Several posts back I commented on the vulnerability of US aircraft carriers in the face of Chinese ASBM technology. Funny thing, though. Everybody who can afford a carrier wants one.
Like China, for instance. In the pages of this blog, we’ve discussed China’s naval ambitions and more particularly the decision by the PLA naval forces to build or acquire a flattop of their own. And they’ve already begun getting some of the experience they need – courtesy of China’s new best friends, the Brazilians.
From a June 17 posting on Strategy Page:
Brazil has agreed to a deal where Chinese sailors will learn aircraft carrier operating skills on the Brazilian Navy’s carrier, the “Sao Paulo.” Nine years ago Brazil bought the 32,000 ton French aircraft carrier Foch (which was still in service) for $12 million, updated it and renamed it. The navy has not been able to get much cash out of the government to further refurbish the 46 year old Sao Polo, and apparently the Chinese deal will change that.
The “Sao Paolo” was headed for decommissioning, and has been used mainly to train carrier pilots for the last few years. The “Sao Paolo” entered service
in 2000, and the Brazilians retired the ” Minas Gerais”, a World War II era (British) Colossus Class carrier a year later (after 40 years of service). So the Brazilians have a long tradition of carrier operations, and sufficient experienced carrier sailors to teach the Chinese some useful things. Brazil has long been the only South American nation to operate a carrier.
The Sao Polo has a crew of 1,900 and was designed to carry 35 warplanes (smaller, older models like the A-4) and four helicopters. This load can vary depending on aircraft type.
While the Sao Paulo is roughly the size of the old US Essex-class carriers, it is by no means as capable. However, learning air ops – and practicing takeoffs and landings – on a small deck is very good practice. Until its retirement in 1991, the US Navy used the Essex-class carrier Lexington as a training carrier, operating out of Pensacola. Entire generations of US naval aviators learned – and until the mid-1970s practiced – their trade on small decks.
But the Chinese want a carrier for the simple fact that it is the most flexible implement devised to project power around the world. And in spite of its vulnerabilities, it only becomes more capable as time goes on.
Even the British are getting back into the traditional carrier game. Since they retired the old Ark Royal – their remaining 
conventional carrier – in 1978, they’ve made do with smaller carriers designed to accommodate Harriers and helicopters. The Falklands War demonstrated the limitations of these vessels in winning air superiority against even the Argentine air force. So, the British are at long last stepping up. The two projected Queen Elizabeth class ships will be 65,000 ton behemoths designed to field the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter entering service.
Like I said, everybody wants one.
