A Chinese site of military enthusiasts (strange the timing after the events occurred in the Spratly Islands), he came into possession of a photo that immortalizes the works that are taking place in the Delian shipyard, for what is considered the first aircraft carrier built in China.
The photo shows a new section of what would appear to be a hangar and a flight deck. Just the shape of the last module, which occupies part of the ship in width, would confirm the typology of the platform that could be both an aircraft carrier and an amphibious assault ship. Only the installation of the flight deck (angled or not) will be able to resolve the doubts on the new carrier. In fact, the large section relating to the hangar as well as the flight deck are features of both platforms.
If it were an amphibious assault ship - added by IHS website of intelligence and analysis - it would be bigger than the American counterpart (which stands on the 45 thousand tons).
The rumors on the new Chinese aircraft carrier emerged last February and subsequently confirmed in July by the internal documents of the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. Work in the dry dock may have started at the beginning of the year, after the launch of a large commercial cargo ship. The subsequent satellite images, taken at the 27 February and the 10 March, highlighted activities in the Dailian construction site and the laying of enormous support blocks in the dry dock used for mounting the keel. Subsequent analyzes confirmed the construction of a hull.
Last April it was estimated that the vector was long from 150 to 170 meters and wide around 30. The images taken of the 22 last September have given greater awareness in the dimensions of the new boat. At that juncture the satellites also resumed a new section of stern and an elongated hull. Estimates brought the dimensions to 240 meters in length and 35 in width. Measurements retouched now estimated in 270 meters in length.
The only Chinese aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, entered service in the 2012. It is the second vector of the class Admiral Kuznetsov which dates back to the Soviet era. China bought the aircraft carrier from 60.000 tons from Ukraine in the 1998. Liaoning which, over the years, has been totally revised and modernized even though it is not yet considered fully operational (objective within the 2020). In fact, we know that the Chinese are also building a third aircraft carrier in the Shanghai area.
Once operational, aircraft carriers could greatly expand Beijing's ability to defend the territory beyond its borders.
