Revealed: China's Third-Generation Aircraft Carrier

Published Jun 25, 2018 2:20 PM by The Maritime Executive

In an "inadvertent" social post last week, leading shipbuilder China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) published an image of China's third aircraft carrier, revealing new details of its design and capabilities. The illustration appeared in the background of a photo taken at the firm's No. 701 Research Institute, and the image has since been removed from CSIC's social media account on WeChat, suggesting an attempt at secrecy. However, semi-official newspaper Global Times publicized the post in an online piece, and coverage also appeared on the home page of the People's Liberation Army website, along with a reproduction of the "leaked" photo.

Ex-PLA defense expert Song Zhongping told Global Times that the illustration showed that the the third carrier will be equipped with an electromagnetic aircraft launch system - a technology that is still being developed by the U.S. Navy - and will be powered by conventional propulsion. His analysis confirms earlier reports that CSIC would combine these two technologies in the third-generation carrier, rather than making a leap directly to nuclear propulsion.

China's navy has two jump-ramp carriers at present, both based on the Soviet Admiral Kuznetsov-class platform, and it is widely believed to have one more under construction at CSIC's Shanghai yard. Zaobao reports that the third carrier will have a displacement of 80,000 tonnes, slightly more than the first-generation PLA(N) carrier Liaoning. It will begin sea trials by 2021.

A fourth, next-generation vessel is already in the works. CSIC announced in February that it intends to build the nation's first nuclear-powered carrier by 2025, and analysts believe that the PLA(N) would like to have four carrier battle groups in service by 2030. However, CSIC will move forward with its carrier program under a different executive team. Its general manager, Sun Bo, was placed under investigation by the Communist Party of China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) on June 16, sparking rumors about whether his removal was related to issues with China's recently-completed second carrier, the Type 001A. In a statement, the CCDI said that Sun is under investigation for “suspected serious violation of Party disciplinary rules and law." This allegation is typically used by CCDI to refer to cases involving corruption.