Summary
Satellite images suggest China is developing a massive nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, potentially matching the size and capabilities of U.S. supercarriers, analysts told NBC News.
The ship, possibly the Type 004, appears to feature four electromagnetic catapults for launching fighter jets, a design shift from China’s current fleet.
Experts say this move aligns with China’s goal of building a “blue-water navy” to rival the U.S.
While Beijing has not confirmed the project, U.S. officials view China’s military expansion as a strategic challenge in the Indo-Pacific.
Just to put this into perspective: There are 13 ships comparable to US “Aircraft Carriers” on the planet. The US operates 11 of them. France has one. China is building one.
There are an additional 38 ships on the planet designed to carry aircraft, but with less than half the capacity of actual carriers. The world calls them carriers; the US calls them “Amphibious Assault Ships” and operates 9.
If we remove all 11 US “Aircraft Carriers”, its 9 Amphibious Assault Ships still carry more than twice as many aircaft as the entire Chinese Navy.
The real advantage of CATOBAR carriers is the ability to deploy heavily loaded, long-range strike aircraft and large support aircraft, like the Hawkeye, Growler, buddy tankers, etc.
STOBAR and STOVL carriers are reliant on land-based support aircraft.