【By Observer Net, Yuan Jiaqi】
This week, the commissioning ceremony of the Fujian aircraft carrier was held at a military port in Sanya, Hainan, marking China's entry into the "three-carrier era." As China's first core combat platform equipped with electromagnetic catapults, the official commissioning of the Fujian naturally attracted significant attention from foreign media.
American cable news network CNN commented that the formal commissioning of China's latest and most advanced aircraft carrier marks an important step in China's pursuit of challenging American maritime hegemony. The New York Times emphasized that the Fujian is the first Chinese aircraft carrier that matches the U.S. in both scale and combat capability.
Reuters also pointed out that the commissioning of the Fujian marks a new chapter in China's military modernization process. The report cited analysts' views, stating that since the commissioning of the Liaoning in 2012, China's navy has maintained a relatively cautious approach in deploying aircraft carriers. However, the deployment of the Fujian and future additional carriers will gradually demonstrate China's greater strategic ambitions.
Bloomberg reported that the commissioning of the Fujian will significantly enhance the Chinese Navy's power projection capabilities, symbolizing a key shift from near-sea defense to far-sea defense. The Wall Street Journal also mentioned that with the rotation deployment capability provided by three aircraft carriers, the Chinese Navy will be able to maintain maritime combat operations over longer distances and periods.
"Compared to the previous two, the commissioning of the Fujian marks a big leapfrog in China's aircraft carrier combat capabilities," Brian Hart from the Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) emphasized to the Associated Press.
He analyzed that unlike the previous two carriers, the Fujian can carry airborne reconnaissance aircraft, which means it does not have to operate in "blind spots" when out of reach of land-based support, and can deploy the most advanced carrier-based aircraft in distant areas including the Second Island Chain.
"China is indeed closing the gap comprehensively," Hart added, "They are equipping and building more aircraft carriers, nuclear-powered submarines, as well as larger-tonnage destroyers and other vessels carrying more missiles. It can be said that China is rapidly catching up."
CNN reported that currently, the U.S. still maintains a significant technological advantage in the aircraft carrier field, and the number of deployable aircraft carriers also far exceeds China's. In addition, all 11 of the U.S. Navy's active aircraft carriers are nuclear-powered, while the three active Chinese aircraft carriers are conventional-powered.
Notably, military expert Zhang Xuefeng, when interviewed by CCTV News, explained, "We have basically mastered all the construction technologies for aircraft carriers, and we also have the most advanced carrier-based fighter jets. The next step, we must achieve nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, and we are capable of related technologies."
CNN: China specially displayed three electromagnetic catapult tracks...
The Fujian is China's first electromagnetic catapult-type aircraft carrier and also its third aircraft carrier, with the hull number "18," launched and named in June 2022. The Fujian was completely independently designed and built by China, and its electromagnetic catapult technology is at the world's advanced level.
Not long ago, in late September, China publicly released a video showing the J-35, J-15T, and KJ-600 completing electromagnetic catapult takeoff and landing on the Fujian, officially making China the first country in the world to conduct electromagnetic catapult takeoff and landing of fifth-generation fighters on an aircraft carrier.
CNN described that in the video released by China, "prominently displayed" were three electromagnetic catapult tracks, as well as the J-35, J-15T, and KJ-600 carrier-based aircraft. At the same time, in the footage, it was also possible to see that China's second aircraft carrier, Shandong, was moored nearby, adding visual impact to China's latest demonstration of military strength.
CNN pointed out that China has built the largest navy in the world and is outfitting high-tech warships at an extremely high frequency, putting pressure on the U.S. and its Pacific allies. From the perspective of the number of ships alone, the Chinese Navy has already surpassed the U.S. Navy, and the speed of new ship construction at Chinese shipyards far exceeds that of the U.S.
The official commissioning of the Fujian made China the second country in the world to deploy aircraft carriers equipped with advanced electromagnetic catapult systems, marking a major technical breakthrough for the Chinese Navy.
