| Soviet Aircraft Carrier Varyag |
| China's First Carrier Fleet? |
| If China does have an aircraft carrier for military use, the one and only vessel is docked at Dalian Port. The Soviet built hulk was purchased from the Ukraine a few years ago. Speculation has ranged from it being used as a floating theme park, or the basis for China's first Aircraft Carrier Group. However, even if the Varyag (its Chinese name is unknown, if one even exists yet) sits in drydock, the mystery surrounding it is worth more than the ship itself. These photos were taken over an eight month period. Even though the carrier was under tight security, I manage to cross the entire port and walk right up to its entryway. (Note: it is usually a good idea not to approach armed guards, so I generally recommend others do not attempt this when visiting Dalian). |
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| View from Dalian World Trade Center: Original Location - 2004 October 13 |
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| View from Dalian World Trade Center: Original Location - 2004 October 13 |
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| View from Dockside: Original Location - 2005 January 25 |
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| View from Dockside: Original Location - 2005 January 25 |
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| View from Dockside: Original Location - 2005 January 25 |
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| View from Dalian World Trade Center: New Location - 2005 May 02 |
| Background of the Varyag |
| Varyag was designed to be a Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier. She was known as Riga when construction began at the former Nikolayev Shipyard on 6 December 1985. She was launched on 4 December 1988, and later renamed Varyag (meaning Viking) in late 1990. By 1992 construction was haulted, leaving the ship structurally complete but without electronics. Ownership was transferred to the Ukraine as the Soviet Union broke up. The ship was set aside and left unmaintained, then later stripped. In early 1998, she lacked engines, a rudder, and much of her operating systems. The Varyag was put up for auction and sold for $20 million USD to a small Hong Kong company. However, it was not until November 2001 that permission was granted to transport the vessel. After a slow and dangerouse passage, starting at the Strait of Istanbul and going around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, the Varyag eventually arrived at the Dalian Shipyard on 3 March 2002 China continued to assert that the Varyag would be a floating casino. However, officials have later stated that she is being maintained for unspecified military purposes. |
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