ).
Marines
The Marine Corps of the Chinese Navy consists of three brigades. In particular, Chinese marines are on garrison duty in the Paracel Islands, disputed with Vietnam, in the South China Sea.
Armed with brigades marines consist of:
- 73 light tanks ZTD-05 and 152 infantry fighting vehicles ZBD-05;
- 60 type armored vehicles ZBL-08 and 30 - type ZTL-11 .
Self-propelled artillery has more than 20 self-propelled guns "Type-07" caliber 120 mm and more than 20 obsolete self-propelled guns "Type-89". The PLA Marine Corps also has multiple launch rocket systems. "Type-63", anti-tank missile systems HJ-73 and HJ-8 , man-portable air defense systems HN-5 and 82 mm mortars.
Material prepared according to "TASS-Dossier"
Z and during the construction of the Liaoning aircraft carrier and the formation of the first combat-ready AUG, shipbuilders and the command of the Chinese Navy received sufficient technological and operational experience. Further developments show that aircraft carriers can become the leading strike force of the PLA in the oceans.
Aircraft carrier "Shandong"
In 2012, it became clear to Chinese shipbuilders that they would be able to build a ship of the same type on their own, and in August 2013 metal cutting began for the hull of the second aircraft carrier, which received the name "Shandong" and tail number 17. In November 2013, Chinese specialists began assembling large sections in a closed shop, and in March 2015, the assembly of the hull began in dry dock. The corps was fully formed by October 27, 2016.
At the same time, work was underway on the design of the main mast of the ship, which they decided to borrow from destroyers of project 052D. In November 2016, the installation of the main onboard equipment was completed, which made it possible to carry out preparations for launching during the period from 11 to 17 March 2017. The ship was launched on April 23, 2017. Three days later, the flag of the PLA Navy was officially raised on the aircraft carrier.
For the first time, Shandong's power plants were launched in test mode on July 10, 2017; in September, the ship independently completed the departure from the quay wall and moored with the help of tugboats.
The aircraft carrier "Shandong" leaves the dry dock to the outfitting wall
According to Chinese sources, between April 16 and April 20, 2018, the Shandong acceptance and delivery team prepared the ship for the first sea trial. The check took place in a given square of the Yellow Sea from April 20 to April 27, 2018. In fact, the ship first went to sea on April 23, 2018. It is known that the Zhi-18F PLO helicopter landed on the deck of the ship as part of the first exit to the sea.
At present, the Shandong is sent to the first inter-fleet passage and is heading to the South China Sea. During the transition, the crew will conduct tests power plant– the ship will periodically develop the maximum possible speed and maintain it for at least six hours. In addition, carrier-based pilots will perform a series of takeoffs and landings from the deck. Check the functionality of the flight control system (FMS) of the ship, the braking system and other components - aircraft elevators, fueling system, fume shields, etc.
The main areas for testing aircraft-carrying ships of the PLA Navy built in Dalian
Design features
According to Chinese and foreign experts, the main change made to the design of the aircraft carrier is the shape and size deck superstructure ship. Compared to the Liaoning project, it has been reduced by 10-15%, which made it possible to allocate two additional seats for carrier-based fighters.
Chinese specialists redesigned the interior of the superstructure. They divided the navigation bridge into upper and lower sections, which had a positive effect on the deployment of the air operations control group.
Projections of the aircraft carrier "Shandong" External differences should also include the placement of the new air surveillance radar H / LJG-346A (S-band). The stations were borrowed from destroyers of project 052D. In addition, Chinese experts have made some changes to the layout of the aft flight deck, which increased its usable area.
According to Chinese sources, compared to the Liaoning, the designers managed to increase the capacity of the aircraft hangar and the capacity of tanks for aviation fuel by 25%.
The cost of building "Shandong" is estimated at 50 billion yuan. At the same time, the cost of on-board radio-electronic equipment reaches 10 billion yuan. For comparison: the total cost of a carrier-based air group consisting of 28 Jian-15 fighters and 16 helicopters will be 20 billion yuan.
Aircraft carriers are the basis of future AUGs
At present, the third and, probably, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier for the PLA Navy has been laid down at the Jiangnan Changxing shipbuilding enterprise in Shanghai.
According to observers of Chinese specialized military-technical publications, if shipbuilding enterprises continue to build one aircraft carrier every five to six years, then since the third was laid down in 2018, the fourth and fifth aircraft carriers will be laid down in 2024 and 2030, respectively. , the construction of the sixth ship will begin in 2036.
However, there is a second point of view. According to it, Chinese shipbuilding enterprises will carry out a program to create six aircraft carrier strike groups (AUG) on the basis that the construction of the fourth, fifth and sixth aircraft carriers will begin in 2024, 2027 and 2030. respectively. Thus, the extreme AUG will reach full combat readiness no later than 2035.
The third and fourth aircraft carriers with a total displacement of about 80 thousand tons will receive a direct take-off deck with two or three electromagnetic catapults (EMC). At the same time, it is not yet possible to establish the type of power plant. According to US intelligence agencies, the total displacement of the fifth and sixth ships can reach 110,000 tons.
Aircraft carriers fully operational
It should be noted that the process of obtaining the status of "full combat readiness" is calculated from a period of 41 months, which consists of the following stages:
- verification of all elements and capabilities of an aircraft carrier in specified sea areas - 21 months;
- carrying out control inter-fleet campaigns - 2 months;
- coordinating the composition of the carrier-based air group in the divisional training center and in the process of hiking - 10 months;
- training and control activities of the aircraft carrier crew - 5 months;
- coordinating the actions of the aircraft carrier crew with the crews of other AUG ships - 3 months;
- participation in interspecies exercises - 1 month.
