China secretly builds advanced aircraft carriers on par with the US?
China's top shipbuilder is developing a new aircraft carrier that will feature an advanced electromagnetic aircraft launch system, a feature currently exclusive to the USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy's most expensive aircraft carrier.
The information was published in both the Global Times newspaper and the English-language website of the Chinese military (PLA).
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| A mock-up of China's new, under-development aircraft carrier was unveiled at a meeting of the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. Photo: Global Times |
According to CNN, the information revolves around a photo "believed to be China's first aircraft carrier equipped with an electromagnetic aircraft launch system." The photo was released by the 701 Research Institute of the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation at a recent meeting.
In the photo, two aircraft carriers with their characteristic forward ramps for aircraft to take off are moving on either side of a larger warship with a flat deck.
Chinese media quoted military expert Song Zhongping as saying: "The three catapults on the deck indicate that the new warship will be able to launch aircraft into the air faster and more frequently than previous aircraft carriers. This ship will therefore possess stronger combat capabilities."
The Global Times speculates that the new aircraft carrier is being secretly built in Shanghai. If the information is correct, this will be China's second domestically built aircraft carrier, but the country's third aircraft carrier.
On May 13, China's first domestically built aircraft carrier, tentatively named Type 001A, officially began sea trials. The 50,000-ton vessel is expected to officially join the Chinese Navy before 2020.
China's homemade aircraft carrier Type 001A |
Although the Type 001A will significantly increase China's military power in the Asian region, analysts say its technology is still outdated and far behind the US aircraft carrier fleet, especially the "super aircraft carrier" USS Gerald R. Ford.
| America's most expensive "super aircraft carrier" USS Gerald R. Ford |
The US Navy currently has 11 nuclear aircraft carriers, more than any other country in the world. Among them, in addition to 10 aircraft carriers using steam piston aircraft launching technology, USS Gerald R. Ford is the only US aircraft carrier using an electromagnetic launch system, helping fighter jets take off more quickly and conveniently from the deck as well as carrying more fuel and ammunition.
The Pentagon has planned to equip the next generation of aircraft carriers in the Ford class, including the USS John F Kennedy and USS Enterprise, with this advanced technology.
If the Global Times information is verified, China will be the second country in the world to deploy advanced electromagnetic aircraft launch technology, on par with US aircraft carriers.
