There's been a big stir in the military fan circle recently! The Fujian aircraft carrier has been painted with the hull number "18", and red viewing stands have been set up at the dock, with naval personnel busy rehearsing the ceremony — it's clearly about to be officially commissioned! As China's first catapult-type aircraft carrier, its debut brings up a tough question: if it goes far out to sea, can it beat the US super carriers?

First, understand: How is the Fujian different from previous carriers?

To discuss whether it can fight, we need to first understand the Fujian's strengths. Previously, the Liaoning and Shandong were ski-jump takeoff, like airplanes accelerating on a slope, so the carrier-based aircraft couldn't carry too much fuel and weapons, limiting their operational range and combat power. But the Fujian is different; it uses electromagnetic catapults, which are like a "super spring" for the planes, solving this major issue instantly.

Previously, satellite photos had already revealed that the Fujian's deck was equipped with four types of eight key aircraft: the J-35 stealth fighter, the J-15DT electronic warfare aircraft, the KJ-600 early warning aircraft, and the shipboard helicopter. This isn't just for show but represents a complete "carrier strike combination," marking the first time China's carrier strike group core capabilities have been fully unveiled.

Many people immediately ask, "Can the Fujian beat the Ford class?" Actually, that question is wrong. Modern naval warfare is no longer just two carriers fighting face-to-face; it's about an entire combat system. To determine who wins, we need to look at three key dimensions:

First, whose "eyes" can see further? In carrier battles, the one who spots the enemy first will win. The KJ-600 early warning aircraft on the Fujian can clearly see situations hundreds of kilometers away, like giving the fleet a "千里眼" (a pair of eyes that see thousands of miles). The US's equivalent is the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. Let's say it this way: both have similar detection capabilities, but Chinese radar technology is better, meaning we no longer have to worry about being sneaked up on.

Second, whose "bodyguards" are more powerful? Carriers never fight alone; they need a protective fleet. When the Fujian departs, it will definitely be accompanied by the 055-type 10,000-ton destroyer. This ship is no ordinary vessel; it is equipped with the YJ-21 hypersonic anti-ship missile, with a range over 1,000 km, posing a serious threat to the US carriers — a tough challenge even for the US Navy.

Third, whose "fist" is stronger? Carrier-based aircraft are the carrier's fists. Our J-35 is a stealth fighter, comparable to the US F-35C of the same generation. Previously, we had a technological gap in carrier-based aircraft, but now that's completely closed. Plus, the J-15DT can specifically interfere with enemy radars, making them "blind," and this combination punch delivers significant impact.

A US Navy war college expert who studies the Chinese navy said very honestly: "The significance of the Fujian isn't that a single ship can beat the Ford class, but rather that China's navy can finally deploy a complete carrier strike group in the open ocean for the first time."

Common explanation: What are our real strengths and gaps?

Let's start with the good news. The Fujian's "latecomer advantage" is not exaggerated. The most important thing is the electromagnetic catapult. The US Ford class's electromagnetic catapults often malfunction, resulting in low availability, while ours has better reliability and efficiency. It is said that the Fujian can launch a plane into the air in 45 seconds, and the maximum number of sorties per day can reach over 90% of that of the US nuclear-powered carriers, maintaining strong sustained combat capability without falling behind.

Even more formidable is our "ace combination": the radar on the KJ-600 is more advanced than the US E-2D, allowing it to see farther and resist interference better; the J-35's stealth and maneuverability are slightly superior to the F-35C; plus the 055 destroyer's hypersonic missile, which can travel at 6-8 times the speed of sound, something the US current defense systems cannot intercept. It's like we have a "secret weapon" that allows us to spot and strike first.

Of course, we must also objectively admit the gaps and avoid blind hype. The US has 11 nuclear-powered super carriers and decades of experience in long-range operations, with military bases around the world. While the Fujian is conventionally powered, it is less convenient for long-term overseas deployment compared to nuclear-powered vessels; our carrier-based pilot corps is still growing, and experience in long-range operations needs to be gradually accumulated.

In fact, we don't need to compete with the US globally on the number of carriers, because the Fujian's positioning is clear. It creates a "non-equivalent advantage" in key areas such as the South China Sea and the eastern part of Taiwan. With it, along with shore-based missiles and nuclear submarines, we can build an unbreakable "defense network."

More importantly, the commissioning of the Fujian marks China's navy's official transition from "coastal defense" to "blue water presence." It is not just a warship, but a symbol of China's ability to project power overseas, and the confidence to protect maritime rights and interests.

As for whether it can beat the US super carriers? The answer is simple: in our home waters, no one will get away with it. And as we move toward the open ocean, this is just the first step. However, with the support of the space-based satellite reconnaissance network, the range of carrier-based aircraft, their stealth performance, and the hypersonic missiles on the 055 destroyers, we can defeat any opponent using non-equivalent combat methods.

You're not seeing things wrong — the Fujian today has the strength to eliminate any opponent, because the Chinese navy has defined the style of naval combat. The operating range of the opponent's carrier-based aircraft is too short to match our ultra-long-range hypersonic missiles.

In summary, the Fujian has just opened the "door to the deep blue," but our starting point is high enough to be ahead of the rest.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7569159398313050639/

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