Organization of training and control activities for combat training of the PLA Navy AUG in April 2018
| Training event period | Marine training area (MUR) coordinates | Tasks | Note |
| 05.04.2018 – 11.04.2018 | 19°16.5′ — 110°38.5′ 19°13.0′ — 110°53.5′ 18°55.0′ — 110°48.5′ 19°00.5′ — 110°31.5′ (Coast of Hainan Province) |
Checking the coherence of the actions of the crews of the AUG ships and the carrier-based air group by: - repelling massive air and missile attacks from different directions; - detection and "destruction" of potential enemy submarines; – defense of a strategic facility on land; - cover for amphibious assault |
MUR opened for the first time |
| 11.04.2018 – 13.04.2018 | 18°15.30′ — 109°49.72′ 18°15.30′ — 110°09.10′ 17°37.0′ — 110°09.10′ 17°37.0′ — 108°55.92′ 18°13.00′ — 108°55.92′ 18°13.00′ — 109°24.73′ 18°11.30′ — 109°28.80′ (Coast of Fujian Province) |
Combat firing of carrier-based aircraft and ships AUG and KPUG of the PLA Navy Demonstration of the ship composition of the AUG and KPUG and the amphibious assault groups of the PLA Navy to the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping |
MUR has been reopened since 1996. |
| 18.04.2018 – 23.04.2018 | 24°52.9′ — 118°50.0′ 24°52.9′ — 118°55.9′ 24°42.6′ — 118°55.9′ 24°42.6′ — 118°55.0′ (Marine area of Huanyangdao in Zhoushan area) |
MUR is occasionally used to test ship weapons | |
| 24.04.2018 – 25.04.2018 |
30°08.47′ — 122°32.94′ 30°04.13′ — 122°31.16′ 30°04.08′ — 122°39.94′ 30°00.69′ — 122°35.88′ |
Combat firing of carrier-based aircraft and ships AUG and KPUG of the PLA Navy | In the indicated MUR, training and control activities of combat training are systematically held |
Joint exercises of the Navy and the Chinese Air Force
According to Chinese sources, from April 5 to April 11, 2018, the largest inter-service exercises of the PLA Navy and Air Force took place. The event was attended by 78 aircraft both coastal and naval aviation (MA). The following types of aircraft are known to be involved:
- 10 fighter-bombers of the PLA Navy MA "Jianhong-7";
- 4 fighter aircraft of the PLA Navy "Jian-10AN";
- 8 PLA Air Force fighters "Jian-11VN";
- 8 fighter aircraft of the Navy of the PLA "Su-30MK2";
- 9 carrier-based fighters "Jian-15" (AUG "Liaoning");
- 6 strategic bombers of the PLA Air Force "Hun-6M";
- 3 tanker aircraft of the PLA Air Force "Hunyou-6";
- 3 tanker aircraft of the PLA Air Force "Il-78";
- 2 long-range radar patrol and guidance aircraft (DRDiN) "Kunjing-200" and one "Kunjing-500";
- 3 aircraft PLO MA Navy PLA "Gaoxin-6".
Scenario and tasks
Jianhong-7 fighter-bombers, operating under the cover of Jian-10AN light fighters, simulated raids on the PLA Navy's AUG and launches of anti-ship missiles (ASMs). Heavier Jian-11VN fighters provided cover for the Hong-6M strategic bombers, which mimicked the US Air Force's B-1B "Fencer" supersonic bombers.
It should be noted that if the "Jianhong-7" raided from about. Hainan, the "Hun-6M" carried out the approach to the target from the most "plausible direction" - from the air areas over the waters of the South China Sea.
The refueling of the bombers was provided by Huneu-6 tanker aircraft. The Jian-11VN and Jian-10AN fighters, if necessary, received fuel from three Il-78s that were redeployed from the Central Military District. Su-30MK2 MA fighters of the PLA Navy were used to practice air combat training at medium and short distances.
The DRDiN aircraft were used in the interests of practicing actions during the defense of the AUG in the near sea area, while the Kaoxin-6 PLO aircraft searched for submarines of a potential enemy. Enemy actions were alternately simulated by three nuclear submarines (one project 094 and two project 093V) and three diesel-electric submarines of project 039 in modifications A, B and G.
Training of personnel of aircraft carriers
Training of aircraft carrier crews is organized on two support vessels educational process(SOUP) with tail numbers 88 and 89. The ships were built at the shipyards of Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Limited (formerly the 433rd shipyard of the PLA Navy), which is part of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation.
The following performance characteristics of the educational process support vessels are known: length - 219 m, width - 28 m, draft - 8 m, total displacement - 23,200 tons.
The SOUP uses two diesel engines as a power plant, which transmit torque to two shafts with constant pitch propellers. Max Speed vessel 17 knots (according to other sources - 20), cruising range with an economical course of 8 thousand miles.
Classes for the aircraft carrier's crew are equipped on board, and flight simulators are installed for carrier-based pilots. During the training trip, the vessel can accommodate 2.5 thousand military personnel. Stocks of food and fuel are sufficient for a voyage of 21 days.
Tasks and prospects for the actions of the carrier-based aviation group (PAG) of the PLA Navy
The commander of the aircraft carrier "Liaoning" receives an order to go to sea only from the Commander of the PLA Navy. This is fully in line with the guiding principle " The main leadership of the Central Military Council, The main military operations at sea, The construction of the branch of the armed forces as the main”, formulated by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
To date, Chinese strategists are defining the following tasks for the carrier-based aviation group of the PLA Navy:
- Interaction with aviation units / formations of the PLA Air Force in the Taiwan Strait.
- Patrolling and intercepting intruder aircraft over the South China Sea.
- Ensuring the safety of navigation in the Indian Ocean.
- Demonstration of a military presence off the coast of the states of the Middle East and Africa, protection of national interests and investments, cover for amphibious assault operations.
If it is necessary to perform any of these tasks in the next five years, the aircraft carrier commander must be aware that his PAG is not full-fledged, since the military-industrial complex of the PRC has not yet begun serial production of EW and DRDiN aircraft (). In this regard, let us single out the possible stages in the evolution of the tactics of the actions of the PAG Navy of the PLA.
Evolution of tactics of carrier-based aviation groups
Stage one (5–10 years)
It is likely that by 2020-2022. The first carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft "Jian-15D" will enter service with the PLA Navy. Then each PAG will have two standby pairs of Jian-15 fighters and a standby pair of Jian-15D electronic warfare aircraft. Such a total number of aircraft on duty is due to the size of the deck of the Liaoning and the possibilities for the safe placement and launch of aircraft.
As the most optimal procedure for placing aircraft in the hangar and the procedure for the actions of the deck crew and pilots (probably by 2025) is worked out, it is possible to increase the duty forces of fighters to 10 units, and EW aircraft to 4–6 units.
As necessary, the deck crew will begin to prepare refueling aircraft with suspended refueling units. At the same time, enterprises of the Chinese defense industry will actively work on the preparation of stealth carrier-based fighters, reconnaissance and strike UAVs, as well as refueling drones. The latter will provide an increase in the combat radius for manned aircraft.
