Why do China and other powers still want aircraft carriers?

Drone swarms and stealth submarines are playing a growing role in modern warfare, yet aircraft carriers remain a symbol of military might.

That can be seen in China’s investment in the warships, as well as other countries including France, Turkey, India and Japan.

China’s naval fleet has been expanding at a rapid pace, with its fourth aircraft carrier fast taking shape, according to the latest satellite images of the shipyard in Dalian in the country’s northeast, where it is being built.

Those images show the bow and stern of the Type 004 carrier – which is expected to be nuclear-powered and have electromagnetic catapults – have already been constructed.

Washington-based think tank the Centre for Strategic and International Studies said the vessel could have four aircraft launch catapults and a third aircraft elevator. That would allow for faster aircraft launches, bringing it closer to the launching capacity of America’s most advanced aircraft carriers.

Recent conflicts have shown that large surface warships are vulnerable to drones and missiles.

South China Morning Post