With the launch of the Type 003 aircraft carrier expected within the next few months, rumor has it that China has already started the construction of the 4th aircraft carrier for China's PLAN.
Is the rumor true? And if so, where is the 4th aircraft carrier being constructed?
Would the 4th aircraft carrier going to be the 2nd member of the Type 003 class, or the 1st member of the new Type 004 class?
In relation, would the Type 004 class also be IEP powered, nuclear powered, or hybrid nuclear-IEP powered?
This is because I am genuinely confused by a number of conflicting information and reports, such as:
1. Type 004 would be nuclear powered;
2. Type 004 would still be IEP powered/hybrid nuclear-IEP powered;
3. There would be an even newer Type 005 that would be nuclear powered;
4. China gave up on developing nuclear propulsion system for their aircraft carriers, meaning that no Chinese aircraft carriers would ever be nuclear powered;
etc.