Russia has exported 16 ships to China
Recently, the Global Network relayed an article in the Russian media, which analyzed and commented on issues related to the weapons and equipment business between the two countries' sailors. The original article pointed out that in China's military shipbuilding industry is now booming, while the Russian shipbuilding industry is gradually shrinking, the Russian navy is fully able to buy from China a certain plan of large ships, to compensate for the lack of their own shipbuilding strength. Once this article was announced, it triggered a warm comment from the public in both countries. Especially in China, on the use of domestic 055, 052D destroyers, and even 054A frigates, or perhaps 901 type large supply ships, large hospital ships, derived from the type of export comments, is also endless. However, I'm afraid the work is not as simple as it seems.
A report triggered public opinion
In the article from the Russian media, the author thought that the Russian navy can first buy similar hospital ships, supply ships, such as large tonnage, Russia is now unable to manufacture, together with the difference in the main battle ships, technology is not so sensitive, the cost is not too high auxiliary ships, so that the two countries in the business of gradually accumulating experience of collaboration. As for like destroyers and frigates and other large and medium-sized main battle ships, Russia still has abundant experience and ability, short-term no need to buy from China. It should be said that the two points in the article based on is very reasonable, but also more in line with the two countries military shipbuilding industry status quo and the needs of the sailors. The only question is, the Russian navy now really need to be similar to China's navy 40,000 tons of 901 generalized ocean generalized supply ship, as well as 14,000 tons of 920-type hospital ships such as large auxiliary ships?
Domestic 901 generalized ocean-going supply ship
The Russian navy has not received any newly built large surface ships since the late 1990s, when it completed the last cruiser left behind by the Soviet Union. In 2001 after the launch of the 4000-ton 22350 frigate, after more than 20 years, only two in service. 2000-ton 20380/20385 frigate, so far the number of in service less than 10 ships. Now, the Russian Navy in service more than 6,000 tons of large and medium-sized destroyers, cruisers, all of which are manufactured in the Soviet era type, the vast majority of the launch time has been more than 30 years. In recent years, although some of them have been modernized, but not only is the development of transformation slower, the number is not much, and in such an old platform transformation, combat effectiveness improvement is also more limited.
Russian and Chinese naval vessels have recently had two "in the same box", once in late 2021, China's 055-type Nanchang fleet to Russia, and the Russian Pacific Fleet flagship "Varyag" cruiser led by the Russian fleet in the Sea of Japan. Joint military exercises; another time in 2022, China's sailors 052D Urumqi ship, went to the Gulf of Aden escort during the "Varyag" rubbed shoulders. The two "same frame" comparison, can be very obvious to see the distance between the two.
"Peace Ark" hospital ship's military ship name is actually "Daishan Island", displacement up to 14000
Nevertheless, the Russian sailors in the development of underwater nuclear submarine force but the best efforts, especially recognized into the global The 955/955A Doktor-class strategic nuclear submarine, which is recognized as a fourth-generation specification, has a submerged displacement of more than 24,000 tons. Underwater displacement up to more than 24,000 tons, in the United States Navy "Columbia" class strategic nuclear submarine is still under construction, to become recognized as the most advanced strategic nuclear submarine. The "God of the winter wind" has now begun construction of 10 ships, of which 5 are now in service. In addition, with the "God of the winter wind" class with the 885/885M "Yasen" class invasion of nuclear submarines, function is also appropriate not bad, submerged displacement of about 13,800 tons, the overall level of the bottom of the new generation of U.S. "Virginia" class invasion of nuclear submarines, has become the most advanced strategic nuclear submarine recognized. Virginia"-class invasion of the height of the nuclear submarine, has now begun construction of nine, three in service.
Urumqi ship and Varyag intuitive comparison
So, the Russian naval vessels appeared bipolar decomposition: the surface of the slow expansion of ships, newly built warships smaller tonnage, still mainly old ships; and underwater strategic nuclear submarines, invasion of the nuclear submarine rapid development, tonnage and technical level is appropriate and excellent, a number of old 667 type". DELTA" class, 941 "Hurricane" class nuclear submarines are rapidly selecting. This significant decomposition phenomenon, the reverse of the underlying reasons, on the one hand, because of the Soviet era surface ships manufacturing equipment and technology are left behind in Ukraine, so that Russia lacks the ability to quickly manufacture many surface ships, and nuclear submarine manufacturing, planning agencies are located in Russia, with an outstanding foundation for the development of; on the other hand, but also the most important element is that the Russian navy's overall national defense strategy has now been changed from the global expansion of the Soviet era, to the development of a nuclear submarine class. From the Soviet period of global expansion, into the current regional strategic defense.
"God of the winter wind" class is the most advanced strategic nuclear submarine
In the cold war era, the Soviet Union's primary combat goal is to fight with the U.S. Navy in the ocean, which has launched a 12,000-ton "Glory"-class missile Cruiser, 24,000 tons of "Kirov" class nuclear-powered cruiser, as well as 40,000 tons of "Kiev" class aircraft carriers, 60,000 tons of "Kuznetsov" class aircraft carriers. Accordingly, there is a need for many destroyers and ocean-going supply ships. However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia's economic situation continues to slump, the overall military capability has also declined sharply, Russia's inability to maintain the previous planning of the huge global naval forces, coupled with its European direction of the military threat more and more serious, forcing it to be not much military resources will be concentrated in the army and the air and space forces.
