China is said to be building a massive nuclear-powered aircraft carrier of the fourth generation to add to its fleet.
According to a local news report on 4 March, the ship will be unlike any other aircraft carrier currently in China’s fleet.
A major shift in naval power
China has been improving its navy as well as every sector of its defense and economy, as seen by the technological breakthroughs recorded in the country. The new aircraft carrier is however taking the naval power to the next level.
China currently operates three aircraft carriers, with the latest addition being the Fujian, a Type 003 supercarrier with three electromagnetic catapults designed to launch jets.
According to analysts, images from the Dalian shipbuilding facility where the carrier is being built suggests that China is taking its carrier capabilities to another level.
A researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies also said that the satellite images suggest that China is preparing for a fourth-generation carrier, likely the Type 004, with four catapults instead of the usual three.
The goal may be to launch more jets at once, which will demand that the ship be significantly larger than the Fujian, requiring a nuclear-powered reactor for propulsion.
Giant strides
China has taken giant steps towards boosting its military technology lately. It launched the world’s largest amphibious assault ship in a show of military might last year.
More recently, the country announced it is ready to offer global remote sensing services through its satellite constellations.
With similar major breakthroughs in research and military technology, China is getting set to compete with top powers like the U.S. and Russia in military might, something that is becoming more relevant as the world tends to be preparing towards an upcoming war although nobody knows when.
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