China delays launch of Type 003 aircraft carrier for unknown reason – are technical problems at fault?
- The launch had been expected during Friday’s Dragon Boat Festival but was delayed for an unexplained reason
- Work on the carrier will continue and analysts say it will take years before the vessel is combat-ready
However, the Maritime Safety Administration did not issue any notice on Thursday to warn passing commercial ships of special arrangements in the waters of Jiangnan shipyard – something that happened when the previous carrier, the Shandong, was launched or floated in 2017.
A notice by the administration dated June 2 said a deep excavation project of the Jiangnan shipbuilding company would be postponed to June 30, citing “operational needs” as the reason.
Two independent sources close to the Chinese military said there might be technical problems related to the next phase of the construction of the vessel, which is equipped with cutting-edge equipment and technology.
However, satellite images and analysis published by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington on Friday indicated that the dry dock where the warship is positioned has been cleared of other shipbuilding projects, leaving an open path to the Yangtze River.
