China's First Flattop Started its Carrier Program And Continues to be Upgraded
Without the Type 001 Liaoning, it is doubtful the PLAN would be where it is now—at least in terms of being on track to be the second-largest operator of aircraft carriers in the world.
The People's Liberation Army Navy's Type 001 Liaoning successfully—even infamously—jump-started Beijing's carrier program. The story of how the flattop was originally built for the Soviet Navy as the Kuznetsov-class aircraft cruiser Riga, has been repeatedly told.
The short version is that following the collapse and dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, construction was halted and the unfinished vessel was put up for sale by Ukraine. The stripped hulk was purchased by a Chinese firm—reportedly to be converted into a floating hotel and casino, only to be left to deteriorate in the elements for several years.
At one point, it seemed unlikely it would be used as a tourist attraction, let alone a warship, and would be little more than scrap metal.
Yet, it rose like a Phoenix and was eventually refurbished by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and became China's first aircraft carrier, fulfilling a decades-long ambition for Beijing.
Launched China's Carrier Program
Without the Type 001 Liaoning, it is doubtful the PLAN would be where it is now—at least in terms of being on track to be the second-largest operator of aircraft carriers in the world.
The Liaoning originally served as a training carrier, while it allowed Beijing to build its first domestically-produced flattop, the Type 002 Shandong.
Now, as the far more capable Type 003 Fujian is undergoing sea trials and could enter service next year, questions are being raised as to what role the Type 001 could play. It is far from a capable combat vessel, and while not as old as the earliest U.S. Navy Nimitz-class carriers, one can only wonder how the years as an unfinished hulk have left its "bones."
It might seem that the first PLAN flattop has completed its mission and would be better returned to a training warship or perhaps finally preserved as a museum as a far more advanced warship is set to enter service. However, Beijing may want to have the numbers. It has set a goal of having six operational carriers by the mid-2030s—and therefore the Type 001 may be far from being retired.
Not Dead Yet—Not by a Longshot
China has no plans to scrap or even retire its first carrier. As international analyst firm Janes reported this week, the Type 001's flight deck had undergone several modifications and refurbishments from February 2023 to February 2024—which does suggest it could remain in service for years or even decades.
"Images of the vessel taken at its post-refurbishment sea trials in March 2024 indicate the presence of full-scale fighter aircraft mock-ups on its flight deck. Specifically, the mock-ups are of the J-15 and J-35 fighter aircraft," Janes reported, citing recent satellite images that show a new weapons elevator at the aft of the flight deck.
"It measures about 6×2 m, and it is located across the flight deck's foul line at about 3.5 m forward of the vessel's stern. Satellite images taken of the ship before its latest refurbishment do not show the presence of this elevator," the analyst report added.
The elevators could allow the crew to swap out an aircraft's weapon payload, even after the fighter is readied for launch. These were capabilities that weren't part of the original design when the warship was laid down for service with the former Soviet Navy.
No Catapults, No Problem?
The Type 001 Liaoning isn't equipped with catapult launch gear and instead employs a ski jump ramp. As a result, it has exclusively operated the Shenyang J-15, the Chinese-made version of the Russian Sukhoi Su-33 (NATO reporting name Flanker D) carrier-based fighter.
Though the J-15 features local improvements in terms of engines, avionics, and weapons, the Chinese clone has been viewed as an interim carrier-based fighter until a fifth-generation successor enters service. The question is whether a more advanced fighter could still be suited to the carrier and its ski-jump ramp.
It is a case of making twenty-first-century technology work with a platform designed during the Cold War, and in the Soviet Union no less—where carriers became some of an enigma.
Could the J-35 Operate From the Type 001?
It has been expected that the Shenyang J-35—which was derived from the FC-31 Gyrfalcon—was tailor-built to serve aboard Beijing's newer types of carriers, notably those fitted with catapults as well as arrestor gear. Yet, there has been some indication that the PLAN has explored whether the fifth-generation fighter could operate from the flight deck of the Type 001 Fujian.
The ski jump ramps require that an aircraft's payload be significantly decreased compared to one that takes off with catapult assistance. However, the PLAN may still be looking into how the J-35 could still serve aboard the older carriers, as images circulated earlier this year that suggested tests were conducted to determine if that could be capable.
Even if that isn't the case, all indications are that the PLAN will make the most of its first carrier for years to come.
Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
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