U.S. media speculation: Chinese new aircraft carriers will soon be launched

US \"Defense News\" Weekly Website June 7 article, original title: Carefully view the satellite images of Chinese new aircraft carriers ]

As experts believe that China ’s most advanced aircraft carrier so far will soon be launched, the Associated Press analyzed on the 3rd of satellite images found that the construction of this aircraft carrier seems to be close to approaching the approaching approaching Completed. The Jiangnan Shipyard, located in the northeast of Shanghai, began to build a newly developed 003 aircraft carrier in China since 2018. The satellite image taken by the planetary laboratory company on May 31 shows that the construction of the aircraft carrier is about to be completed. The launch of this aircraft carrier has been expected for a long time. From the perspective of the US Think Tank Strategy and International Issues Research Center (CSIS), its launching is not only \"a major moment in modernization in China\", but also \"this country is increasing day by day. One of the symbols of military strength \".

Although the US Department of Defense estimates that the aircraft carrier will not be fully put into use until 2024, because the extensive test must be conducted, this aircraft carrier is the most advanced aircraft carrier in China so far. Like the country's space plan, China also acts with caution in developing aircraft carriers and strives to use only testing and perfect technology. As China seeks expanding its influence in the region, the progress of the aircraft carrier has become part of China ’s broader military modernization. From the perspective of the number of warships, China has the world's largest navy, but there is still a gap with the US Navy in terms of strength. From the perspective of other assets, the U.S. Navy is still a global leader in the field of aircraft carrier and can convene 11 nuclear -powered aircraft carriers.

China's new type of aircraft carrier in China is increasingly concerned about the area including the South China Sea. The Chinese Navy was mainly a close -to -coastal force, but in recent years, its scope of activities has expanded to the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and further waters, and established the first overseas guarantee base in African -African countries Gilguti. This aircraft carrier is the second domestic aircraft carrier built after the current type of 002 aircraft carrier is currently undergoing a sea test.

The U.S. Department of Defense stated in the annual China Military Report last November that in addition to the largest among three aircraft carriers in China, the 003 aircraft carrier is also equipped with a ejection system, which will make it make the It \"can support more fighter aircraft, fixed wing early warning aircraft, and faster flight operations, thereby expanding the scope and effectiveness of carrier -based aircraft.\"

Author Jon Gambrier, etc., Wang Huicong translated