What's Up?

The Chinese seem to have an interest in carriers despite their failure to do anything concrete. Despite rumors over the last several years that the Chinese might have a couple carrier battlegroups by 2008 or so, it sure doesn't seem like they are close.

But the Chinese are looking at Russian carrier aircraft:

Near the end of October, Russia's Kommersant newspaper revealed that Russian state-run weapon exporter Rosoboronexport is completing negotiations with China to deliver up to 48 Sukhoi SU-33 (NATO codename: Flanker-D) carrier-capable fighter aircraft in a purchase deal reportedly worth $2.5 billion.

Carrier aircraft should mean actual carriers. Bears watching.