I wonder why they want Amur-950 instead of 1650? The 950 only carries 6 torpedos and has lesser endurance. The 1650 should be able to accomodate 10 klub missiles and the Kilo’s can always launch them from the tubes.

I’m just curous as to how you reached that 2030 date. What were the estimates used for choosing it? What is it based on?

I just don’t think varayag will be the first fully operational carrier for PLAN. They would make one on their own so that it is tailored to their needs. So varyag may only serve as a trainer of sorts till the new one is built and ready. Are there any plans as to build one yet?

Why would it be cancelled? RN has to replace the invincible class in a decade or less.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1829687,0008.htm

Indo-US `war’ at sea off Goa

HT Correspondent

New Delhi, October 26, 2006

India and the US are conducting a joint naval exercise, ‘Malabar-’06, off the coast of Goa from October 24 to November 5. An indicator of growing military ties, this is the ninth bilateral exercise with the US since 2002.

Indian warships taking part include Delhi-class destroyer Mysore, guided missile frigate Beas, landing ship Gharial and sub-surface killer submarine INS Shankul.

The simulated combat at sea also involves reconnaissance aircraft and Sea Harrier fighters. The first of the Malabar series of exercises was conducted in 1993, but it was dumped after Pokhran-II in 1998.

Pitched against the Indian maritime might is the US Navy’s Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG-05) comprising landing platform USS Boxer, cruiser USS Bunker Hill, destroyers Benfold and Howard, the US Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, Canadian frigate Ottawa, nuclear powered submarine USS Providence and a P3C Orion long-range anti-submarine warfare (ASW) patrol aircraft.

Navy spokesman Captain Vinay Garg said on Thursday, “The two navies are carrying out expeditionary operations for the first time. Some of our troops have been trained for sea-borne landings onboard Gharial.

“They will now exercise with the US marines onboard Boxer. The exercise provides us the right setting to prepare for the induction of Trenton, which is a landing platform dock.”

Its better to speculate about it than talk about territorial issues.
2030 is only my estimate, others can disagree. Russia training chinese pilots does not really give me much confidence. Frankly they are nowhere near the best at carrier based aviation. First let the varyag be completed and commissioned then we can see if they can actually put it out to sea.

Well if EU supports france then they wouldn’t care but I can’t see UK, germany or spain going against US on this matter.

Star, without Catapults the Su-33 just cannot carry as much load. But I agree even if it can carry 6000Kg of ammo thats quiet a bit. Yes the Range of rafale is pathetic and needs massive drop tanks that completely spoil any low RCS features on the plane itself. Exactly what weapons do F-18 and rafale have to counter the air launched moskit ot Klub or yakhont? Harpoon is pathetic and excocet a joke.

Can we discuss how PLAN is never going to get rafales and by when Su-33 equipped PLAN Carrier might ever make it to the seas?