Stage two (10–15 years).
By 2030, six fighters on duty will be permanently deployed on the deck of an aircraft carrier. However, in the first "wave" the deck crew will ensure the departure of 16 combat vehicles of two types - "Jian-20N" and "Jian-15G".
Stage three (15–20 years old)
By 2035, the PAG will include two types of UAVs - a reconnaissance and an air tanker. The devices of the first type perform advanced reconnaissance and surveillance. UAVs of the second type are located in the air defense zone of AUG ships and provide refueling of manned fighters.
Based on 16 fighters, there should be at least 4 unmanned tankers in the air. Reconnaissance UAVs provide detection of surface targets and guidance of anti-ship missiles on them, which are armed with manned fighters.
Stage four (20–25 years old)
By 2040, reconnaissance-strike UAVs, unmanned tankers, and from manned aircraft only carrier-based aircraft of the DRDiN will remain in the PAG.
The ratio of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles lifted in the first echelon, taking into account the simultaneous operation of two aircraft carriers at different stages
| Aircraft Type/Stage | First | Second | The third | Fourth |
| Fighter "Jian-15" | 20 | 30 | 20 | — |
| EW aircraft | 4 | 4 | — | — |
| Aircraft DRDiN | — | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Helicopter DRDiN | 4 | — | — | — |
| Stealth fighter "Jian-20n" | — | 10 | 15 | — |
| Reconnaissance UAV | — | — | 6 | — |
| aerial refueling UAV | The process of evolution of the PAG of the PLA Navy, taking into account the adoption of two new nuclear aircraft carriers with catapults until 2035
The Asia-Pacific region is recognized by many experts as one of the most important in the coming decades. Here are important transport routes, and dynamically developing countries with ever-increasing ambitions, and the most powerful fleets. No one today doubts that the fleet is the most promising way to project force anywhere on the Earth, and China is paying more and more attention to its development, since the Chinese Navy must compete with the American one. This is due to a radical change in the strategy of the People's Republic of China.
International experience and cooperation
There is a popular belief that China's behavior is traditionally not expansionist, and it has no intention of resolving disputes by military means. However, this does not mean that the PRC authorities do not realize the full importance of the development of the Armed Forces. The Chinese Navy today represents a large and dynamically developing branch of the armed forces, which is receiving increasing attention, and its importance is only increasing as the risks of shipping in the oceans increase.
Chinese culture, however, is famous for its ability to learn from the experience of others, making the most of it. In the case of an ambitious plan to build a fleet that could compete with the United States, international cooperation comes to the rescue.
However, in the matter of building a powerful fleet, one cannot do without aircraft-carrying cruisers, which the People's Republic did not have until recently. In order to correct this situation, it was necessary to turn to the help of Ukraine, from which the Varyag aircraft carrier was bought, later renamed Liaoning.
Technology and money
The Chinese authorities are used to the fact that they can buy almost everything they need on the world market, unscrew it and extract the technology they need from there. However, this method works only up to a certain limit, beyond which difficulties begin, which can hardly be eliminated thanks to ordinary espionage.
After all, it is not enough to get a ready-made aircraft carrier, you also need to clearly understand how it will function, provide it with the necessary supply and repair base. And technological development requires not only huge financial injections, but also a significant intellectual tradition aimed at solving a specific problem.
Considering the fact that China began to develop its navy so actively relatively recently, it can be assumed that it is still far from superiority over other maritime powers. However, things can really reach numerical parity. According to official data, which, perhaps, should not be fully trusted, the republic spends about two hundred billion on the Armed Forces, and this figure is likely to grow significantly in the next decade.
At the same time, the number of ships should reach 350 units, among which there will be new aircraft carriers.
Composition of the Chinese Navy
The Chinese fleet consists of 183 ships, numerous naval aviation and 215,000 military personnel who serve all this power. It is worth noting that the United States, the most powerful military power, has 188 ships of various classes. However, it makes no sense to compare only the number, because the Chinese Navy uses its ships differently. And the Celestial Empire is oriented towards other tasks.
From an organizational point of view, the Chinese Navy is divided into three fleets:
- Northern, operating in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Bay.
- Vostochny, whose area of responsibility is the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
- Southern, operating in the South China Sea.
Despite the fact that each of these fleets is important for the country's defense capability, the Southern one is of particular importance, since it is in this region that disputed territories are located, because of which there is constant tension between China and the United States, as well as other regional players, including Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.
At this point, it is worth stopping and describing in more detail how, until recently, China represented the sphere of its interests, and how ideas about it are changing in the modern world.
The destroyers of the Chinese Navy guard the economic zone of the PRC in the South China and Yellow Seas, provide a presence in the Pacific, and more recently in the Indian Ocean.
Battle for the sea. New masters of the Indian Ocean
If the Chinese government plans to really increase its power through navy and the presence of its representatives in the most important regions of the world, then without building naval bases he can't do it.
The fact that the authorities are fully aware of this fact confirms the start of construction of new Chinese naval bases in the Indian Ocean.
It is assumed that with the completion of construction, the Chinese fleet will control the entire ocean, and in addition, have greater political weight in those countries where military bases will be built. Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Seychelles, Pakistan, Oman, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar are among the countries that responded to the proposal of the Chinese authorities for construction.
Thus, the Chinese Navy will have one of the most extensive networks of naval bases that only the United States can compete with.
History of the Chinese Navy
China, whose navy is developing so actively, is causing increasing concern to its neighbors, but probably is not going to change its plans. Remembering past defeats, the country's authorities intend to make the PRC one of the leading powers of our time.
Chinese Navy in the 19th century. presented a depressing sight - outdated wooden boats were equipped with no less outdated artillery. It was this state of the armed forces that led the country to defeat, first in the Opium Wars, then to the overthrow of the monarchy, and then to civil war.
However, already in the middle of the twentieth century, with the help of the USSR, the situation began to improve, and China got modern weapons, but internal upheavals did not create prerequisites for the dynamic development of the fleet.
The situation changed dramatically in the late 1980s, when Liu Huaqing took over the fleet. Under his leadership, China's navy, which had been greatly expanded a decade ago, focused on quality improvement and technological developments that were designed to enhance the country's combat power and increase its representation on the world stage.
as a priority technological development the direction of rocket science was chosen. New types of missiles were developed, which were supposed to strengthen not only the destroyers of the Chinese Navy, but also the aviation of the fleet.
