Why do China and other powers still want aircraft carriers?

China's naval power continues its rapid expansion, with satellite images revealing its fourth aircraft carrier is fast taking shape in a Dalian shipyard. This new vessel, designated Type 004, is anticipated to be nuclear-powered and equipped with electromagnetic catapults, significantly enhancing its aircraft launch capacity. According to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, the carrier could feature four launch catapults and a third aircraft elevator, bringing its capabilities closer to those of America's most advanced carriers.

This significant investment in aircraft carriers underscores their enduring status as symbols of military might, despite the growing prominence of drone swarms and stealth submarines in modern warfare. Nations including France, Turkey, India, and Japan also continue to invest in these formidable warships. The vulnerability of large surface vessels to drones and missiles has been highlighted in recent conflicts, yet the strategic and symbolic value of aircraft carriers appears to outweigh these concerns for major global powers.

The development of China's naval fleet is a key aspect of its broader military modernization. The construction of the Type 004 carrier signifies Beijing's ambition to project power and maintain a strong presence in regional and global waters. While technological advancements are shifting the landscape of naval warfare, the aircraft carrier remains a central component of national defense strategies for many countries.

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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.