I also think too many are hung up on what Japan did 70 years ago as reason for Japan not to be a full player on the world stage. Modern Japan is nothing like Imperial Japan. Nobody thinks Japan is planning to invade anyone else now or in the next thirty years or more, so what’s the problem with them possessing aviation capable ships?

If it is nothing like it, then they should not have a problem apologizing and compensating victims, like the Germans did.

Indians are inherantly paranoid when dealing with Americans and for good reason too.

I wasn’t referring to Indians but to people on the Internet…

Just a case of some journalist wanting to come up with a story.

From Defesa.br on Rafale on Sao Paolo.
http://www.defesabr.com/MB/mb_rafale.htm

Machine translation Portugese > English
http://nl.babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.defesabr.com%2FMB%2Fmb_rafale.htm&lp=pt_en&btnTrUrl=Vertalen

The three models of the Rafale can be understood by these capacities:

F1 = Air combat;

F2 = F1 + Air-to-ground Attack; e

F3 = F2 + Naval Attack, Recognition and Nuclear Attack.

The Rafale F3 could only be considered as Multi-functional, with aptitudes for Air combat, Air-to-ground Attack, Naval Attack, Recognition and Nuclear Attack.

One knows that the Nuclear NAe Charles de Gaulle will be able to operate a maximum of 40 aircraft Rafale M – F1, F2 and F3.

Then there is this bit.

Devil In The Details? Bogey In The Indian Navy’s P-8I Aircraft Contract

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2009/09/exclusive-devil-in-details-bogey-in-p.html

Malicious code: http://www.answers.com/topic/malicious-code

Home > Library > Science > Sci-Tech Dictionary(mə¦lish·əs ′kōd)
(computer science) Programming code that is capable of causing harm to availability, integrity of code or data, or confidentiality in a computing system; encompasses Trojan horses, viruses, worms, and trapdoors.

Big deal over nothing. Shows the paranoid and conspiracy theorists rule the internet.

Because the French have them?

Well, if the french have then …:diablo:

What would be the advantage of stripping the island? Is it easier to install equipment? If you removed the whole island would this leave you with a big hole maybe to install heavy machinery ie engines etc? Or does the Varag actually need this big an island, could they be going to rip this one off and put a smaller prefabricated island on there. This would maybe be seen as easier than trying to fit the old one with all the necessary equipment.
Maybe 1 day we will know if this ship is coming into service but not for a few years yet anyway.

There are portions which are no longer needed and which may be removed to save weight topside. Perhaps new sections will be fitted in place. Through the island is the worst way to get to engine rooms, if possible at all to get there via this route. There is no reason to remove the entire island (why bother if it is not necessary), particularly not to save space.

You might look at the Gorshkov-Vikramaditya transformation as an example of modification of island/superstructure on a carrier.

Well a number of people have been quick to jump on the Hyuuga class and name it an aircraft carrier, others (including me) have said no it isn’t but the next class might be. My own guess is that this will be Fitted For But Not With fixed wing aircraft at least initially.

Interesting idea making it an oiler as well, one would assume that it there would be a need to re-roll it? I’d be interested to see some concept art.

Note that the Spanish ‘sea control ship’ Principe d’Asturias has a RAS-station from which is can refuel escorting vessels on its starboard side, just behind the large and distinctive round dome of the aircraft control radar, the J-band ITT SPN-35A. Spain’s Juan Carlos I Landing Helicopter Dock a.k.a. Strategic Projection Ship has a RAS-station at a similar location near the aft starboard end of the island. Thailand’s Chakri Naruebet Offshore Patrol Helicopter Carrier also has a RAS-rig over starboard, but it’s just behind the bridge.