China Begins Final Assembly Of Next Two Advanced Aircraft Carriers

Photos taken by military enthusiasts and posted on social media show the Type 002 aircraft carrier under construction in a dry dock in Jiangnan Shipyard outside Shanghai. Photo: Weibo

SCMP: China steps up shipbuilding with two more aircraft carriers under construction towards 2035 navy goal

* As China aims to equal US naval strength in the Pacific, its first domestically developed carrier begins final assembly process
* Type 002 vessels will have advanced electromagnetic aircraft launch system allowing faster and more frequent take-off

China is expected to launch its next-generation aircraft carrier within a year and construction on a sister ship for the new giant vessel has been hastened, two sources close to the projects said.

The Type 002 aircraft carrier – the country’s third carrier and the second to be domestically developed – has started the final assembly process, two independent sources told the South China Morning Post.

“Assembly of the new aircraft carrier has begun and is expected to be completed in the first half of next year, because the Covid-19 pandemic slowed down progress,” said the first source, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

“Workers are also starting the keel-laying for the new carrier’s sister ship. Both ships have been built by the Jiangnan Shipyard outside Shanghai.” Laying the keel is deemed the official start of construction on a new ship.

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Update #1: Photos: China Begins Final Assembly of Next Two Advanced Aircraft Carriers, Aims for 2021 Delivery (Sputnik)
Update #2: China ramps up construction of 3rd, 4th aircraft carriers: Report (The Week)

WNU Editor: The delivery date for the first aircraft carrier is later next year.