China Has Started To Build Its Third Aircraft Carrier

China's first domestically built aircraft carrier during a launching ceremony in Dalian in April. It is expected to go into full service later this year. Photo: Reuters

South China Morning Post: China has started building its third aircraft carrier, military sources say

Work on the vessel, which will use a hi-tech launch system, began at a Shanghai shipyard last year but it is not known when it will be completed.

China started building its third aircraft carrier – with a hi-tech launch system – at a Shanghai shipyard last year, according to sources close to the People’s Liberation Army.

One of the sources said Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard Group was given the go-ahead to begin work on the vessel after military leaders met in Beijing following the annual sessions of China’s legislature and top political advisory body in March.

“But the shipyard is still working on the carrier’s hull, which is expected to take about two years,” the source said. “Building the new carrier will be more complicated and challenging than the other two ships.”

China has been trying to build up a blue-water navy that can operate globally and support its maritime security, but it so far has only one aircraft carrier, the Liaoning – a repurposed Soviet ship it bought from Ukraine that went into service in 2012.

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Update #1: China Begins Construction of Third Domestically Made Aircraft Carrier (Sputnik)
Update #2: China is building a third aircraft carrier, according to military sources (China Economic Review)

WNU Editor: The Chinese are also training the navy fighter pilots that they will need .... Chinese navy trains more fighter pilots for expanded aircraft carrier fleet (SCMP)