“Mysterious and Unusual Ship”.. Satellite Images Taken in China Baffle Experts

American network CNN reported that China appears to be building a “new and unusual” aircraft carrier, which is piquing the curiosity of experts. The source stated that satellite images from Planet Labs show a large, flat-topped ship under construction at the international shipyard in Guangzhou on China’s Longxue Island.

Unusual Shape and Size

Thomas Shugart, a former US Navy submarine commander, was quoted saying that the potential new aircraft carrier has a “somewhat unusual shape and size (much smaller than previous Chinese naval aircraft carriers).”

Is it the First Civilian Aircraft Carrier?

He added, “But the ship is even smaller than the Type 075 amphibious assault ships used by the Chinese Navy, suggesting that China may be building the world’s first ostensibly civilian aircraft carrier, as some type of ocean research vessel.”

The new ship was first reported by The War Zone. CNN explained that China has recently produced advanced warships at an increasing pace, often matching the technology of American aircraft carriers.

The aircraft carrier “Fujian” (China’s largest and most advanced aircraft carrier to date) went to sea for its first trials earlier this year, and experts say it could join the Chinese Navy fleet by 2026.

Helicopter or Drone Carrier

The construction of a new type of aircraft carrier in southern China could indicate another shift towards Beijing’s announced military-civil fusion strategy, which uses civilian ships for dual military purposes.

Karl Schuster, former operations director at the US Pacific Command Joint Intelligence Center, mentioned that the ship could “provide a low-cost addition to the operational capabilities of the Chinese Navy.” He added, “Due to its light construction, the ship could serve as a helicopter or drone carrier for the Chinese Coast Guard, which is increasingly being deployed as a paramilitary force.”