China's Third Aircraft Carrier to Enter Service as Early as 2024

Chinese Media Cite US CSIS Satellite Images, Basic Upper Structures of Aircraft Carrier Deck Completed
Significant Enhancement Expected in Chinese Navy's Indo-Pacific Power Upon Commissioning

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese media reported that China's third aircraft carrier will be launched within this year and could officially enter service as early as 2024. Based on recent satellite images of the third aircraft carrier released by the U.S. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Chinese media assessed that the construction speed is faster than initially expected.

According to Chinese media such as Sina on the 22nd, the U.S. Center for Strategic and International Studies recently released satellite photos of China's third aircraft carrier under construction at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai.

Photo by CSIS Capture

Chinese media reported that based on these satellite images, the deck and main superstructure of the third aircraft carrier are almost complete. They also assessed that the commissioning of the third aircraft carrier could be advanced by about a year from the originally expected 2025.

Chinese media evaluated that once the third aircraft carrier is commissioned, China will become a country possessing three aircraft carriers, significantly enhancing its maritime combat power in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated, based on satellite images taken on May 30, that the carrier's deck is nearly fully completed, with an estimated length of about 315 meters and a width of 74 meters (at the widest point). This is similar in size to the U.S. Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carriers.

Photo by Sinamang Capture

Unlike the ski-jump style of the Liaoning and Shandong carriers, it is expected that the third carrier will be equipped with an electromagnetic catapult launch system. It is also speculated that the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), applied to the latest U.S. Gerald R. Ford-class carriers, might be installed. With this system, early warning aircraft such as the KJ-600 can also be operated. China deployed the KJ-600, equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, into operational service last year.

The carrier's operational command tower is also expected to be improved compared to the existing Liaoning and Shandong carriers. The tower is presumed to be designed smaller to expand the space for carrier-based aircraft on the deck.

The U.S. Center for Strategic and International Studies evaluated that once China's third aircraft carrier is commissioned, it could significantly enhance the Chinese Navy's power in the Indo-Pacific region.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.