Few of the ridged 667 Deltas remain
Under these circumstances, the Russian navy is effectively unable to coordinate the development of surface warships and underwater submarines without putting both in jeopardy. Through some painful resolution plan, the Russian navy after all choose to strategic nuclear submarines as the center, to ensure sea-based secondary nuclear counterattack capability to adapt to the overall strategy of the Russian military, together with vigorously develop the invasion of nuclear submarines, as a strategic nuclear submarine auxiliary force. The development of surface ships, naturally, can only be in a non-essential position, after all, through the manufacture of 2,000 tons, 4,000 tons of small and medium-sized frigates, to maintain the control of the offshore and some of the coastal waters. This strategy, is the Russian sailors according to their own reality, and the overall strategic needs of the Russian military, a more reasonable regional defense choice.
The 22350 is expected to be in the service of a small number of
Therefore, the Russian navy is mainly in the middle of the near sea combat, such as 40,000 tons of ocean-going supply ships, large hospital ships such as the typical ocean-going equipment, completely does not meet the needs of its combat. Unless the Russian navy from the beginning of the restoration of oceanic combat capability, combat positioning also followed to the global navy, or else in the short term neither the purchase of such large auxiliary ships resources, but also equipment such large auxiliary ships needs.
As for the domestic 055, 052D destroyer, although the function is also appropriate not bad, especially 055 general function of the world within the top three, but on the Russian navy is more no corresponding demand, in the short term there is no buy maybe. As for the 054AP frigate like similar exports to Pakistan, that is completely within the scope of Russia's capabilities, its 4,000-ton 22350-type frigate manufactured in recent years, although the displacement is not large, but the function is still very sharp, especially carrying the "zircon" hypersonic anti-ship missiles in the world can be said to be the only one. The first in the world can be said to be exclusive, this field also does not exist to our country to buy perhaps.
Launching "Zircon" hypersonic anti-ship missiles of the 22350-type first ship
In fact, the Russian navy, despite the loss of aircraft carriers, large cruisers manufacturing capabilities, but in 2003, it also made two 8000-ton "modern" class destroyers for China's navy. "class destroyer, whether it is manufacturing speed, quality, or the overall function is appropriate, marking the Russian actually did not completely lose the ability to manufacture large destroyers. Over the years, its surface ship force, especially the shrinkage of large surface ships, the most basic reason is still the adjustment of the Russian naval strategy. Although because of the differences in the needs of the sailors and the functional characteristics of the ships, China and Russia in the destroyers, frigates, and hospital ships, supply ships and other areas, it is difficult to end the rapid and useful collaboration, but the two countries in the field of naval equipment, not without the ability to do business in the field.
"Modern" class destroyer was our navy's "fist"
Before this article, there were Russian media said that our navy's "Liaoning" aircraft carrier was in service. "The carrier has been in service for more than 30 years, estimated in 2030 into the late service, coupled with a new generation of domestic aircraft carriers will arrive at a higher level, so it is likely that after the "Liaoning" decommissioned, and after a certain amount of remodeling and resale of the Russian navy. However, this idea is more daring than the business collaboration about supply ships and hospital ships, and the possibility of ending it is also lower. The reverse side of the problem is that Russia has now basically lost the ability to manufacture large surface main battle ships. Therefore, the two countries are really able to collaborate in the field, and is the Russian sailors now in urgent need of, in fact, 40,000 tons of 075-type amphibious assault ship.
"Liaoning" aircraft carrier was once the ambition of the Russian sailors
In 2008, the war with Georgia, the Russian sailors realized that the amphibious landing ship force inherited from the Soviet era, is not accustomed to the needs of modern warfare. Especially in the case of the opponent has the ability to damage the port, delay the opponent landing, similar amphibious assault ships such as the ability to implement straight landing operations of modern ships, the modernization process of the Russian navy is very necessary, but also in line with the needs of Russia's surrounding waters of the existence of a number of messy situation. Therefore, after some discussion, the Russian navy after all decided to buy from France 4 "West Wind" class amphibious assault ship. Among them, the first two in France, and by the Russian manufacturing "West Wind" of the tail section, the latter two are from France to supply technology and center components, manufacturing in Russia to help the Russian shipbuilding industry to restore large warship manufacturing capacity.
French "West Wind" class amphibious assault ship sold to Egypt after all
After the signing of the agreement between the two sides, the Russian naval forces are in full swing to prepare to bear the "West Wind", and in the card-52 equipped with helicopters on the basis of the unfolding of the shipboard type of card -52K, and sent a group of sailors to France for training. However, with the change of the world situation in 2014, the first two "West Wind" is now the end of the bottom of the manufacturing failed to hand over to the Russian sailors, and France declared the business scrapped after a few months of hesitation. After the vast majority of the costs returned to Russia, the two "West Wind" class resold to Egypt, after the two "West Wind" manufacturing also ended without a trace. Russia's first attempt to acquire a modern amphibious assault ship was a failure.
