Shandong CV-17 Aircraft Carrier

Full Specifications

Shandong CV-17: China’s First Indigenous Carrier

The Shandong (CV-17) represents a major milestone in China’s naval modernization, marking the country’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier and a key asset in the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) expanding blue-water ambitions. Commissioned in December 2019, the carrier builds upon the design of China’s first carrier, Liaoning, offering improved aviation facilities, a larger flight deck, and enhanced combat readiness. For U.S. defense watchers, Shandong reflects Beijing’s rapid progress toward achieving sustained carrier-based operations in the Western Pacific.

Constructed by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) in China, Shandong is a conventional-powered STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) carrier designed primarily for regional power projection, maritime security, and air superiority missions. The ship supports an expanded air wing that includes J-15 multirole fighters, Z-18 transport helicopters, and Z-9 ASW platforms, giving China increased reach across contested waters such as the South China Sea.

The carrier features a ski-jump ramp for fighter launches, a redesigned island structure for better deck management, and advanced command-and-control systems for air operations. Although it lacks catapult launch systems like EMALS on U.S. carriers, Shandong provides China with greater operational capacity than its predecessor, enabling more frequent flight operations and improved sortie generation.

In terms of defense, the ship incorporates HQ-10 short-range surface-to-air missiles, Type 1130 CIWS, electronic warfare suites, and decoy systems designed to protect against incoming threats. While not equivalent to U.S. supercarriers in power projection or endurance, Shandong significantly strengthens China’s regional military posture.

With increasing deployments in the South China Sea and Western Pacific, Shandong plays a critical role in shaping China’s maritime strategy, signaling a steady move toward a multi-carrier fleet designed to challenge established naval powers.