Recently, the renowned U.S. military media, "Naval News," noticed that photos showed two 903A-type comprehensive supply ships, numbered 892 and 893, have been commissioned into the South China Sea Fleet of the Chinese Navy in Zhanjiang. Moreover, the new batch of 903A has made slight adjustments compared to previous batches. "Naval News" stated that China has built 2 903s and 7 903As, and more 903As are still under construction. After all of them are commissioned, the Chinese Navy is expected to have 14 903-series supply ships.

But this is not enough. With less than 20 supply ships combined, it is really difficult to meet the needs of the Chinese Navy's long-range operations. How far is the open sea? It directly determines how large the supply ships need to be. When the People's Liberation Army Navy moves across oceans like the U.S. Navy, it would need to build 10, 20, or even 30 of the 40,000-ton 901-class supply ships!

"Naval News" said that the new batch of 903A-type comprehensive supply ships has some minor improvements compared to previous batches. The bridge wings on both sides of the bridge have been redesigned and set at the same level as the bridge ceiling, with a roof that is flat. Other than that, there seem to be no obvious changes. The bridge wings on both sides block less, providing an unobstructed view, which is especially useful during docking, mooring operations, navigating narrow waterways, or conducting maritime resupply. These are minor adjustments in practical use.

It can be said that as a 20,000-ton supply ship, the 903A-type comprehensive supply ship has quite good overall performance, and the number of 14 built looks pretty impressive, but it's still not enough.

In most people's minds, the Soviet Navy didn't go far, but this doesn't mean that the number of supply ships built by the Soviet Navy was small.

The Soviet Navy gradually built 20-30 supply ships, including one 1833-type Berezina River-class comprehensive supply ship with a full load displacement of 36,000 tons, four 160-type Dubna River-class fleet oilers with a full load displacement of about 11,000 tons, six 1559V-type Boris Chilkin-class oil and water supply ships with a full load displacement of 24,000 tons, in addition to a group of 8,000-ton Udka-class supply ships and 6,000- to 7,000-ton Altai-class fleet oilers.

It can be said that the various supply ships built by the Soviet Navy were indeed not few. For a long time, the number of supply ships of the Soviet Navy was much higher than that of the People's Liberation Army Navy. It is only in recent years, with the rapid commissioning of the 903s, that the tonnage of the People's Liberation Army Navy's supply ships has surpassed that of the Soviet Navy.

As the world's only superpower, the U.S. Navy's number of supply ships is truly astonishing.

The U.S. Navy has 14 Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ships (T-AKE) with a full load displacement of 41,000 to 45,000 tons; four built, two currently in service, with a full load displacement of 48,000 to 49,000 tons, the Supply-class fast combat support ships (T-AOE); 14 Henry J. Kaiser-class fuel oilers (T-AO) with a full load displacement of 40,000 to 42,000 tons; and one John Lewis-class fuel oiler (T-AO) with a full load displacement of 49,800 tons, nearly 50,000 tons.

It can be said that these 34 supply ships combined amount to a total displacement of 1,483,000 tons! The total scale of the combat vessel formations is no less formidable. In fact, the vast number of these large-scale supply ships is one of the main reasons why the U.S. Navy has fewer combat vessels. The further you go, the more complex the support becomes.

The number of combat vessels can only determine the strength of a country's home defense capability. These seemingly unremarkable supply ships are precisely the core equipment for a major navy to go to sea. Without the existence of supply ships, either you have to build naval bases along the way, or you just stay within your own territory.

For the People's Liberation Army Navy, the importance of supply ships is even greater compared to the U.S. Navy, since China does not have as many overseas military bases as the U.S. At present, the number of 052D destroyers in the People's Liberation Army Navy has exceeded 30, and the total number of various frigates with Aegis systems has exceeded 50. The number of 054A + 054B frigates is about to exceed 50.

The U.S. Navy has 71 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, three Zumwalt-class destroyers, plus 7 Ticonderoga-class cruisers, 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, and 9 amphibious assault ships. However, the U.S. Navy has a total of 34 supply ships of various types. The number of supply ships of the U.S. Navy is almost half of the number of combat vessels. So what about the Chinese Navy? Even if we take a ratio of 3:1, it would require about 30 supply ships, right?

Therefore, it can be seen that 901 and 903A should continue to be built. Not to mention anything else, the 903A-type comprehensive supply ship is really not enough to satisfy the 075 and 076! To support these five flat-top ships, it's necessary to build more 901s, right? As for the 903A to meet the needs of the large number of 052D and 054A destroyers, it definitely needs to continue being built.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7613077861360009743/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.