China has unveiled ambitious plans for a futuristic space warship that it claims could one day deploy unmanned fighter jets and launch hypersonic missiles from near space.
State media on Tuesday released a computer generated video showcasing the proposed Luanniao carrier racing along the edge of the atmosphere, firing missiles and launching multiple jets in a dramatic display. The design resembles a massive triangular spacecraft, drawing comparisons to imagery from the “Star Wars” film franchise.
According to Beijing, the Luanniao would be nearly 800 feet long, making it the largest warship of its kind in the world. State media reported that the carrier would be capable of carrying up to 88 unmanned Xuan Nu fighter jets.
China also claimed the advanced carrier could become operational within the next 30 years as part of its broader push to expand air and space capabilities. The project is being developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China and is described as one of the country’s most ambitious aerospace initiatives to date.
However, the plans have attracted scepticism from defence analysts, who have dismissed the proposal as unrealistic and primarily intended for propaganda purposes.
“For the external audience, it does paint the picture that they are working on technology that the region just can’t aspire to – it’s literally Star Wars stuff,” defence expert Peter Layton told the UK’s Telegraph.
Layton, a visiting fellow at Australia’s Griffith Asia Institute, said the technology required to build such a platform does not currently exist. He noted that it would demand “enormous amounts of fuel” and rely on propulsion systems that are not yet in development.
He added that Beijing has a long history of using high profile defence announcements and imagery to “inspire the Chinese public” and project itself as a global leader in technological innovation.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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