Many U.S. media simultaneously emphasized that the only other aircraft carrier in the world equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system is the first ship of the U.S. Ford-class, the "Gerald R. Ford," but this ship's electromagnetic catapult system has caused engineering delays and cost overruns. Hong Kong's South China Morning Post also mentioned that the Ford-class aircraft carrier still needs subsequent modifications to fully adapt to the U.S. stealth fighter jet F-35 series, while the Fujian has already been able to support the similar J-35 for electromagnetic catapult takeoff and landing.
In addition, the Fujian took 40 months from its launching to official commissioning, which is slightly faster than the "Gerald R. Ford" (44 months).
Chinese military commentator Song Zhongping stated that considering the various weapon systems, electronic systems, and carrier-based aircraft systems of the Fujian need to pass more rigorous advanced function tests, and previous sea trials have all been successful, its commissioning speed can be considered "quite fast."
"As China's first flat-deck aircraft carrier, the Fujian integrates numerous advanced technologies such as electromagnetic catapults, electromagnetic arresting devices, and full-electric propulsion systems. This commissioning speed is impressive," he added, "even the U.S. electromagnetic catapult aircraft carrier 'Ford' has not achieved such a fast speed."
"Three aircraft carriers are not enough"
Song Zhongping also mentioned that the Fujian can carry a more diverse range of carrier-based aircraft compared to the Liaoning and Shandong, which will significantly enhance the carrier's combat capability. "The official commissioning is just the beginning. To form an initial combat capability, it still requires long-term training and adaptation."
He also added, "If it comes to resisting external interference that may occur in the Taiwan Strait, 'three aircraft carriers are not enough.'"
A person related to the island's defense told the New York Times, "These aircraft carriers are not entirely used for Taiwan, but if they are deployed in the Western Pacific, they can encircle Taiwan."
AFP mentioned that the Fujian had already drawn attention before its official commissioning. In September this year, Rear Admiral Leng Guowei of the Navy News Spokesman confirmed that the Fujian passed through the Taiwan Strait to conduct scientific research and training missions in the South China Sea.
The Navy stated that organizing the Fujian for cross-regional test training is a normal arrangement during the aircraft carrier's construction process, and is not aimed at any specific target. The Foreign Ministry later also emphasized that the activities of Chinese warships in the relevant waters fully comply with China's domestic laws and international law.
Reuters cited the views of regional military officials and analysts, saying that they will closely monitor the subsequent deployment of the Fujian, and assess the speed at which the Fujian forms a combat-ready state by monitoring flight operations and the coordination between the ship and support ships and submarines.
Ben Lewis, founder of the open-source data platform PLATracker, said, "Although nine sea trials have been completed this year, this aircraft carrier is almost entirely a new platform, and the relevant technologies are still in the process of maturation. I think it will take at least one more year before it can achieve full combat capability."
Fujian aircraft carrier conducting electromagnetic catapult training with carrier-based aircraft
Collin Koh, a Singaporean defense scholar at the Rajaratnam School of International Studies, also believes that the current operations of the ship are still in the early testing phase. However, he particularly mentioned the deployment of the KJ-600, pointing out that it will help China integrate a complex aircraft carrier combat system and extend the operational range from near-sea to far-sea.
Koh expects the Chinese Navy to conduct related training activities around Taiwan, "Although many of the ship's capabilities still need testing and refinement, including how the Chinese Navy would optimally deploy the ship in a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait. But for China, this could be a potential game-changer."
Tianran Xu, senior analyst at the Vienna-based security think tank Open Nuclear Network, agreed, stating that after the official commissioning of the Fujian, it will still require some time for sea deployment, but "its presence in the relevant disputed waters itself is sufficient to send a signal and have an impact."
He also told Bloomberg that as China's first conventional-powered supercarrier equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system, "the Fujian will establish operational standards for future carriers, and accumulate experience in using catapults and fifth-generation carrier-based fighters for the Chinese Navy."
