xxxBe interesting to find out more about the carriers. Whether its displacement is the same as the Shi Lang (60,000 tons), or closer to the Nimitz (100,000 tons). And whether the two new carriers will be nuclear.xxx
Ever heard of the saying “Never Put All Your Eggs In One Basket”?
My bet is this: Despite all of the commotions (artist’s conceptuals over Chinese Internets) of big and aggressive Chinese ideas of 100,000 tonners or better and nuclear is fundamentally, affordability-wise, just not an option for many country’s — the ChiComs inclusive.
I’m betting they will stick to the “CHEAP”, “DIME-A-DOZEN”, and “HIGHLY EXPENDABLE”, Varyag class philosophy and concept and — they will stick to the philosophy of numerosity over unit size superiority.
The US itself had studied the idea of going lighter in the late 90’s early 2000 but whatever become of that idea is anyone’s guess.
The issue would be, whether 100,000 ton is practicial or not, which, it is possible that a 60,000 ton ship would be better. But I don't know for sure since I don't study military strategy enough to say one way or another. But I do believe China will eventually develop a nuclear powered carrier. The advantages are, of course, that the ship can operate for a very long time without refueling.