The U.S. Navy will undoubtedly respond to the deployment of China's second aircraft carrier, the CNS Shandong (CV-17) by 2020 at the earliest, by sending a fourth carrier air wing to reinforce the three already patrolling Asian waters.

The Shandong has been object of intense media speculation, especially among Chinese state-owned media, because it's China's first indigenous aircraft carrier. More important, it will become the most powerful warship of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) when it becomes operational.

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But against four U.S. Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carriers with 10 times the number of jets it has, the Shandong won't be expected to eagerly seek combat with the Americans should push come to shove in the South China Sea.

And, in accord with China's anti-access, area denial (A2/AD) strategy, Shandong can be expected to seek battle within the 1, 500 km coverage of China's ballistic anti-ship missile defense system based on the mainland. That means the Shandong will stay inside the disputed South China Sea and won't venture beyond the "First Island Chain."

Like PLAN's first carrier, the CNS Liaoning (CV-16), Shandong will be of value as a propaganda symbol of China's rising naval power. As a combat asset, its value is close to nothing against the U.S. Navy.

Chinese state media recently announced a speeding-up of the commissioning of Shandong to 2019, which remains unlikely given construction of the carrier has been described as proceeding as scheduled to meet the original 2020 deadline.

Latest news says the Shandong is "taking shape" and the carrier will be used to deal with "complicated situations in the South China Sea" once it becomes operational.

Shandong will become the flagship of both the North Sea Fleet and the East Sea Fleet of the PLAN.

Analysts believe the Shandong will displace between 60,000 to 70,000 tons. Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company in Liaoning began building the carrier in 2015.

Shandong will probably carry 48 aircraft, a number larger than that of the Liaoning, which can take 36 aircraft. Shandong will house up to 32 Shenyang J-15 multi-role fighters, a huge boost to its offensive firepower, with the other aircraft complement remaining more or less the same.

TagsU.S. Navy, CNS Shandong (CV-17), People's Liberation Army Navy, anti-access, area denial, A2/AD