"Varyag" was the progress of the conversion, foreign military observers surprise.

China's development of aircraft carriers is an indisputable fact that the! No need to continue the discussion, we develop aircraft carrier in full accordance with China's economic development and national defense needs to make the inevitable choice, the Chinese People long coastline, its protection is not nobody do it, and today decided to develop the performance of the aircraft carrier itself is also within our capabilities . Then everyone has been very concerned about the import "Varyag" aircraft carrier ready to play exactly what kind of role?

First, any country has advanced the use of weapons is a simple to complex and incremental process, first, solve the "availability problems", followed by the address performance issues. That is in the "yes" on the basis of performance improvement, innovation and further improvements ... ...

Until it can not begin to improve the development of new weapons platforms. Thus, the history of China as a country have never used a carrier, the key is to first solve the "availability problems", it falls on the "Varyag" body. Through the "Varyag" in practice, applications for domestic carriers to lay a solid foundation. This is the "Varyag" is intended one.

Second, the "Varyag" as an independent medium-sized aircraft carrier for China-made aircraft carrier construction lays the technical foundation, but as "import" of it, because the design and technical parameters of confidentiality and other reasons are not suitable for China main battle equipment, so the "Varyag" as our first "aircraft carrier training ship," the more likely. This is the "Wagga good" intentions of the two.

Third, China's acquisition of the old aircraft carrier through the demolition, alteration, etc., have the basic structure of the aircraft carrier had a certain understanding. However, due to China, "Kiev-class" aircraft carriers are not satisfied, so it was not in the "Kiev-class" while several old aircraft carrier that the implementation of improvements until the hardships was "Varyag" was highly prized, be careful of, modification ! The "Varyag" modified project provides us with a wealth of experience in aircraft carrier construction and renovation, but the main thing is for the aircraft carrier battle damage maintenance work provided valuable experience rare. As we all know, "Varyag" to the Chinese people suffered before the "hit", no less than the loss of a major naval battle! How to repair and maintain the "Varyag" restore combat effectiveness is a very important subject worthy of study, therefore, from which we learned a lot of valuable experience! This is the "Varyag" intention of the three.

Fourth, the implicit real show off, "Varyag" reform in the next, "aircraft carriers" project in the dark, "Ming at large, darkness Chencang." This is the "Varyag" intention of the four.

Fifth, the present, China urgently needs two aircraft carriers were installed in the East China Sea and South China Sea out! Development and manufacturing of two new aircraft carriers at the same time neither realistic, nor science, because the aircraft carrier is different from the aircraft, its expensive, the system heterogeneous, even if successfully developed will have this kind of problems, not overnight, it is also developing two technology risk great! Even the United States is also a boat manufacturing, the next one on board sought on the basis of improvements. Thus, while China and its construction of two aircraft carriers would be better, "a change of a building", is to ensure the progress and ensure that the requirements of two aircraft carriers, more military spending actual configuration. This is the "Varyag" intention of the five.

Sixth, from the current domestic "Aegis" and Russian "Aegis," the attachment sea view, the former in the South China Sea Fleet, the latter in the North Sea Fleet, therefore, the distribution of carrier also can be seen. Taking into account the real threats facing the South China Sea up to the maximum, domestic advanced nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to be deployed in the South China Sea, contain the Southeast Asian countries claim to sovereignty over the South China Sea; view of the East China Sea in my North Sea Fleet, East Sea Fleet, land-based naval aviation, coastal defense missile units, tactical missile units (the Second Artillery) with five soldiers and heavy firepower has certain advantages under, therefore, take into account the "Varyag" weaker, so in the North Sea Fleet deployment of the "Varyag" training the most likely carrier. This is the "Varyag" intention of the six.

