China’s Aircraft Carrier Ambitions

Authors

Ian Storey
You Ji

Abstract

For more than a decade there have been persistent reports that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) intends to acquire an aircraft carrier force as part of its ambition to achieve “blue-water” (high seas) naval capability. Some reports suggest that China plans to refit one or more aircraft carriers from the former Soviet Union or other countries. Others claim that China has investigated the possibility of buying a light aircraft carrier from a European shipbuilder. Other reports suggest China has already made the decision to build two or three indig- enous carriers and has even allocated funding for the program.

Recommended Citation

Storey, Ian and Ji, You (2004) "China’s Aircraft Carrier Ambitions," Naval War College Review: Vol. 57: No. 1, Article 8.
Available at: https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/nwc-review/vol57/iss1/8