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Shandong’s use of newest PLA dry dock near South China Sea suggests carrier milestone

China may avoid a ‘carrier gap’ and could support carrier operations along the Indian Ocean to the Middle East and beyond, analysts say

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Analysis by a US geospatial intelligence company says satellite imagery shows the first use by a Chinese aircraft carrier of a new dry dock near the South China Sea. Photo: AllSource Analysis
Seong Hyeon Choi
China’s new dry dock near the South China Sea could help it avoid having an aircraft carrier “gap” in the disputed waterway and pave the way for military outreach to the Indian Ocean, analysts said.
According to a report by American geospatial intelligence company AllSource Analysis, satellite imagery on January 21 showed the first use of a new dry dock at Yulin Naval Base in the southern Chinese province of Hainan, for the likely maintenance of PLA Navy aircraft carriers.
The report said China’s second aircraft carrier, the Shandong, entered the dry dock for the first time on January 20 or January 21, indicating an expansion of dock’s capabilities and marking a “milestone” for both the facility and People’s Liberation Army carrier operations.
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Construction of the Yulin Naval Base dry dock began in 2017. It became operational in 2022, but had not yet been used by aircraft carriers or vessels of similar tonnage, the AllSource report said.

“Traditionally, major repairs and overhauls for Chinese aircraft carriers were confined to the Dalian shipyard in northern China,” it said. “The ability to maintain and repair such large naval vessels in the South China Sea greatly improves the Chinese navy’s ability to sustain carrier operations in this critical theatre.”

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China’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, enters service

China’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, enters service

Dry docks are specialised basins that lift aircraft carriers out of the water for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of submerged, inaccessible parts, such as hulls, propellers and sea chests, ensuring operational readiness and longevity. They are essential for cleaning and repainting to prevent corrosion and carrying out complex overhauls.

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