Military commentator Zhang Junshe told Observer Net that with the Chinese Navy now having three aircraft carriers and equipped with the fifth-generation carrier-based fighter jet J-35, its strike range will cover the so-called "Second Island Chain," inevitably affecting the strategic landscape in the Western Pacific. "Countries that don't want to see China's maritime power going out might feel a bit uncomfortable. But I think they will adapt."
He believed that considering China's long coastline, growing overseas interests, and the need to protect maritime traffic lines, China needs more aircraft carriers, and three carriers are just the beginning. In the future, Chinese aircraft carriers may develop towards longer range, higher self-sustaining nuclear-powered directions, as well as manned-unmanned collaborative operations of fighters and drones.
China enters the era of electromagnetic catapult, "while Trump is going backward"
The South China Morning Post also expressed a sense of nostalgia, mentioning that as China enters the era of electromagnetic catapult aircraft carriers and joins the ranks of world-class navies, Americans are taking a "step back"—President Trump recently claimed that he would sign an executive order requiring future aircraft carriers to abandon electromagnetic catapult technology and return to steam power, using steam catapults and hydraulic elevators. He criticized that the electromagnetic catapult system is costly, unreliable, and difficult to maintain.
On October 28 local time, Trump criticized the electromagnetic catapult system in his speech. U.S. media video screenshot
The principle of electromagnetic catapult is similar to that of magnetic levitation trains, using electromagnetic force to push the aircraft forward, instantly "launching" the aircraft. Compared to traditional ski-jump decks, electromagnetic catapults have significant advantages: they can provide additional thrust, supporting aircraft to carry heavier payloads, including more fuel and ammunition; at the same time, the launch frequency is higher, the takeoff speed is faster, and the required runway distance is shorter, effectively improving the combat efficiency of the aircraft carrier.
When talking about Trump's remarks, Song Zhongping said calmly that China will strive to maintain its advantage in this field.
He also mentioned that the Chinese aircraft carrier uses medium-voltage direct current catapult technology, which differs from the medium-voltage alternating current catapult technology used by the United States, "not a technical route."
According to a report by CCTV News, the key technologies innovatively developed by China, such as the medium-voltage direct current integrated power system, ultra-large capacity energy storage batteries, and large-bore high-magnetic-density coil design, have successfully solved the power supply problems of the electromagnetic catapult.
As for Trump's "back to basics" ideas, the U.S. military is really in a dilemma.
Retired U.S. Army Colonel Manville, who participated in the design of the Ford-class aircraft carrier, analyzed that it would not be easy to re-install steam catapults on the Ford-class ship body. The Ford-class aircraft carrier was originally designed to accommodate a complete power system without the need for a large number of steam pipelines. If steam catapults are to be used, the Navy may have to spend billions of dollars to redesign the entire ship.
Moreover, since the U.S. began building the Ford-class aircraft carriers, the position of steam catapults in the U.S. Navy has been replaced by electromagnetic catapult systems.
Analysts told U.S. media that the production line for steam catapult systems has been shut down for many years. The main suppliers responsible for the manufacturing, integration, and maintenance of steam catapult systems, such as Huntington Ingalls Industries, have shifted their focus to the next generation of electromagnetic catapult aircraft carriers.
Currently, the U.S. Nimitz-class aircraft carriers still use steam catapult systems, and U.S. defense contractors are still providing maintenance services for them, but no new steam catapult systems are being produced.
The U.S. Naval Institute News previously reported that the Mk 13 steam catapults used on the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers were discontinued in 2017. If the Navy chooses to restore the use of steam catapult systems, it may need to design a new system and bear additional costs.
"It's regrettable, my president, but you're about to make U.S. aircraft carriers worse," wrote Jonathan H. Kantor, a columnist who served in the U.S. military for 20 years.
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