China To Build 2 Warships – Taiwan Intelligence
Taiwan has alleged that China is working on building its own warships or aircraft carriers which it can use for eventual warfare in the future.
"Indeed, the Chinese communists have decided to build two aircraft carriers on their own," Asia One News reported, quoting Tsai Teh-sheng, head of Taiwan's National Security Bureau as telling Parliament on Monday.
"Initially, it may simply serve for training purposes, but it can be transferred for battles when necessary in the future," he said.
Mr Tsai noted the two carriers will be added to a refitted former Soviet carrier that China acquired which is currently undergoing sea trials.
The aircraft carriers have been scheduled for construction between 2013 and 2015. Delivery dates are expected between 2020 and 2022. Mr Tsai noted the aircraft carriers would be conventionally powered.
Since the middle of 2011, China had made six sea trials of its first refitted Soviet carrier. Taiwan said it will most probably go online before the year ends.
"Once the two warships join the Chinese navy, their threat to Taiwan will be way larger than that of the 'Varyag'," Mr Tsai said, pointing to the renovated 1980s Soviet-era carrier.