Is The Design Finalized For Chinese Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier (CVN)?

China-Defense Forum members were somewhat astounded today when pictures were released on Chinese internet forums of what is certainly a model of the first Chinese nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (CVN) on display at an official event in Zhongshan. While it being just a model might not seem that significant to many, there are telltales about the model in these pics that indicate it's genuine. In fact, it represents a final design for the new CVN has been approved by PLAN for production.

The design clarifies some previous questions: four catapults (presumably EMALS), no ski-jump, three elevators. It also appears to be a very large carrier in the NIMITZ/FORD Class displacement range.

The hull number 18 falls in line with previous expectations that the first "all-indigenous" Chinese carrier design would be nuclear-powered and is expected to be the "002 Class". As the currently in-service CV LIAONING is hull number 16, this seems to imply hull number 17 will be the 001A class, a Chinese-built KUZNETSOV-class CV.

People"s Liberation Army - Navy commissioned Type 056 Jiangdao Class corvette 586

New guided missile frigate commissioned in East China Sea Fleet

(Source: China Military Online)   2014-01-08

The ceremony for naming and presenting flag to the guided missile frigate Ji’an is held in Shanghai, Jan. 8, 2014. (Navy.81.cn / Dai Zongfeng)

       SHANGHAI,January 8 (ChinaMil) -- A commissioning, naming and flag-presenting ceremony for the new-type guided missile frigate “Ji’an” was held at a naval port in Shanghai on Wednesday morning. This is the first new-type guided missile frigate that is officially commissioned to a maritime garrison command of the East China Sea Fleet under the Navy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLAN).

　　The guided missile frigate Ji’an (hull No.586) belongs to a new-generation of light guided missile frigate developed independently by China. After commissioned to a maritime garrison command of the East China Sea Fleet, the warship will mainly undertake such missions as maritime patrol, ship escort. Besides, it can also conduct anti-submarine and anti-surface operations individually or coordinating with other forces.

　 　Ji’an City is famous for Jinggangshan Mountain, the birthplace of the Chinese Workers and Peasants’ Red Army, and one of the first-generation guided missile frigates of the PLAN was also named Ji’an (hull No. 518). The No. 518 frigate had served for 35 years with the total voyage of more than 200,000 sea miles before it retired in 2012.

　　Gu Xiangbing, deputy commander of the East China Sea Fleet under the PLAN, presented the army flag and issued the naming certificate to the ship.