China’s Military Build-up Continues; Nation Refits Russian Aircraft Carrier

Concurrent with its economic boom, China is undergoing a military expansion of unprecedented proportions. The Trumpet has documented many of China‘s latest military developments and acquisitions. Last April, Beijing began work on its latest project when a former Russian aircraft carrier, Varyag, was dry-docked at China’s Dailian shipyard for major refitting.

Shrouded in speculation, the ultimate purpose of the aircraft carrier has not been revealed by the Chinese government, which is renowned for its lack of transparency. Regardless of whether the refitted carrier will enjoy civilian usage, be sold to another nation or become a new member of the Chinese Navy, it is evident that “the Chinese will gain valuable experience in aircraft carrier construction and operation from the refit, which will contribute to the overall modernization of Beijing’s military” (Stratfor, July 13, emphasis mine).

Although it is highly unlikely that China will sell the newly refitted Varyag (or convert it for civilian usage), even if the aircraft carrier was sold, the scenario would remain win-win for the Chinese.

The expertise required to refit and reconstruct aircraft carriers cannot be found at just any port. Few nations have aircraft carriers, let alone the competence and resources to construct one. Beijing’s new project is just as much an opportunity to gain knowledge and experience as it is to acquire a new piece of hardware.

The aircraft carrier is one of mankind’s greatest military developments. These floating cities allow nations to transport thousands of personnel across the oceans, as well as hundreds of planes and other pieces of hardware. Aircraft carriers are the wheelbarrows that carry a nation’s airforce to virtually any battlegound on Earth. The technological benefits and experience that China stands to gain from its recent remodeling project cannot be underestimated.

But by refitting the Russian-made aircraft carrier Varyag, Beijing gains an asset even more important than expertise and a new piece of naval hardware. This is also a prime opportunity for China to deepen its ties with Russia.

“The timing of the Varyag’s refit also could be related to recent improvements in Sino-Russian relations. … The renaissance of Sino-Russian cooperation could include provisions for Russian technical assistance in restoring the Varyag to some level of operational capacity. Helping the Chinese refit the Varyag also would represent a way that Russia would counter the U.S. geopolitical offensive in its periphery” (ibid.).

Watch for the success of the joint military exercises set to take place between Russia and China in August. We are witnessing an unprecedented surge in momentum in Sino-Russian relations.

As China swims in surplus cash earned from its immense exports, watch for the nation to push to acquire and construct more military hardware. Russia is China’s primary weapons supplier. It will remain so as Moscow seeks greater Chinese investment and Beijing remains in the hunt for Russian oil and weaponry.

The development of Sino-Russian relations is one of the most important trends you could watch for in the coming months and years.

China is already the economic nucleus of Asia. As Beijing’s military build-up continues and the nation develops strong ties with oil-rich Russia, be on the lookout for Asian nations, including Japan, to rally more intensely around this Asian hegemon.

The biblical passages of Ezekiel 38, Daniel 11 and Jeremiah 50 foretell this massive Russo-Asian alliance. To learn more, request our free booklet Russia and China in Prophecy.