Varyag way home ceiling $ 30,000,000 627

"Varyag" is the second ship built by the Soviet Union a real aircraft carrier, but with the Soviet Union, it and the "Minsk", "Kiev" was, like, was sold to China. Although the "Varyag" aircraft carrier Liulayixiang has four years, but it did not leave the moment the vision of the Russian people. This is the Russian "off" magazine editor in chief disclosed for the first 安德烈福明 "Varyag" was the author. In the beauty and loneliness, frustration and struggle to pursue the alternative, the "Varyag" was another door opened the door of hope. Although somewhat similar to the sudden switch dance, dancers can not help, or another step on the foot, or awkward, or collision. However, slower than in the elegant three, tango and more enthusiasm, bold and unrestrained.

Construction Whole Story

December 4, 1985, "Varyag" aircraft in the Ukrainian Black Sea shipyard slipway Nicholas Aliyev settled. This is the second design has just been completed in accordance with 1143.5 construction and launching of the "Kuznetsov" aircraft carrier after the implementation stage in the ship's second aircraft carrier construction.

May 7, 1982, after repeated deliberation and discussion, the Soviet Communist Party Central Committee and the Council of Ministers made in accordance with the 1143.5 build third-generation aircraft carrier design decision. September, the "Order 105" (1143.5 plant design number) first aircraft carrier ship the first units in the Black Sea shipyard began construction. The next year, decided to build the "Order 106" a second aircraft carrier. Before construction, the "Order 105" prepared by the former Soviet republics of Latvia Riga, the capital of naming, but this naming scheme was quickly rejected and replaced by the Soviet Union leader Leonid Brezhnev's name, and then to the Soviet Navy Kuznetsov, commander of the surname name.

"Order 106" displacement of 55,000 tons, Captain 302 meters, 35.4 meters wide ship, flight deck length of 70.5 m, draft of 10.5 meters, using a steam turbine 4. And "Order 105" different, "Order 106" is equipped with improved carrier-based electronic devices.

November 25, 1988, "Order 106" into the water. Subsequently, the Soviet Government's decision, the Black Sea shipyard began construction in accordance with 1143.7 design "Ulyanovsk" aircraft carrier, numbered "107 orders." 1143.7 program using nuclear power plants, an increase of dimensions and displacement, in addition to hop off the bow deck installation sliding, it also plans to install two gas ejection device.

July 1990, "Order 106" aircraft carrier was named "Varyag" was, in 1904-1905 to commemorate the sinking of the Russo-Japanese War the "Varyag" was armored ship. As in November 1991, "Order 106" aircraft carrier construction rate has reached 68%. However, with the Soviet Union, "Varyag" and "Ulyanovsk" aircraft of all construction work stopped.

Find Buyers

With the Soviet Union and Ukrainian independence, "Varyag" aircraft carrier into the property of Ukraine, but still compiled in fighting within the Russian Navy. To complete the "Varyag" was the remaining 32% of the construction work, at least 2 billion dollars support. For Ukraine, stretched, there is no ability to come up with this expenditure.

"Varyag" was long abandoned by the banks of the Nikolayev City, during which Russia and Ukraine also discuss "Varyag" aircraft of the redemption problem. But the outcome of the negotiations ended in failure. The main reason is Ukraine to Russia has proposed an unacceptable price. In the eyes of Ukraine, "Varyag" aircraft carrier price far more than its worth, it represents a country's defense potential.

According to the Soviet Union St. Petersburg, Nevsky Design Bureau of the designers said, the 20th century, the mid-90s, "Varyag" was also had the opportunity to be saved. Ukraine was calculated, to the disintegration of "Varyag" to be voted $ 250,000,000, after the disintegration of the sale of scrap steel has only 500 million U.S. dollars. Therefore, Ukraine can not accept the Russian proposal does not revert to the high price. At this time, "Varyag" fate rests in the hands of Russia, but talks broke again.

In 1995, the "Varyag" was compiled into a formal withdrawal of the Russian Navy, and to repay the debt on the grounds gave the Ukraine. Ukraine quickly find the sale of "Varyag" potential objects - China. However, a gross interference in the United States: If the sale to China, all weapons must be removed carrier; Otherwise, it will take economic sanctions. Under the pressure of the United States, "Varyag," the demolition of a ship-based weapons and equipment to be empty. Retaining the superstructure, the child seems to have become an empty shell.

