The report states that the company’s “priority missions” are to build nuclear submarines and an aircraft carrier. It also mentions that progress on these projects has been steady.
The new carrier fleet will significantly expand the capabilities of the People’s Republic of China for the protection of its interests beyond its borders, experts said, referring to the disputed territories in the South China Sea.
According to official data, China bought the carrier for the organization of a floating hub, but after a series of tests and repairs, the ship was handed over to the Navy under the name of “Lyaolin” bearing the serial number 16.
According to the Pentagon, by 2030 Beijing expects to expand the fleet in East China and South China Sea by four to six aircraft carriers groups.
The Pentagon report goes on to mention that China’s home-based carriers “would be capable of improved endurance and of carrying and launching more varied types of aircraft, including electronic warfare, early warning, and anti-submarine, thus increasing the potential striking power of a PLA Navy ‘carrier battle group’ in safeguarding China’s interests in areas outside its immediate periphery,” media reports.
