China Advances its Naval Power with the Development of Fourth Aircraft Carrier

Defense News ,China :-  China is currently in the process of constructing its fourth aircraft carrier, aiming to rival the US fleet in the western Pacific, as revealed by a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy admiral during an annual legislative meeting in Beijing.

PLA Navy political commissar Yuan Huazhi asserted that progress on the development is on track, and he dispelled any concerns about encountering "technical bottlenecks." Addressing the public's curiosity, he hinted that details about whether the new carrier would be nuclear-powered, similar to advanced US Navy warships, will be disclosed soon.

The exclusive club of nuclear-powered carriers has, until now, included only the US and French navies, enabling them to undertake prolonged missions without the need for refueling. Yuan emphasized that the primary purpose of constructing these carriers is to safeguard China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Preceding the official announcement, online illustrations surfaced showcasing the ongoing construction of the fourth aircraft carrier at the Jiangnan shipyard in Shanghai.

The recent disclosure comes nearly two years after Beijing launched its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian. Despite being lauded as the country’s most advanced warship, the Fujian is not nuclear-powered due to reported limitations in Beijing's naval nuclear reactor technology during its development. Nevertheless, the carrier features advanced elements, including electromagnetic catapults and arresting devices, enabling the launch of heavier and larger fixed-wing aircraft. The Fujian is yet to undergo sea trials.

China's maritime ambitions align with its goal of establishing a modern, "blue-water" navy within the next decade. Blue-water status is attained when a maritime force is capable of sustained operations in deep waters, coupled with the deployment of multiple aircraft carriers projecting power far from home. Despite the PLA Navy's growing size, it is currently labeled as a "green-water navy," predominantly operating in proximity to its shores.