Apr 15th 2011, 2:03:44
The Royal Navy is currently in the process of decommissioning its Invincible Class Carriers. Of the three ships in that class, two have already been decommissioned. Only the HMS Illustrious remains in service.
HMS Illustrious is currently serving as a Helicopter Landing Platform until 2014 when HMS Ocean is due to finish her re-fit and fill that role. At that point, HMS Illustrious is expected to be retired.
The UK is currently constructing two carriers in the Queen Elizabeth class. However, only the first of these (the HMS Queen Elizabeth) is sure to enter service with the Royal Navy. When the current government entered power, it wished the scrap the second ship in the class. However, cancellation penalties meant that it will actually be cheaper for the government to build both ships.
The fate of the second ship is uncertain. It may enter "extended readiness" or simply be sold to another friendly nation immediately upon its launch.
Both of these ships were originally meant to be STOVL platforms. However, it has since been announced that the HMS Queen Elizabeth will be built in a CATOBAR configuration. It is unclear what design the second ship will follow.
At present, these ships seem likely to enter service in 2019 and 2020, respetively.
As for China, they are indeed in the process of building two carriers. These ships are expected to displace between 50,000 and 60,000 tonnes. For comparison, the HMS Queen Elizabeth will displace 65,000 tonnes and the upcoming US Ford class carriers will displace 102,000 tonnes.
Obviously this means that these ships will not rival US carriers in size. They will, however, give China appreciable naval air capabilities.
These carriers are not based off any existing design. China has bought a number of derelict carriers from around the world for study, but they are currently constructing based upon original designs.
-Fooglmog
Guy with no clue.