However, despite significant progress in shipbuilding, China still adhered to the strategy of a regional player, extremely rarely withdrawing the fleet to remote water areas. The situation began to change in the 21st century, when a new generation of politicians came to power with an expansionist mindset.
Challenge to the global community
Since the PRC began to actively increase military funding, many experts in international politics have justified fears that the country's authorities will sooner or later want to challenge the existing system of distribution of forces not only in the region, but also in the world.
However, the main driver of significant changes that have occurred with the Chinese fleet is not politics at all, but economics. Most of the energy resources and other raw materials China receives as imports from other countries. Most cargo transportation is carried out by sea, as this is the cheapest way, which is quite often unsafe in those regions through which the most important maritime communications for the PRC pass.
Piracy and territorial disputes very often threaten maritime transport, and it is to ensure the safety of navigation in the Indian Ocean that China is building more and more new bases on its shores.
Buying Technology
China has vast experience in technological cooperation with other countries. During the civil war, the Armed Forces of this country received significant technical and informational support from the Soviet Union.
The most significant gift from the Soviet government was the atomic bomb, which brought China into the club of the most powerful powers on the planet. However, even after the collapse of the USSR, cooperation continued, but on a more mutually beneficial basis. China began to buy ready-made weapons and licenses for their production from Russia. In addition, the PRC gained access to Soviet technology through the purchase of weapons from some post-Soviet countries.
In the 21st century, obvious advantages were found in the form of cooperation in which joint ventures are created with the participation of Chinese capital and Russian technologies. According to this scheme, fighters are produced and developed in China and India.
However, cooperation between the Russian Federation and China is not limited to aircraft construction and the production of aircraft engines. Since 1990, Russia has been supplying the PRC with various submarines, the cost of which in 2002 exceeded one and a half billion dollars.
In addition to submarines, the flag of the Chinese Navy flew over two Russian destroyers handed over to Chinese partners in 1999-2000. In all cases, decisive Russian side were economic interests, while China was guided by the interests of technological and military development. However, the situation changed markedly after the publication in 2017 of a document regulating the development of the Russian Navy until 2030.
Competition for the ocean
As it has already become clear, not only China is striving for dominance in the sea, but also other countries. The President of Russia ordered the Russian Navy to catch up and overtake China in terms of fleet tonnage, that is, to take second place after the United States, with which competition is almost impossible.
Thus, the main struggle will unfold for regional leadership, since the projection of force over considerable distances requires the presence of powerful aircraft carrier groups, including both modern aircraft carriers and support ships, as well as aviation that meets the requirements for modern combat vehicles.
Although China recently acquired its first aircraft-carrying cruiser, it still lags far behind in terms of technology and avionics. For example, after reconstruction, the Liaoning still uses numerous outdated installations, among which there is one of the most important - a catapult that accelerates aircraft to the required speed during takeoff.
Since the Liaoning is just a slightly updated Soviet aircraft carrier, the technologies used on it are appropriate. Obviously, in such a short period of time, Chinese engineers failed to make a technological breakthrough, since the main forces went to get used to the technical legacy of the USSR.
It is known that Chinese diplomats and the military for a long time tried to buy the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft-carrying cruiser from the Russian Navy, however, for political reasons, Russia refused this deal, preferring Indian partners, who received this ship formally for free, but with the obligation to pay Russian enterprises for modernization and construction of port infrastructure.
This case indicates that the issue of technology ownership in modern conditions is the most important and surpasses mere ownership in importance. military equipment. After all, both China and India competed not so much for the ownership of the ship's hull, which they could build themselves, but also for modern high-tech equipment. In addition to this, the invaluable experience possessed by Russian shipbuilders also matters in such matters.
There are also problems with guidance systems for ship-based missiles, launches of which are by no means always successful. However, such difficulties can be attributed to technical problems and the novelty of developments that have not yet passed all the stages of testing. Comparing the Russian and Chinese navies in the context of the excessively closed Chinese military budget seems difficult, but repeated joint exercises and a generally not too aggressive situation allow us to hope that the confrontation between the two fleets will not happen in the near future.
Fleet symbols
Like any other fleet, the Chinese has its own symbols. The flag of the Chinese Navy is a red flag with an aspect ratio of 5:4 and with a red star and hieroglyphs indicating the date 08/01/1927, which is of great importance in the history of the Celestial Navy. The red color of the banner means valor, courage and blood shed by Chinese soldiers in battles with the troops of Chiang Kai-shek.
It is worth noting that April 23 is considered the Day of the Navy in China, it was on this day in 1949 that the fleet of the new state was founded. And then the famous Nanchang uprising took place, which marked the beginning of a long and bloody, but liberation war. The struggle of the Chinese Communists allowed the Chinese Communist Party to establish the power of the Soviets throughout China, excluding the island of Taiwan, which still does not want to obey the central government of the PRC.
Disputed territories
However, the most important task of the updated and noticeably strengthened fleet will be to protect the sovereignty of the PRC and its economic interests in Southeast Asia.
There are several disputed areas in the waters of the PRC, which are claimed by neighboring states, and some of them, by the way, are supported by the United States. The largest and most fundamental subject of disputes are several islands in the South China Sea.
These islands, known as the Spratlys, are located in the southwestern part of the South China Sea. Several states have been claiming them for more than a decade. At one point or another, and with varying intensity, six states have been involved in the dispute: Vietnam, China, Taiwan, the Sultanate of Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
China is trying to prove that Chinese navigators were the first to discover this archipelago. However, there are no scientifically proven facts. Meanwhile, it is reliably known that the first owners of the island were the Spaniards, who opened them to Europeans in 1929.
The islands cause fierce disputes and skirmishes between representatives of the American and Chinese military. While American sailors are trying to defend the right of passage in neutral waters, the Chinese authorities insist on the sovereignty of the waters of the islands.
In its desire to gain a foothold on the islands, the Chinese Navy began to build artificial structures on the reefs and Spratly atolls, which is directly prohibited by international law and provokes aggressive opposition from the Philippines, which is actively patronized by the United States.
Asian countries pay so much attention to the archipelago because of the huge reserves of oil and gas, which, according to geologists, are contained at the bottom of the South China Sea, but for China it is also a matter of prestige and safety of navigation, because in this area from time to time there are attacks by pirates that could interfere with the transit of Chinese goods to Europe and the export of raw materials and fuel to China.
