China's homemade carrier, known as Type 001A, at the Dalian Shipyard after it returned from its second sea trial. Photo: Weibo via VCG
Asia Times: China may boost carrier fleet to seven by mid-2020s: expert
Three to four big carriers plus amphibious assault ships as mini carriers may enable Beijing to challenge US primacy
The Liaoning is the People’s Liberation Army’s sole operational aircraft carrier at present, but Beijing plans to add three more carriers to the PLA naval fleet by 2025 and may also deploy three amphibious assault ships capable of carrying combat aircraft.
That is the observation by Abraham Ait, a military analyst and founder of Military Watch Magazine, who noted in The Diplomat that following the 2012 launch of the Liaoning, three new carriers could already be in various stages of testing or construction.
China’s first homemade carrier is now undergoing sea trials after its maiden voyage in May. It was modeled after the somewhat antiquated Soviet-built Liaoning and is only referred to as Type 001A.
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WNU Editor: The Chinese may not get their wish .... Trade tensions with the United States blow hole in budget for China’s newest aircraft carrier (SCMP).
