China’s third aircraft carrier could launch this year – but still needs the right jets
- Satellite images show construction has progressed considerably, with flight deck, superstructure and edges nearly complete
- But the jets developed so far do not match the Chinese military’s requirements, insider says
It said the images, captured by Maxar Technologies on Monday, showed construction of the carrier’s flight deck, basic superstructure and edges was nearly complete, indicating the platform could be launched this year.
The CSIS estimated that the ship was 318 metres long, a few metres shorter than the United States’ retired Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carrier – comparable because, like the Type 003, it was conventionally powered, rather than nuclear-powered like the newer US carriers. The Type 003 had three catapult-assisted launch channels on its flight deck, compared with the Kitty Hawk-class ships’ four, the CSIS added.
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“The J-15 will be used for several years, because Chinese aircraft engineers so far failed to deliver a next-generation carrier-based fighter jet,” Li said.