In the near future, we should expect continued friction between American and Chinese politicians, each of which will try to defend the interests of its state, and the outcome of this confrontation is difficult to predict, since each side has many of its own interests, supporters and opponents.
One of the most accessible ways to convey one's position to a partner is the parade of the Chinese Navy, which is regularly held and timed to coincide with various public holidays and the Founding Day of the Chinese Navy. However, internationally significant dates can often serve as an occasion for reviewing troops. For example, in 2017, a Chinese Navy parade was held to mark the end of World War II.
Modern Naval Forces of China- an independent type of armed forces of the state, which is part of the People's Liberation Army of China, headed by the Commander-in-Chief, who is also the Deputy Minister of Defense - Commander-in-Chief of the PLA. The main headquarters of the Navy is located in Beijing.
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Table 1 Combat ship composition of the PLA Navy, 2006 |
|
| Type PL and BNK | units |
| Submarines: | 87 |
| - SSBN project 092 "Xia" | 1 |
| - Nuclear submarine pr. 091 "Han" | 4 |
|
- diesel-electric submarine pr. 039G "Sun" (with YJ-8 SCRC) |
12 |
| - diesel-electric submarine pr. 636EM (with SCRC "Club") | 8 |
| - diesel-electric submarine project 041 "Yuan" | 2 |
| - diesel-electric submarine pr. 039 "Sun" | 1 |
| - diesel-electric submarine pr. 877EKM and pr. 636 | 4 |
| - diesel-electric submarine pr. 035 "Min" | 24 |
| - diesel-electric submarine pr. 033 "Romeo" | 31 |
| Destroyers URO: | 29 |
| - type "Shenyang", pr. 051С | 2 |
| - type "Lanzhou", project 052C | 2 |
|
- type "Modern": pr. 956E and pr. 956EM |
4 |
| - type "Lyuhu", pr. 052 | 2 |
| - type "Lyuhay", pr.051V | 1 |
| - type "Luyda", pr.051 | 16 |
| Frigates URO: | 49 |
| - type "Jiankai" pr. 054 | 2 |
| - type "Jianwei-2", pr. 053H3 | 10 |
| -type "Jianwei", project 053H2G | 4 |
| - type "Jianghu-4", pr. 053NT (N) | 1 |
| - type "Jianghu-3", project 053NT | 3 |
| - type "Jianghu-1/2/5", Project 053H1/2/5 | 29 |
| Missile boats: | 89 |
| - project 022 | 4 |
| - type "Houjian", project 037/2G | 7 |
| - type "Housin", pr. 037/1G | 23 |
| - type "Huangfen", project 021 | 30 |
| - type "Hoku", pr. 024 | 25 |
| Patrol boats: | 234 |
| - type "Hainan", project 037 | 95 |
| - type "Haiju", pr. 037/1 | 22 |
| - type "Heiqi" | 2 |
| - type "Shanghai-3", Project 062/1 | 17 |
| - type "Shanghai-2", project 062 | 98 |
| Mine-sweeping ships: | 48 |
| - minelayer, pr. 918 | 1 |
| - MTSC of a new type | 2 |
| - MTShch type "T-43", pr. 010 | 40 |
| - RTSch type "Vosao", pr. 082 | 5 |
| Landing ships and boats: | 89 |
| - BDK type "Yuytin", pr. 072-II, -III | 18 |
| - BDK type "Yukan", pr. 072 | 7 |
| - KFOR type "Yuyden", project 073-III | 11 |
| - KFOR type "Yuidao", pr. 073-II | 4 |
| - MDK type "Yulin", pr. 079 | 32 |
| - MDK type "Yuhai", project 074 | 10 |
| - Landing TR type "Tsunsha" | 4 |
| - MDK - catamaran | 3 |
The naval doctrine of the PLA Navy began to be developed in the late 1980s. and was officially proclaimed in 1995. It is based on the “Active Defense Strategy”, which provides for the creation of the Navy and the Air Force supporting them, capable of not only repelling aggression from the sea, but also providing for preventive strikes, incl. and on the ocean theater. In doing so, it was stated that:
At the first stage, before the beginning of the 21st century, the creation of groups capable of maintaining a favorable operational regime within the zone limited by the "first chain of islands" - the Ryukyu and Philippine Islands, and in the waters of the Yellow, East China and South China seas;
At the second stage (until 2020), it is planned to strengthen the Navy in such a way that they can carry out operational operations within the "second chain of islands" - the Kuril Islands, about. Hokkaido, Nampo, Mariana, Caroline and about. New Guinea, including the waters of the Japanese and Philippine seas, as well as the seas of the Indonesian archipelago;
At the third stage (until 2050) it is planned to create a powerful fleet capable of solving assigned tasks in any area of the World Ocean.
At the same time, in front of the PRC Navy, already on present stage the task is to ensure the interests of the state at sea associated with the development natural resources ocean and safety of navigation.
Thus, the first stage of the program is focused on protecting the territory of the PRC from strikes from the sea and ensuring the safety of maritime communications and industrial activities related to the development of natural resources in the waters of the Chinese seas.
Meanwhile, a number of events allow us to assume that the main region for the application of the forces of the PLA Navy in the next decade will be the Indo-Ocean direction. So, back in 1994, about 90% of all transportation of export and import cargo (at least 840 million tons) and 27% of China's cargo turnover fell on the sea lanes of the South China Sea and, accordingly, the Indian Ocean.
China's increasing dependence on the state of Indian-Ocean communications is also due to the growing imbalance between the country's energy needs for oil products and domestic production volumes - the deficit must be compensated for by imports, which are projected to be up to 50% of needs by 2005 and 80% in 2010 G.
This assumption is supported by the PRC's implementation of the "Pearl Beads Strategy" - the creation of a line of strategic partners on the coast along sea lanes to the Persian Gulf, which is expressed by:
In the development of naval cooperation with the countries of the Indian Ocean basin - Pakistan, Myanmar and India,
In the conclusion of defense agreements with South Africa and Cambodia,
In the large-scale port construction in Bangladesh (Chittagong port),
In the possible construction of a canal on the Kyra Isthmus (Thailand), which will connect the Andamant and South China Seas, bypassing the Strait of Malacca, the territorial waters of Indonesia and Malaysia.
