Satellite images revealed that a Chinese aircraft carrier with technology "almost equivalent to its American counterparts" could start operating in February next year, according to an analysis of the images provided by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and published by the American network CNN, on Tuesday.
The tanker, known until now as "Type 003", is located in the Jiangnan Shipyard, in Shanghai.
Analysts believe that only a few additional equipment remains, such as radar and weapons systems, before the ship can descend into the Yangtze River.
CNN reported that based on the available information and significant progress in Jiangnan, analysts estimate that the Type 003 will be launched in about three to six months.
Two large hatches are still visible on the deck of the Model 003 in Tire from September 2021, according to the center.
China currently has two aircraft carriers, one of which is Chinese-made, but experts believe that the new carrier will include more advanced aircraft launch technology.
The new launchers will allow Chinese forces to launch a wider range of aircraft faster and carry more ammunition.
China, according to a colleague at the Research Center, Matthew Funaiol, has the largest naval power in the world, and the new tanker will be "the first breakthrough of the Chinese army in relation to a modern aircraft carrier," considering it "an important step forward."
"The value of aircraft carriers is not only limited to military capability, but also has great value in terms of 'imposing diplomatic prestige and a show of force'", says Funayol.
He added, "China wants to have world-class naval forces, and it is trying to convince countries across the region, or around the world, that it is on an equal footing with the United States," adding, "The symbol of American naval power internationally is its fleet of aircraft carriers."
China bought its first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, an unfinished Soviet-era ship, from Ukraine in 1998, and completed its modernization and operation in 2012.
China used this tanker technology to build the tanker, Shandong, which entered service in December 2019.
The two tankers were based on less advanced Soviet technology, and have a less advanced aircraft launch system than the American "catapult" system, which allows planes to carry more ammunition and fuel.
It appears that the new tanker has the same catapult technology as the United States, and may even have an electromagnetic launcher system, bypassing the steam-based launch systems still in use on nearly most American ships, Funayol said.
With the new launch system, China could send new formations of aircraft to sea, including airborne early warning and control aircraft, tankers, and electronic jamming aircraft.
However, despite the advanced launch system, Funayol said there are still signs that the Chinese carrier is lagging behind its US counterparts, which, for example, have more elevators to allow for a faster deployment.
All US aircraft carriers are nuclear-powered, while the Type 003 is believed to be powered by conventional steam propulsion, which Funayol said would limit its range.
According to analysts, there is one major factor that will enable the US fleet to remain superior to the Chinese fleet for the foreseeable future, which is practice and experience, as the United States has operated aircraft carriers since before World War II.
China's newest aircraft carrier
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