In 1999, Ukraine finally with a Macau "Tourism Co., Ltd" entered into an agreement to sell $ 20,000,000. Travel limited liability company to purchase "Varyag" aircraft of the reason is to transform it into a large-scale integrated maritime tourism facilities.

Stranded in Aiwei La Island

In 1999, launched 11 years and 8 years after cessation, "Varyag" aircraft carrier ready to emigrate to China. Requirements of the buyer before departure, marked a clear position in the bow about to settle down the Newport name. Therefore, in the "Varyag" next to his name, appeared in English "Saint" words (Saint is St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean Islands, the capital.) Meanwhile, Ukraine and China has developed through its Black Sea, the Bosphorus, the Mediterranean and the Dardanelles on the route. However, when ready to set sail when the ban came from Turkey, "Varyag" was a telegram through the Bosporus Strait.

The late 20th century, 90, with the Russian Black Sea naval combat force in the weakening of Turkey despite the relevant provisions of the Convention on the International Law of the Sea, began to strengthen the Bosphorus on the past, restrictions on foreign vessels, especially for the Russian Navy restrictions.

Turkey is too large to ship, other vessels of the Bosphorus normal navigation refuses to "Varyag" was adopted. Discerning the true background is clear: Turkey has been the US-led NATO from the country's political pressure. As soon as possible to join NATO, Turkey must take concrete action to meet the various requirements of NATO. As a result, China and Turkey began a year and a half years of negotiations.

During the negotiations, Turkey believes that even if China promised to abide by the provisions of the 20 pre-sea precautions, "Varyag" was on the Strait the level of threat to other vessels can only be reduced by 60% -70%. To ensure that the aircraft passed the Bosphorus, will command the maritime sector in Turkey suspended all vessels, the use of seven tugs and fire rescue to provide protection. Turkey also requires that all support vessels, must be installed to provide communications equipment from Turkey, sailed the ship all the lighting equipment open to all possible security risks. For the demanding requirements of Turkey, China agreed to arrange two million each year for tourists in Turkey, as compensation. But this condition was Turkey's refusal. China promised to deliver $ 1,000,000,000 bond under the premise allowed "Varyag" was through the Bosporus Strait.

November 1, 2001, "Varyag" aircraft carrier passed the 32 km long, wide and 650-3300 m, 30-120 m deep Bosphorus. In Europe and Asia up to 2800 meters through the connection of the Bosphorus Bridge, the 16 pilots and 250 sailors (experts) participated in the "Varyag" aircraft of the escort work.

Through the Bosphorus Strait, the "Varyag" aircraft smoothly through the Dardanelles into the Aegean Sea on November 3. In the Aegean, "Varyag" was facing unprecedented turmoil. Due to the storm is large, it connected with the three tugboats have been Guaduan streamer. "Varyag" was like a runaway horse, lost control of the sea, rampage. At the time, "Varyag" aircraft carrier has three Russian sailors, three Ukrainian sailors and a Filipino sailor. Make every effort to rescue the sailors, "Kuznetsov" aircraft carrier. The staff shortage, coupled with the sea breeze is too large, "Varyag" aircraft carrier run aground in Greece Aiwei La Island Shoal.

Greek maritime rescue helicopter quickly arrived and rescued the seven sailors. At this time, "Varyag" aircraft into unmanned actually "empty nest." Finally, three tugboats and a Greek ship to live with a fixed towing "Varyag" was finally brought under control of the aircraft carrier.

7 sailors return to their "Varyag" aircraft carrier, so it continues easterly course. Gibraltar from the Mediterranean into the Atlantic Ocean, from the West around the African continent. December 11, 2001, "Varyag" aircraft passing through Africa's Cape of Good Hope, across the Indian Ocean. February 5, 2002, "Varyag" aircraft carrier into the Strait of Malacca, and then entered the South China Sea. After 627 days and nights, March 4, 2002, "Varyag" aircraft carrier finally arrived at the end of the voyage - China's Dalian port. In order to "Varyag" aircraft carrier to complete this extraordinary voyage, China spent a total of about 3,000 million U.S. dollars.