It kinda reminds me of what the PLAN have done with their submarine fleet, they'd get a couple of originals from the Soviets, Foxtrots and the like, and then produce their own home-baked version which usually, due to manufacturing issues, was just below par with the original, but it encouraged home industry and they learnt. Several years on and their fleet is starting to take shape. I think their next project is a home grown carrier based on what they've learnt from the Varyag, although I think that the original casino plans for her were scrapped and now she's going to be the PLANs first operational carrier.
But I digress, and I'm not entirely surprised, we saw the migration of business to Europe long ago in the UK with the various sell-outs and fold-ups of our own companies. The competition in the market is pretty intense, particularly with China growing stronger and more self-sufficient in designs, and so you've got to go where the money is.
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