China launches previously unknown aircraft carrier with civilian markings

An unidentified Chinese aircraft carrier. Source: TWZ

The Chinese shipyard Guangzhou Shipyard International has launched a new aircraft carrier of an unknown type, marking it with civilian markings.

Here's What We Know

The new ship has civilian markings and does not resemble any of the known types of ships of the People's Liberation Army Navy of China. This may indicate that it is being used as a technology demonstrator or research aircraft carrier.

Since 17 June 2015, all ships built in China must meet the minimum mobilisation requirements of the PLA Navy, so even a civilian ship can be used for military purposes during an armed conflict.

An unidentified Chinese aircraft carrier. Illustration: TWZ

The ship is marked with the inscription Zhong Chuan Zi Hao, which is probably the name of the ship. It can be seen as a platform for basing unmanned aircraft, a new type of universal amphibious assault ship, or an experimental platform for the development of deck-based aviation.

Planet Labs satellite imagery published by TWZ shows that the ship's construction began after May this year, and the launch took place between 10 September and 9 October.

The ship has three distinctive superstructures along the starboard side of the flight deck. The bow superstructure is equipped with a bridge and a mast that carries radars and other equipment. The central multi-storey superstructure has a closed mast structure with a spherical dome and an aft-facing bridge for flight operations. The aft superstructure contains exhaust pipes.

The ship has elevators for lifting aircraft from the hangars to the deck, a crane for handling boats and cargo, and a docking bay in the stern used for basing amphibious vehicles.

Source: TWZ