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China’s aircraft carriers
ChinaMilitary

Is China ready for aircraft carrier No 4? Talk swirls over stealth fighter jets at PLA naval base

  • Satellites spot FC-31 stealth fighters lined up next to J-15 carrier-based fighter jets at Liaoning naval airbase
  • Joint appearance could indicate preparations for a fourth PLA aircraft carrier, say experts

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The dark grey livery of the two FC-31s identified them as stealth warplanes. Photo: Twitter
Minnie Chan
Recent images of a stealth fighter jet at a naval airbase suggest China has begun pilot training preparations for a fourth aircraft carrier, defence experts say.
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China is known to be developing its third and largest carrier, the Type 003, with sea trials expected soon. Whether work has started on a Type 004 is not yet clear.

Satellites in March spotted two FC-31 Gyrfalcon stealth fighters lined up alongside several J-15 carrier-based fighter jets at the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) flight training facility in Liaoning province, offering a comparative view of the two models for the first time.

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China ramps up training of carrier fighter jet pilots to bolster PLA navy

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The two FC-31s – fifth-generation stealth aircraft – appeared to be slightly shorter than the J-15s, with their dark grey livery identifying them as stealth warplanes.

Their appearance side by side hinted that the FC-31 might also become a ship-borne fighter jet after the J-15, the “Flying Shark” strike fighter flown by China’s existing aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong.

The joint appearance of the FC-31 and J-15s could also be a sign that China was making operational preparations for a fourth aircraft carrier, defence experts and sources said.

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Sea trials for the Type 003 later this year are expected to serve as reference points for future Chinese aircraft carriers. China plans to build at least four aircraft carrier strike groups by 2030 to become the world’s second-biggest modern blue water navy after the United States.

02:03

Chinese PLA Navy crew on the aircraft carrier Liaoning conduct training exercises

Chinese PLA Navy crew on the aircraft carrier Liaoning conduct training exercises
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