Military sources have revealed that construction on China’s third aircraft carrier, CV-18, commenced in a Shanghai shipyard last year, with work on its hull expected to continue for the next two years. With an expected displacement of about 80,000 tonnes-10,000 tonnes more than Beijing’s first carrier, the Type 001, Liaoning—the vessel will also feature an electromagnetic aircraft launch system that is more advanced than the Soviet-designed skijump systems used by aircraft on its two aircraft carriers. The layout of CV-18 is also going to differ from its two predecessors, including a smaller tower island command centre to allow for the carrier-based JF-15 fighters, which are rather large aircraft.