A strange new ship has appeared in China, and its design has people talking.
Footage of the vessel’s first voyage recently surfaced on Chinese social media, according to WP.
The ship looks like an aircraft carrier but has three superstructures instead of the usual one or two. This unusual design has led to speculation about what it might be used for.
The ship’s name and exact purpose remain unknown. It doesn’t carry any markings to suggest it belongs to the Chinese Navy, leaving open the possibility that it could have civilian or research functions.
Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship
The CSSC logo on its side, associated with the China State Shipbuilding Corporation, hints that it might be part of a research project.
The ship features chimneys on its third superstructure, which is located at the rear. It also has a split design with a flight deck and a hangar deck, similar to traditional aircraft carriers.
Reports suggest the vessel was launched in September or October of this year. Satellite images had shown it under construction earlier.
Some analysts believe it could be tied to a 2022 project ordered by the Chinese government. That order called for a multi-purpose amphibious assault ship with a flight deck and docking capabilities for landing craft.
The specifications included a length of 200 meters, a 25-meter-wide deck, and a range of 5,000 nautical miles. It was also designed to operate autonomously for up to 40 days.
Even with these clues, it isn’t certain that this ship is the result of that order. Defense Express, a military analysis outlet, noted the challenges in identifying Chinese vessels.
They described this as another example of the limited information available about China’s military and technological advancements.
