Navy Seeks To Deploy 4 Nuclear-Powered Carriers By 2035

Four of the six aircraft carriers that China intends to deploy by 2035 will be nuclear powered, military experts tell the South China Morning Post. 

The carriers will also employ an electromagnetic launch system similar to the U.S. EMALS, retired officer Wang Yunfei told the newspaper on Wednesday. 

After those ships enter service, the Type 001A and the still-under construction Type 002 would likely be phased out or relegated to supporting roles, with the nuclear carriers forming the core of the core four frontline battle groups.  

The Type 002 conventional carrier will be the first to be equipped with the electromagnetic launch system.

Economic slowdowns would not affect the funding of future aircraft carriers, Wang predicted. If need be, money would likely be redirected from other service branches to maintain naval development. 

China is also working to develop its own carrier-based jet, likely based on the FC-31 or J-20, said Wang. 

Engineers are working on a next-generation fighter that the retired officer described as a variant of the FC-31. 

The effort is part of Beijing's bid to reach parity with the U.S. military.