China begins installing upper modules on CATOBAR carrier

摘要

Significant developments are occurring within some of the People's Liberation Army Navy's major procurement programmes. At the Jiangnan Changxingdao shipyard near Shanghai, upper hull elements of China's first conventionally powered aircraft carrier configured for catapult-assisted take-off but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) flight operations are being installed, providing insight into the expected construction timeline. Assembly of the carrier, which is commonly referred to as the Type 003, began within a dry dock at Jiangnan Changxingdao by 2 July 2020. Satellite imagery captured in January indicates that the lower hull module assembly is largely complete, with upper hull modules in the process of being installed. Following the completion of the upper hull, installation of the carrier's flight deck and superstructure would need to be completed prior to the hull being launched.