Ka-52K was originally prepared for the "West Wind"
By the impact of the loss of this business, the Russian navy decided to self-sufficient development of large amphibious assault ships, and repeatedly to the outside world to show the corresponding planning model, but so far, there is still no definite development. With this, China made 40,000 tons of amphibious assault ship type 075 development but exceptionally smooth, the first ship launched in September 2019, April 2021 formally participate in the naval service. 075 type of the overall function of the world recognized as the strongest "United States of America" class amphibious assault ship, tonnage arrived in France, the United States of America amphibious assault ship. "West Wind" nearly twice, fully able to satisfy the amphibious operational needs of the Russian navy.
And, China in just less than two years, has launched three 075, marking the manufacturing strength is very strong, can satisfy the world buyers of ordering and transformation needs. In addition, in late 2021, China also launched a 071E dock landing ship (an export type derived from the 071 base) planned to be handed over to Thailand, which has further piled up the export resume of large amphibious ships.
"Kirov"-class nuclear-powered cruiser is still the center of the Russian Navy
Now, the Russian Navy amphibious assault ships do have an urgent need, and the possibility of its own planning and manufacturing is minimal, and China has the 075 this advanced and mature type of shipbuilding strength is very strong, manufacturing speed and quality can be ensured, and the 071E dock landing ship (derived from the 071 export type) is planned to be handed over to Thailand. Speed and quality can be ensured, and there are corresponding export experience, can be described as "everything is ready, all we need is an east wind". Therefore, in the domestic 075 derived from the basis of the export type, perhaps the two countries are the most likely, but also the most fully prepared in the field of naval equipment, than the nebulous supply ships, hospital ships, destroyers business, obviously much more reliable. Of course, as a highly messy large-scale military equipment business, its countervailing influencing elements, is also destined to be more than just functional objectives, cost and the two sides of the liaison so simple.
075's function is enough to satisfy the needs of Russian sailors
Russia was born in the now collapsed Soviet Union, itself still has a huge military industrial system from the Soviet era, especially in the previous nearly 30 years, Russia exported a lot of advanced weaponry to our country, before and after the 2000s, has exported four 8,000 tons to China. Around 2000, it exported four 8,000-ton "Hyundai"-class destroyers and 12 3,000-ton "Kilo"-class submarines. Now, the original "teacher", "big brother", suddenly to the "student", "little brother" to buy large-scale naval equipment, in the ideological backlash. The company's business is a very important part of the company's business, and it's a very important part of the company's business," he said.
In fact, when the Russian navy in the manufacture of 21631-type missile ship, the earliest selection of diesel engines from Germany, did not cause any waves within Russia. And when Germany announced its refusal to continue to supply, the Russian navy in a hurry to buy the civilian diesel engine produced in China, but caused a furor within Russia. After all, it is still delayed the manufacturing process of the boat, and in the performance of the third power plan changes, only for the Russian warships to use China's diesel engine work to draw a conclusion. Small missile boats with diesel engines, can cause such a big wave within Russia, assuming the purchase of 40,000 tons of amphibious assault ship, bring the controversy can be imagined.
Was equipped with our diesel engine triggered focus on the 21631 missile ship
In fact, just before this article was announced, the Russian navy rare 3 "glory" class cruiser as the center, more than 20 large and medium-sized ships converged on the Mediterranean Sea, with the actual action to express the situation around the Sentiment. This planning and strength, the Russian navy in recent years is the only large planning group of ships activities. The move itself is clearly a show of strength and a declaration of emotion. Although it is a warning to the NATO-based Western strength, but in turn, it also makes clear that the Russian military on its own strength dignity and position of the resolute defense, in this case, our ships to export to Russia, even if the theoretical conditions of the fullest 075 foreign trade type, seems to be faced with a great deal of resistance.
So, assuming that domestic ships can really be exported to the northern neighboring countries, it is of course a great good, counted in the bulk purchase of "modern" class and "Kilo" class more than 20 years after the most direct recognition of their own strength. And from the recognition of the Russian sailors, also means that our domestic warships have now been heavyweight world users of the affirmation of the role of export promotion is clear.
Russian navy ships large planning collection in the Mediterranean Sea
Even if the Russian media speculation of this business is only fantasy after all, there is no need to despair. With a new generation of domestic aircraft carriers, 055-type destroyers, 075 amphibious assault ship follow-up type of steady progress, China's naval forces really go to the distant sea is only a matter of time. Now China's navy, long unlike 20 years ago, can only rely on Russia's "modern" class destroyers, "Kilo-class" submarines, used as a psychological barrier against hegemony. Now our country's navy, early with the momentum of lightning, the end of the sea force growth and innovation, followed by more, newer, more revolutionary maritime equipment coming one after another. Foreign trade from the north to buy business, can only be regarded as the icing on the cake, I am fortunate to gain, but it does not matter if I lose. I'm afraid that we have been insisting on independence and autonomy for decades, and to obtain a major achievement of the bottom of the place.