Although China did not launch its first aircraft carrier in time for yesterday’s People’s Liberation Army Day, expectations are that a Chinese flat-top will soon appear on the high seas. Chinese media have been hinting for years that the PLA Navy would not go forever without such an important naval asset, and the past few days have seen extensive coverage of the Varyag, which when it is launched will be the country’s first carrier ship. In 1998, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) purchased the Varyag, an uncompleted Soviet-era sloped-deck carrier, for $20 million. The Chinese buyer claimed it would […]
Global Insights: China’s Carrier Wait Will End Soon
