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Ukraine war lessons spur China military shipbuilding surge: experts
- Satellite images confirm reports shipyards are rushing to complete aircraft carrier and other warships delayed by pandemic
- Russia’s exposed weakness piles pressure on PLA Navy to be ready for any change in status quo on Taiwan, analysts say
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The war in Ukraine has increased Beijing’s sense of urgency to prepare for any change to Taiwan’s status quo, according to analysts, with satellite imagery confirming mainland China has stepped up efforts to get its military shipbuilding schedule back on track.
Recent pictures from commercial satellites show construction has resumed at a rapid pace at several shipyards run by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) conglomerate.
The PLA Navy’s schedule was disrupted by persistent Covid-19 outbreaks around the country, including Shanghai which has been in lockdown since March, delaying delivery of its third aircraft carrier.
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The Type 003 carrier missed its launch date of April 23, the navy’s 73rd anniversary, and there have also been delays to other warships budgeted for in Beijing’s 14th five-year plan, from 2021 to 2025.
Work on the Type 003 restarted at Shanghai’s Jiangnan shipyard in late April, with strict pandemic management measures for its nearly 4,000 employees.
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A recent satellite image showed work on the carrier is almost complete. Its three catapults – the electromagnetic aircraft launch systems – can be seen still covered by environmental shelters.
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