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Rumors about China’s fourth aircraft carrier

Recent satellite images at the military airbase China (PLA) led experts to believe that China has begun preparing to train pilots for the fourth aircraft carrier.

Rumors about China's fourth aircraft carrier - photo 1
Two gray ones are FC-31, left is J-15

Maxar Technologies

China is developing Type 003, the third and largest aircraft carrier in the country. It is expected that sea trials will take place soon. However, it remains unclear whether China has embarked on the construction of a fourth aircraft carrier Type 004.

Satellite images taken in March by Maxar Technologies show two FC-31 Gyrfalcon stealth fighters parked next to a number of aircraft carrier J-15s at a PLA training base in Liaoning province. The base is called the Naval Aviation Test and Training Complex. This image allows for a first-time comparative look at the two types of aircraft, according to the newspaper South China Morning Post (SCMP) May 1st.

The FC-31 duo, which according to China is the 5th generation fighter, has a shorter appearance than the J-15 series. The newspaper quoted experts military that the simultaneous appearance of two aircraft shows that the FC-31 may be the next fighter for the aircraft carrier after the J-15 has been deployed to the Liaoning and Shandong.

Besides, this is likely a sign that China is preparing to deploy its fourth aircraft carrier.

China plans to have at least four aircraft carrier battle groups by 2030 and become the second largest modern blue-water navy. worldjust behind the US.

Like a ship Liaoning and Shandong, the Type 003 is still diesel-powered, while the next one could be equipped with nuclear reactors, according to military experts.

Satellite images show the naval pilot training site in Liaoning equipped with Soviet-designed catapults and ramps simulating slideways, matching the flat flight decks commonly found on aircraft carriers fly US.

Social network China has spread rumors that FC-31 may be the line that will implement Type 003. However, SCMP Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that J-15 is still the choice of Type 003.

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