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Liu Zhen

China might have a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the water by 2025 to bolster its maritime defences, according to the country’s main supplier of warships.
China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), which refitted China’s first aircraft carrier and built its second, did not specify which vessel it was referring to, but a statement on its website on Tuesday was the company’s first confirmation that a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was in the works.
China’s two existing aircraft carriers use conventional oil power.
CSIC also said it was working on a new type of nuclear submarine, submarine artificial intelligence combat systems and a “comprehensive electronic information system” for maritime battles.
China has started building its third aircraft carrier, military sources say
The South China Morning Post reported earlier that China was installing AI systems on its nuclear submarines as part of computer upgrades to aid decision-making.
“We must … provide high-quality weapons and equipment for the navy’s strategic transformation towards a blue-water force in 2025,” CSIC said. “China’s security environment is undergoing deep changes, and maritime security threats are on the rise.”

But CSIC updated the statement on Wednesday, saying only that it was working on “some key technologies”.
Beijing-based naval specialist Li Jie said there were several technical barriers to building a nuclear carrier but they could be overcome by 2025.
“The engineers have got experience with nuclear engines on submarines, but plenty of work still needs to be done to apply that to big vessels,” Li said.
“France has showed that it’s not simply a matter of installing more reactors. It has to be redesigned and China has to overcome all the difficulties on its own.”
Chinese navy trains more fighter pilots for expanded aircraft carrier fleet
He said the engineers had to work out how to handle the radioactive materials and resolve various safety issues.
The US is the only country with mature nuclear technology powering bigger vessels. It has one Ford-class and 10 Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in service and one more Ford-class vessel under construction.
France is the only other country with a nuclear-powered carrier – the Charles de Gaulle – but that has been plagued by engine problems.

Nevertheless, China will need to go down the nuclear power route if its aircraft carriers are to be able to go on long missions on the high seas. Nuclear power will also be key to firing up an advanced electromagnetic aircraft launch system, in contrast to the ski-jump launches now in use.
China’s first carrier, the Liaoning, is a Soviet Kuznetsov-class vessel bought from Ukraine in 1998 and refitted at CSIC’s Dalian shipyard. It entered service in 2012.
What are the differences between China’s two aircraft carriers?
The shipyard then used the Liaoning to build China’s first home-made carrier, the type 001A, which was launched in April. The vessel is being fitted out and expected to be handed over around 2020.
According to a report last month, the Jiangnan shipyard in Shanghai, a subsidiary of China’s other major shipbuilder China State Shipbuilding Corporation, was close to completing a dry dock for China’s third carrier, which will also be conventionally powered.


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China's first home-grown aircraft carrier under construction at the Dalian shipyard. Photo: Weibo

The People's Liberation Army Navy aircraft carrier Liaoning enters Hong Kong waters from southern Hong Kong. Photos taken from Ap Lei Chau. 07JUL17. SCMP / Sam Tsang

(FILES) - A picture taken 26 April 2001 off Toulon, southern France, shows French aircaft carrier Charles de Gaulle. The aircraft carrier, which building started 15 years ago, passed the last tests, and will come into service 18 May 2001. AFP PHOTO ERIC ESTRADE

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China's first domestically built aircraft carrier during a launching ceremony in Dalian in April. It is expected to go into full service later this year. Photo: Reuters

(170711) -- HONG KONG, July 11, 2017 (Xinhua) -- China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, leaves after wrapping up a five-day visit to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), south China, July 11, 2017. A departure ceremony was held at the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison by the HKSAR government. (Xinhua/Zeng Tao) (zkr)

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Technology key to sending the vessels on long missions but many barriers still to be overcome, analyst says
