Chinese Navy Lags Behind US in Underwater Aircraft Recovery, Risks Exposing Secrets
February 15, 2026
China’s navy still does not have the advanced underwater equipment or readiness needed to recover carrier-based aircraft in crashes, warns a military magazine connected to China’s biggest shipbuilder. The article highlights a serious risk: "Military aircraft also often carry important classified weapons and avionics information from various countries, which may be reverse-analysed by enemy nations," it states. This risk grows as China builds more advanced aircraft carriers, allowing the PLA Navy to operate further from its coastal waters. With increased open-sea operations, crash chances rise, exposing China’s sensitive military technology to potential enemy capture.
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Tags:
Chinese Navy
Us Navy
Underwater Aircraft Recovery
Pla Navy
Military technology
Carrier-Based Aircraft
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