China, who currently holds the largest naval force in the world, is developing an aircraft carrier with capabilities rivalling the United States’ carriers.

Satellite images of what appears to be China’s third aircraft carrier model nearly completed at the Jiangnan shipyard in Shanghai, China, were released by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a US-based think tank, on Nov. 9.

The CSIS estimates that the carrier dubbed Type 003 will be ready for launch in three to six months.

The US Department of Defense (DOD) initially estimated that the Type 003 would be put into active service by 2023 but has since changed their estimate to 2024.

According to CSIS senior fellow Matthew Funaiole, this is going to be China’s “first foray into a modern aircraft carrier” as it is believed to be capable of rivaling the US’ own aircraft launching technology.

Furthermore, Funaiole also believes that the Type 003 would be run on “conventional steam propulsion.”

China’s previous carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong, entered service in 2012 and 2019, respectively.

The Liaoning, which was bought from Ukraine in 1998, was upgraded by China prior to commissioning in 2012.

However, the two older models are thought to be based on outdated Soviet technology and outnumbered by the 11 nuclear-powered carriers operated by the US Navy.