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China’s aircraft carriers
ChinaMilitary

Does Russia hold the key to China’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier?

  • The former Soviet Union developed nuclear technology for its biggest ships by testing it on icebreakers
  • Now China is hoping it can do the same

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The Liaoning is China’s first aircraft carrier. Photo: Felix Wong
Minnie Chan
China has invested heavily in the development of its aircraft carriers in recent years. Its first – the Liaoning – completed a major overhaul and upgrading programme in January, while its second – the home-grown Type 001A – is currently undergoing sea trials and could be ready to go into service by the end of the year.

A third carrier is also in development, though like its predecessors it will not be nuclear powered, and that, according to some, is where the problem lies.

Naval expert Li Jie said that to be truly competitive on the high seas, China’s military needed a ship capable of accommodating its J-15 fighters, and to do that took power, and lots of it.

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“China really needs a more powerful, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to catapult its superheavy carrier-based fighter jet, the J-15,” he said.

An artist’s impression of China’s third aircraft carrier, which is currently in development. Photo: Handout
An artist’s impression of China’s third aircraft carrier, which is currently in development. Photo: Handout
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Although China already has nuclear submarines, the systems they use are unsuitable for carriers as they are not powerful enough.

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