China's new naval powerhouse: The Fujian aircraft carrier sets sail - Times of India

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China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, prepares to set out for maiden sea trials from Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard.

On May 1, 2024, China marked a significant milestone in its naval expansion with the maiden sea trial of the Fujian, its largest and most sophisticated aircraft carrier to date. Departing from Shanghai's Jiangnan Shipyard, the Fujian represents the latest advancement in China's growing naval capabilities, reflecting its broader strategic ambitions in the Pacific region and beyond.

As tensions simmer in areas like the

South China Sea

and near Taiwan, the deployment of the Fujian underscores Beijing's push to fortify its maritime presence and challenge the prevailing US-led naval order.

This event is particularly poignant as it not only showcases China's indigenous military technological advancements but also signals a shift towards a more assertive maritime strategy. Here's a closer look at the Fujian's capabilities and how it stands in comparison to the United States' premier aircraft carriers:

Features and capabilities of the Fujian:

• Size and design: The Fujian, China's third aircraft carrier, is a leap forward in size and design, featuring a full-length, flat flight deck and an advanced catapult-launch system.
• Electromagnetic catapults: Unlike its predecessors that used ski-jump launch systems, the Fujian is equipped with state-of-the-art electromagnetic catapults, enhancing its ability to launch more aircraft with heavier payloads and more fuel.
• Indigenous development: This carrier is entirely designed and built in China, showcasing significant advancements in domestic military technology.
• Strategic intent: Named after the province facing Taiwan, the Fujian's deployment is seen as a direct message to the self-ruled island and a demonstration of China's blue-water naval capabilities.
• Testing and trials: The initial sea trials focus on the carrier's propulsion, electrical systems, and navigation capabilities, with further tests on aircraft launch systems planned for subsequent phases.
• Operational timeline: While the Fujian has begun sea trials, it is expected to undergo extensive testing before being fully operational, potentially taking several years.
• Future plans: The Fujian is part of China's plan to expand its carrier fleet, aiming for six carriers by 2035, which would make it the world's second-largest blue-water navy.
• Technological innovations: The success of the Fujian's new systems could influence future Chinese carriers, including potentially nuclear-powered ones.
• Military presence: Once operational, the Fujian will enable a continuous Chinese naval presence in key strategic waters.
• Threat perception: Taiwan's defense ministry has expressed concerns over the increased threat posed by the Fujian in potential regional conflicts.

Eye on Taiwan

• China is significantly ramping up its naval capabilities, aiming to extend its influence across the Pacific and pose a challenge to the prevailing US-led alliance structure.
• According to a Congressional Research Service report, this military expansion is strategically focused on "addressing the situation with Taiwan militarily, if need be" and on "achieving a greater degree of control or domination over China's near-seas region, particularly the South China Sea."
• The enhancement of the Chinese navy also seeks to thwart "US intervention in a conflict in China's near-seas region over Taiwan or some other issue, or failing that, delay the arrival or reduce the effectiveness of intervening US forces," the report further specifies.
• Analysts from the Washington-based think tank CSIS have noted that the Fujian, China's latest aircraft carrier, is likely to be equipped with advanced launch systems. These systems will enable the deployment of jets capable of carrying heavier payloads and more fuel.
• They have also observed that "the vessel is slated to become the largest surface combatant in the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy and significantly upgrade China's naval capabilities."

Comparison with the US's best: USS Gerald R Ford

• Technology: Like the Fujian, the USS Gerald R Ford features an electromagnetic catapult system, a significant upgrade from the steam catapults used in older US carriers.
• Size and power: The Ford-class carriers are significantly larger, with the USS Gerald R Ford displacing 100,000 tons compared to the Fujian's 80,000 tons, allowing for more aircraft to be onboard.
• Nuclear power: Unlike the Fujian, which uses conventional propulsion, the Ford is nuclear-powered, giving it a strategic advantage in endurance and operational range.
• Operational capability: The USS Gerald R Ford has already been commissioned and is undergoing real-world operations, whereas the Fujian is still in the early stages of testing.
• Fleet composition: Only the United States surpasses China in the number of such vessels, with 11 aircraft carriers and nine aircraft-carrying amphibious assault ships.

As China's Fujian begins its journey, its capabilities and the pace of development will be closely watched. The evolving dynamics of naval power in the Pacific will undoubtedly influence future military and geopolitical strategies in the region, highlighting the ongoing competition between major powers like China and the United States.

(With inputs from agencies)