In general, the construction of the PLA Navy is carried out within the framework of long-term programs based on the implementation of the concept of "protection strategic boundaries and Vital Space," according to which China must have a military capable of winning a war of any length and scale. Among the motives for the activation of naval construction in modern China, a number of important events such as: the US inclusion of the territory of eastern China and its water area into the operational zone of the US Pacific Joint Command, the US withdrawal from the ABM treaty of 1972, the creation of the US missile defense system with the involvement of the navies of Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and Taiwan, the experience of the US and their allies air-sea operations during local conflicts modernity in Southeast Europe, in Central and Southwest Asia, and the presence of the “Taiwan problem”.
Organizational structure of the PLA Navy consists of surface and submarine forces, naval aviation, marines and coastal defense troops and operational formations: the Northern, Eastern, Southern fleets, the Sangar river and Bohai training flotillas and provides for homogeneous operational formations - squadrons (submarines - 6, escort ships - 7 , mine-sweeping ships - 3) and tactical formations - brigades and divisions.
In addition to the three fleets, the PLA Navy is considering the possibility of forming a fourth fleet capable of conducting large-scale operations in the ocean zone, outside the coastal operating zones of the fleets covering the waters adjacent to China - an analogue of Soviet operational squadrons and flotillas.
Let's spend analysis of the modern combat strength and combat potential of the PLA Navy from various perspectives, namely:
Analysis of the structural indicators of the combat composition of the Chinese fleet by forces and units - surface, underwater and air forces, combat surface ships, submarines and aircraft;
Analysis of the geographical projection of the combat potential of the PLA Navy by range zones.
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* The age categories of BNK, PL and LA are defined as: the newest - up to 10 years, modern - 10-15 years, outdated - 16-25 years, old - over 25 years. Taking into account that in the practice of the Chinese fleet, there is a modern construction of CNS, submarines and aircraft according to obsolete projects, the actual assessment of the age category of a particular type of CNS, submarines and aircraft was carried out according to the method of expert assessments, taking into account obsolescence. At the same time, the main qualitative indicator of the age category is the coefficient of novelty - "Knov.", Determined by the formula: The value of the coefficient equal to the value of "0.5" is considered satisfactory - see Comparative assessment of the ship composition of the Indian and Pakistani navies. Rezyapov N., Ivanov Yu. // Marine collection. 6-2000. P.61. |
Age indicator analysis * BNK, submarines and aircraft of the Chinese fleet.
At the same time, the factors of influence of natural and climatic conditions, the organization of military service, the use of a floating rear and forward bases, the technical reliability of weapons and weapons are not taken into account. The calculation materials for the above areas of analysis are included in the appendix.
To summarize the analysis, reflecting the results graphically − see fig. one and 2 .
Thus, the "averaged standard displacement of the ship's composition" is about 1000 tons, and the similar value "according to the crew" is 68 people, which indicates the "coastal orientation" of the Chinese fleet as a whole.
As an example of this, we note that in the structure of the combat ship composition, the quantitative predominance is small BNK - missile and patrol boats, the share of which is 51.9% and which account for 1/5 of the anti-ship missile potential Chinese fleet.
The ships of the sea zone - destroyers and frigates, as well as submarines account for 4.7, 7.9 and 13.8 percent, respectively.
An analysis of the age categories of the Chinese fleet indicates that the combat ship structure of the PLA Navy is only 19.4% provided with ships of new and modern designs.
At the same time, the renewal of the ship composition is carried out with a predominant bias in the construction of ships in the sea and ocean zone. So, out of 121 warships built in the last 10–15 years, landing ships account for 38.0%, submarines - 27.3%, frigates - 13.2% and destroyers - 10.7% of the “new building”.
Meanwhile, hopelessly old are all that negligible number of China's anti-mine ships - 46 units. (95.8%), which makes mine defense not only ineffective, but ephemeral * [ Note that the two new minesweepers passing acceptance in 2006 may be the first ships in the mine defense program of the Chinese fleet.] ... Similar conclusions apply to obsolete and old small NBRs (96.6%)…..
In addition, we note that 18 destroyers (55.2% of ships of this class), 33 frigates (67.3%) and 40 landing ships (46.5%) are obsolete and old ships in the fleet.
As a result, and in general, it is obvious that:
Most of the ship's combat composition is represented by obsolete and old ships, which casts doubt on their combat value;
The imbalance in the modern naval construction of China is the predominant construction of sea and ocean ships, "with oblivion" of the coastal defense forces, which provide "their daily routine" with the actions of sea and ocean ships.
The combat aviation composition of the PLA Navy is mostly represented by aircraft of obsolete and old designs - 82.7%, and in "functional terms": fighter - 43.5% of aircraft (232 fighters), bomber - 22.5% (120 aircraft), and fighter-bomber and assault (19.5% or 104 vehicles) aviation.
The state of the fleet of combat aircraft of the Chinese fleet can be defined as:
Bomber aircraft - all machines of old and obsolete designs;
Fighter aviation by 86.2% (200 aircraft) is also represented by aircraft of old and obsolete designs,
Fighter-bomber aviation, almost half (46.1%) are aircraft of old designs.
“Striking” is the negligibly small composition of the base patrol aircraft - 12 old-design UAV aircraft, which makes the effectiveness of aerial reconnaissance and patrolling very doubtful, without the involvement of reconnaissance aircraft and AWACS of the Chinese Air Force ...
Thus, modern air force The PLA Navy is also overwhelmingly (82.7%) represented by aircraft of old and obsolete designs, which makes their combat value questionable.
The renewal of the fleet of the PLA Navy, as well as the ship composition discussed above, is carried out primarily in the renewal of strike and fighter aircraft: among the 88 new and modern aircraft built or acquired recently, there are 56 fighter-bombers (63.6% of revenues) and 32 fighters (36.4%).
Let us analyze the geographical projection of the combat potential of the PLA Navy in terms of operational range zones.
At the same time, these zones are determined by the distance from the coastline, namely:
Coastal - up to 200 miles;
Near sea - from 200 miles to 500 miles,
Marine - from 500 miles to 1000 miles, and
Oceanic - over 1000 miles.
