Russia’s Only Aircraft Carrier Catches Fire Again, Lawmaker Proposes Buying China’s Liaoning Carrier

Russia’s only aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, has been out of service for years while undergoing maintenance for chronic operational problems. In just the most recent mishap, a fire broke out on the carrier, a few days before Christmas, while undergoing … Continue reading

J-15 Fighter Jet Lands and Takes Off from China’s First Aircraft Carrier Liaoning

At the end of last September, the New York Times quoted un-named “Chinese and other military experts”  regarding the Liaoning, the first Chinese aircraft carrier to go into service, that “China does not have planes capable of landing on the carrier and so far … Continue reading

Chinese Aircraft Carrier, Liaoning, Strategic or Simply Status?

Now that China has finally commissioned  Liaoning, its first aircraft carrier, the discussion has focused on whether the ship is a meaningful addition to the Chinese Navy or merely a symbol of status and prestige. Some have pointed out that the … Continue reading

Update: China’s First Aircraft Carrier, Liaoning, Enters into Service

After ten sea trials and over 25 years of construction and refitting, China has put its first aircraft carrier into service.  Long rumored to be named Shi Lang, the carrier has instead been named Liaoning, after the province where it was rebuilt and refitted. … Continue reading