China has confirmed it is building a 4th aircraft carrier, with a Chinese admiral smiling and saying an announcement will come “soon” on the new carrier.
This would make China’s carrier fleet the second largest behind the US and represent a major advancement as the 4th carrier may be China’s first nuclear-powered surface ship.
China currently has 3 aircraft carriers – Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian. The announcement of a 4th carrier continuing expanding China’s growing naval capabilities.
For a country to truly match the US Navy’s capabilities it needs nuclear-powered carriers, as nuclear power gives unlimited range and maneuverability. The US has 7 nuclear carriers in the Pacific.
Analysts say China will likely build several more carriers in the coming decades as it seeks to match and eventually surpass US carrier strength in the Pacific as part of its military modernization and expanding global influence.
Source: popularmechanics