Geographically, the division of the near-sea and offshore operating zones runs along the line: the southwestern water area of the Sea of Japan - the eastern tip of Kyushu - the southern part of Luzon and the delta of the river. Mekong. And the section of the near-sea and coastal operating zones runs along the line: the western coast of the Korean Peninsula - the eastern coast of Taiwan - the "middle" of the Indochinese Peninsula.
Thus, the coastal and near-sea operational zones actually cover the waters of the Yellow, East China and South China seas.
The calculation of indicators of the combat strength and combat potential of the PLA Navy is carried out in a monograph, and the result is reflected in rice. 3 .
Let's analyze the result. At the same time, we do not take into account the factor of tension in the use of forces and means of the fleet.
Thus, it is obvious that 100% of the combat strength and combat potential of the Chinese fleet can be used for operations in the coastal zone.
But already for operations in the near sea zone, less than half (45.6%) of combat aircraft can be involved and excludes the possibility of using up to 20% of the NBR.
And for operations in the maritime operational zone, up to 1/3 of the ship's combat personnel and 14% of combat aircraft can be involved.
Thus, according to the results of 2006, the Chinese fleet still retains its combat structure * [ The reverse example is modern Maritime forces self-defense of Japan, fully adapted for operations in the maritime (1000-mile) operating zone], focused on actions in the coastal and near-sea operational zones.
Meanwhile, it should be noted that over the first six years of the 21st century, the PLA Navy managed to significantly increase the potential of its military presence in the maritime operating zone - see table. 2 .
As a result, and in general, we note that the modern Naval Forces of the People's Republic of China are quantitatively provided with forces and means to create a favorable operational regime within the zone bounded by the "first chain of islands - the Ryukyu Islands and the Philippine Islands", which indicates the completion of the first stage Active Defense Strategies.
Meanwhile, an analysis of the combat capabilities of the Chinese fleet, taking into account the combat potentials of the navies of the countries of the region and the US military presence in East Asia, suggests that China's modern naval forces alone are unlikely to be able to ensure the security of their state from maritime directions. * [ The rationale for this conclusion is given in the book “Red Dragon. Modern Naval Forces of China].
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table 2 The dynamics of the growth of the combat potential of the PLA Navy |
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|
Combat means for offshore operating area |
Total, 2006 |
Act- in 2000- 2006 units |
Specific weight pos- dullness eventually 2006, % |
| Destroyers, units | 29 | 8 | 28,0 |
| Frigates, units | 16 | 6 | 37,5 |
| Submarines, units | 87 | 22 | 25,0 |
| Landing ships, units | 25 | 9 | 36,0 |
| Combat aircraft, units | 64 | 24 | 37,5 |
| Anti-ship missiles, units | 792 | 380 | 48,0 |
| Anti-aircraft guided missiles, units | 696 | 448 | 64,0 |
| UR "air-to-air", units. | 144 | 144 | 100 |
| Torpedoes, units | 1366 | 366 | 26,0 |
| Landing capacity, thousand people | 5,9 | 2,25 | 38,0 |
| Tank capacity, units | 215 | 90 | 42,0 |
From September 12 to 19, joint exercises of detachments of ships are held in the South China Sea navy(Navy) of Russia and the naval forces (Navy) of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA, armed forces of the PRC). TASS has prepared information about the history of the PLA Navy, organizational structure and armament of this type of armed forces.
How was the formation of the fleet
Until the final period of the Chinese Civil War (1927-1950, with a formal break in 1936-1945), the PLA did not have a fleet: the war between the Communist Party of China (CCP) and the Kuomintang Party was for control of the mainland.
The founding date of the PLA Navy is April 23, 1949, on this day several ships of the Navy of the Republic of China (the government of the Kuomintang party) crossed over to the side of the CCP.
As a separate branch of the armed forces, the Navy was established in September 1950, when a separate command was created under the General Staff of the PLA. The absence of a powerful fleet in 1950 did not allow the PLA to take control of about. Taiwan, where the Kuomintang government was evacuated. The PRC limited itself to taking Fr. Hainan, where army units landed on junks.
In November 1949, the Naval Academy was established in Dalian (with instructors from the USSR).
According to historians, in 1954 there were about 2,500 Soviet military specialists in China who assisted the PRC in building a modern fleet.
The first combat use of the PRC Navy was the participation of several ships in the suppression of unrest in Wuhan during the "cultural revolution" in 1967. Subsequently, the Chinese fleet won victories in clashes with Vietnamese ships in the region of the disputed islands in the South China Sea (in 1974, near the Paracel and in 1988 near the Spratly Islands).
By the 1970s The PRC already had a modern fleet. In 1974, China commissioned its first nuclear submarine (NPS, project 091 "Han"), in 1982 for the first time successfully launched a ballistic missile from a submarine.
In 2002, a squadron of the Chinese Navy completed the first circumnavigation of the world in the history of the Chinese Navy.
Currently, China's military strategy highlights the sea as one of the four key areas in which China needs to increase the potential of its military forces (along with space, cyberspace and the nuclear sphere).
In 2012, a course was proclaimed for China to become a strong maritime power. The 2015 White Paper of the Chinese government emphasizes the abandonment of traditional ideas about the priority importance of land spaces, indicating the transition from the protection of exclusively coastal territories to the integrated security of both coastal areas and the high seas.
What is the fleet
Commander of the PLA Navy - Admiral Wu Shengli, member of the Central Military Council (highest government agency in charge of the Chinese armed forces).
Organizationally, the PLA Navy is divided into three fleets:
Northern (SF, coverage area - Yellow Sea and Bohai Bay),
Vostochny (VF, East China Sea, including the Taiwan Strait),
Southern (SF, South China Sea).
The headquarters of the fleets are located, respectively, in the cities of Qingdao, Ningbo and Zhanjiang. At the beginning of 2016, three fleets were included in the commands of the same name, which were created in the course of the military reform in place of the former districts.
The PLA Navy includes:
underwater force,
surface forces,
naval Aviation,
coastal defense force,
Marines.
The number of personnel is about 235 thousand people.
In general, the PLA Navy ranks first in the world in terms of the number of diesel submarines, frigates, missile and patrol boats, landing ships (but inferior to the US Navy in terms of total tonnage and landing ship capacity).
In terms of the number of nuclear submarines and destroyers, the Chinese fleet is the third in the world (in terms of SSBNs and nuclear submarines - after the US Navy and the Russian Navy, in terms of destroyers - after the US and Japanese Navy).
submarine fleet
The PRC is actively building up its submarine fleet, which is approaching the American one in terms of numbers (75 submarines; in the Russian Navy - 70).
