The giant from the East is flexing its muscles: Satellite imagery reveals that China is very close to launching an innovative aircraft carrier, which will be almost equal in capabilities to those manufactured by the United States, the Center for International and Strategic Research in Washington reveals.
The research institute claims that according to the analysis of the satellite images, the aircraft carrier that is being built at the Jingnan shipyards in Shanghai will be ready for launch as early as February.
The vessel, which was given only the mysterious name Model-003, is structurally ready and lacks systems such as radar, cannons and anti-aircraft weapons.
Meanwhile in #China
assembly of 3rd (type 003) aircraft carrier is in full swing.
Launching is expected at the end of this year or next year, until the start of which there are only 2 mons left.
Known parameters
- it will have 3 catapults, reportedly electromagnetic.
- Wt 85K t pic.twitter.com/Gp2nUaHvZ1
- Su-57 5th Gen Fighter (@ 5thSu) November 1, 2021
This is a huge leap forward for the Chinese, who in the past bought from Russia obsolete aircraft carriers that did not fit into the superpower's air fleet and discovered many technical flaws.
The new ship will allow the launch of advanced fighter jets made in China and will include special launchers that will help the planes take off from its relatively short runway.
American aircraft carrier profiled used for assault training in China, Photo: AFP
It is the first aircraft carrier to be entirely designed and built in China and its level of performance will attest to the quality of the country's military industry.
The United States aircraft carrier fleet is a huge military advantage of the superpower over China and the country has been preparing for years to deal with this advantage.
Earlier this week it was revealed that China used huge models in the form of American aircraft carriers during a military exercise it conducted in deserts in the west of the country.
The exercise included missile fire and airstrikes on aircraft carrier models, presumably in preparation for a possible confrontation with the U.S. Navy.
In a speech last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping threatened to "crush" any possibility of Taiwanese independence and warned that the military option was not out of the question.
In recent months, China has carried out a series of flights during which dozens of Chinese Air Force planes infiltrated Taiwan's security zone, including nuclear bombers.
The Chinese military has practiced amphibious landings on the country's shores, signaling in preparation for a possible attack on Taipei territory.