Hongjian
Posts: 834
Joined: 1/2/2015 Status: offline
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http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/0928/c90000-9121141.html quote:
Chinese navy to receive first sailing training ship 'Polang' A formation ceremony for a new navy fleet was held in Guangzhou, Guangdong province on Sept. 26. Within the new fleet is China's first sailing training ship, "Polang." The fleet is responsible for maintaining naval culture, instructing naval officers on sailing and carrying out international military exchanges. The ship is numbered “86,” and its name, “Polang,” means to brave the wind and have high ambitions. The ship is 85 meters long, 11 meters wide, with 1,200 tons of standard displacement. It is capable of accommodating 50 naval students at a time.The construction of Polang began in May 2016, and was carried out by the Guangzhou Shipyard International Company. The ship will be completed in 18 months, and will set sail by the end of 2017. At present, Polang's future staff has already been selected. The ship will be used mainly by naval academy students to conduct trainings in mast climbing, sailing, navigation and more. Hou Zhixin, the first political commissar of Polang, emphasized that the classic type of training Polang facilitates is essential and irreplaceable for naval students. the CDF blog provides some more information: http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-plan-will-get-two-new-training-ships.html quote:
The PLAN will get two new training ships. The first one is the "Break Waves", PLAN's first ever sail-training-ship with three masted square rigger, similar that of RNOV Shabab Oman. Construction started May this year in Guangzhou and expected to launch second half of 2017. The "Break Waves" will bear the pennant number of "86" and serve under the Dalian Naval Academy. Personally, I prefer to see a Zheng He treasure ship replica in service with the PLAN over a more "Western" design. China's maritime tradition is just as proud as the next guy, but hey that's just me. Overall: 85 m Beam: 11 m Speed: 18 kn Displacement: 1200 t Midshipmen: 50
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