According to the compilers of the reference book The Military Balance (“Military Balance”, published by International Institute Strategic Research, IISS), the PLA Navy has only 61 submarines, but the US Department of Defense estimates that China currently has at least 70 submarines, including 16 nuclear submarines.
The maritime component of the PRC's nuclear deterrent forces are four Project 094 Jin nuclear submarine missile carriers (commissioned in 2006-2015), each with 12 JL-2 ballistic missiles and anti-ship missiles.
Two Project 094B nuclear submarines are being completed, each of which will carry 16 JL-2 missiles.
To replace the outdated nuclear submarines of project 091 "Han" (3 units in the Northern Fleet), new ones were built - project 093 "Shan" (presumably 6 units). The construction of new nuclear submarines of project 095 is underway.
The most modern of the Chinese diesel submarines are 15 submarines of the 041A Yuan project.
The construction of even more modern submarines of project 043 has begun.
Also in service are 12 diesel-electric submarines of Russian construction - projects 877, 636 and 636EM ("Varshavyanka"). In addition, 13 Chinese-made Project 039 Sung submarines are in service.
Older, but still combat-ready, are Project 035 "Min" submarines, their number is estimated at 15 units.
Aircraft carriers
At the moment, the only Chinese aircraft carrier "Liaoning" (in the fleet since 2012) is the former Soviet aircraft-carrying cruiser "Varyag" of project 11436, acquired in 1998 in Ukraine in an unfinished state.
The ship can accommodate up to 24 Shenyang J-15 fighters (copied from the Su-27K bought in Ukraine) and up to 17 helicopters (Russian Ka-31 radar patrol, anti-submarine Ka-28 and Chinese transport Z-8).
China is currently building a new aircraft carrier. It is stated that in terms of its tactical and technical characteristics it will surpass the Liaoning.
The PLA Navy operates 21 destroyers:
four ships of the Russian projects 956E (2 units) and 956EM (2 units), delivered to China in the late 1990s - early 2000s;
three ships of projects 051C and 051B built in the same period;
ten ships of projects 052, 052B, 052C;
in 2014, the first destroyer of project 052D "Kunming" was accepted into the Chinese fleet (4 units were put into service, 8 more units are under construction).
The most numerous class of surface ships of the PLA Navy (56 units) are frigates.
The oldest are 6 ships of project 051 of the Luida type (modifications of Soviet projects of the 1950s, built from the early 1970s to the early 1990s).
26 ships of project 053N of various modifications (created on the basis of the Soviet patrol ship of project 50 Gornostai). These frigates (except for the most modern modification 053H3) are gradually withdrawn from the Navy, some of them are sold to other countries or transferred to the Coast Guard.
Since the mid 2000s. Two Project 054 frigates and 22 Project 054A frigates were built to replace the Project 053H frigates, and three more frigates of the latter type are planned to be commissioned. Installations for vertical launch of anti-aircraft guided missiles on Project 054A frigates were created on the basis of the Russian Shtil air defense system.
Corvettes, boats and minesweepers
In 2012, the PRC began building project 056 corvettes. At present, 23 ships of this type have already been put into operation, of which four are anti-submarine 056A. It is planned that the total number of such ships will be at least 50 units.
The PLA Navy ranks first in the world in terms of the number of combat boats (more than 200). There are about 100 missile boats (projects 022, 037-II, 037-IG) and about the same number of patrol boats (projects 037-I, 037, 062-I).
Mine-sweeping forces are represented by a single minelayer of project 918 "Volei" and 48 units of minesweepers of projects 081, 082 and 082A.
Landing ships
The amphibious forces of the PLA Navy include:
four project 071 Qinchenshan type amphibious assault helicopter carriers;
30 large landing ships of project 072 of four modifications;
13 medium landing ships of project 073;
about 60 small landing ships (projects 074A, 074, 079-II);
four Project 12322 Zubr landing hovercraft built in Ukraine.
Naval aviation
Organizationally, it consists of six air divisions, two in each of the fleets.
According to The Military Balance, the Navy has 346 aircraft in service (the second largest in the world in terms of this indicator after the American one). Among them are 30 Xi'an H-6G bombers (own modification of the Soviet Tu-16) and 120 Xi'an JH-7 and JH-7A fighters.
The fighters are represented by 24 Russian-made Su-30MK2 aircraft and copies of the Su-27SK - 72 Shenyang J-11B and J-11BS aircraft.
At least 20 Shenyang J-15 carrier-based fighters are also in service. In addition, naval aviation has 22 Chengdu J-10 multirole fighters and 24 Shenyang J-8 units. The production of J-11 and J-10 continues, their number will increase.
Anti-submarine aviation is represented by three amphibious aircraft of its own production SH-5 and 44 helicopters (19 Russian Ka-28, 25 Chinese "Harbin" Z-9C, created on the basis of the French AS365).
There are three tanker aircraft H-6DU (a project based on the H-6 bomber).
The PLA Navy is armed with 32 Y-8 multipurpose aircraft. Of these, 8 boards are used in the variant of electronic reconnaissance aircraft, 4 boards - as early warning radar aircraft (AWACS) Y-8J, the rest - as transport aircraft.
There are also 10 Y-7 transport aircraft and over 100 training aircraft.
The PLA Naval Aviation also includes:
44 multipurpose helicopters (19 Russian Ka-28s and 25 Chinese Harbin Z-9Cs);
9 Ka-31 AWACS helicopters;
43 transport helicopters (8 Russian Mi-8s, 20 Chinese Z-8s based on the French SA-321; 15 SA-321s themselves).
Marines
Includes two brigades as part of the Law Firm. In addition to preparing for amphibious assault operations, Chinese marines are on garrison duty in the Paracel Islands, disputed with Vietnam, in the South China Sea.
Marine brigades are armed with 73 ZTD-05 light tanks and 152 ZBD-05 infantry fighting vehicles.
Self-propelled artillery has more than 20 Type-07 self-propelled guns of 120 mm caliber and more than 20 outdated Type-89 self-propelled guns. Also in service with the Marine Corps
The PLA consists of Type-63 multiple launch rocket systems, HJ-73 and HJ-8 anti-tank missile systems, portable anti-aircraft missile systems
HN-5 and 82mm mortars.