Current Events in Asia-Pacific

Whether under her own power or under tow, Varyag left the Port of Dalian according to Xinhua News. A quick search of the various Chinese forums shows an empty bearth where Varyag was supposedly tied up. Visibility was quite poor at the time which assists in a quiet/covert departure. Xinhua reports that the initial trial won't be long and that the vessel will return to complete her 'refit' soon. Hopefully we'll be seeing some periscope photos in the near future, hopefully they'll include the tug. Later D

From BBC News [excerpt]

From Flight Global [excerpt]

From Defense Aerospace [excerpt]

From DefenseNews [excerpt]

Korea Herald article

From Aviation Week At Matsushima: 18x F-2B fighter trainers, only 6-9 of which might be capable of being repaired 5x UH-60J helicopters 5x T-4 jet trainers 2x Hawker 800XPs

Chinese Missiles and the Wal-Mart Factor

From Aviation Week [excerpt] CV32: Already in the HCDB, btw.

From DefenseNews [excerpt]

BBC reporting escalating row between China and Vietnam in the South China Sea China 'cable' cutting angers Vietnam in Spratlys row

JH-XX, looking in some respects like a two-seat F-35 ... Secret Projects DEW Line blog RIA Novosti

BBC news report Apparently it won't sail to other countries' territorial waters... which no sensible carrier admiral would do anyway...

From Reuters [excerpt] CV32: One wonders where the Shi Lang and her "air wing" will head on their maiden voyage?

From RIA Novosti [excerpt] CV32: Russkies got no money for fuel, etc, or something deeper going on?

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/06/re...e-of-junk/all/1 'Cause Shi Lang is a navalized version of "Potyomkin villages? Points in article: - Chinese have no experience whatsoever in conducting naval air ops - It is just a one carrier against entire Pacific Fleet, augmented by its allies - Chinese have only J-15 naval fighter (possibly with limited antisurface capabilities) and some helicopters for ASW and (possibly) AEW role, but nothing more. No EW planes, no AEW planes, no carrier cargo planes - Chinese fleet have insufficent number of modern warships and submarines, comparable to Tico's, Burke's, improved Los Angeles, Seawolves and Virginias. So chinese f…

From RIA Novosti [excerpt]

From Reuters [excerpt]

From the Summer 2011 issue of US Naval War College Review: A New Carrier Race? (PDF) A lengthy discussion about the JMSDF's new DDH Hyuga.

From the Summer 2011 issue of US Naval War College Review: PLA Doctrine and the Employment of Sea Based Airpower (PDF)